While I enjoyed this book, it did feel a tad disjointed. Overall the individual stories were interesting but the transitions between them were stark. I felt lost between the pages not knowing where I had come from or where I was going next.

I would certainly read more of Taylor's work in the future.

Whit Taylor's collection of three short graphic stories is haunting, but only in that it's stuck with me. The ghosts that appear in these stories are more metaphorical, those of past selves, past experiences, things which have been lost, a feeling of not living up to one's own potential. In the first story, Ghost, our main character may meet three of her idols. Her first two idols are scientific heroes who have challenged her perception of the world. Her third is not who she was expecting to meet, but also challenges her to dig deeper and change her perception from within. The second story, Wallpaper, is illustrated entirely with wall treatments, but chronicles a family's move, a daughter's self-doubt, and the loss of her grandmother. Makers chronicles a close friendship from beginning to fade-out, while also exploring being left behind, transitioning to adulthood, and finding one's path in life. These stories feel unresolved, but in a way that for me felt real and also reflective of experiences in my own life. There is no pithy message, no clear lesson learned, just life and life and life. A great addition to a larger graphic novel collection.

I didn't get this book. I went in for ghosts and got a lesson on Charles Darwin. The "ghosts" mentioned are more philosophical and I'm not a huge fan of the art.
I usually don't leave reviews so short but there isn't anything else really to say.

It isn't that I don't like semi-autobiographic stories. I do. It isn't that I like art that is rough, I can get around that as well.

My problem with this book, a series of three stories is that there is so much left unexplained, and unfinished.

The first one, for which the book is named, is about a woman who can meet three people from the past, for one day. She meets to people from the past, who have long since died, and the third, which I won't spoil for you...yes I will, she meets herself, which, brings up trauma that happened in her past. And that is it. The end. I suppose that is life, but that could have been expanded on.

The second story is about wall paper in the house. And that is about it. I'm sure it was more deep than that, but I didn't get anything out of it.

The third story is of a good friend, who becomes an absent friend, and that is it. It is long and drawn out, and sad, but that is it. No resolution, but then, again, that is how semi-autobiographical stories are. They do not always resolve, but it would have been nice to have a little more or perhaps a little less.

I won't say reading it was a waste of time, but rather that I didn't get it, and that might be just my problem, and others will love it. I'm sure it is all very cleaver, and over my head, or whatever people who love it will say.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

I'm not sure what I expected from this, but this wasn't it. The title story was OK – a young woman gets a chance to meet three spectral mentors, and finds the unexpected in a majorly decent and welcome twist, which is then countered by the muddle that is revealed as a result. The second story is illustrated prose as opposed to strict graphic novel, and shows a girl very keyed into interior décor while adult s**t happens. The final story is the reality of the peripatetic, artistic life of teenagers, and how friendships never last the expected length of time. It's all reasonably well done, but nothing outstanding – enjoyable without lasting in the memory.

Not exactly my taste, but I'm sure there will be a solid fan base for this title. I enjoyed the artistic style.

This is an interestingly designed graphic novel. Not for me, but I know people that will like it.

Low-key autobiographical comics in a naïve or faux-naïve art style aren't generally my bag, but for whatever reason this one really hit home. Maybe it was the strangeness of the first and presumably least directly factual tale, in which the lead is taken on a grand tour by the ghosts of her heroes. Or maybe it was the way the other stories knew exactly the mundane details on which to focus to bring it all flooding back - the memory of childhood wallpapers, the friend who drifts away.

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.

What did I just read? The first story was about a woman who gets to meet 3 dead people for no apparent reason it seems. She picks Darwin, Joseph Campbell, Marilyn Monroe. But Monroe is skipped as the woman's past pops her head up. Instead of Monroe we now get a closer view in the life of this woman, how she has PTSD, how she was assaulted (at least that is what I make up from it all). It was a bit confusing, as I was under the impression there would be 3 idols, and suddenly her past self makes an appearance instead. In the end it did fit, given she had a chance to make peace with her past.

The next story is Wallpaper. About a girl, how she moved, how they remodeled the house. Unlike the first story this one has text (telling us about the move, the remodel, how the girl got used to her new life) on one side, and gorgeous illustrations on the next page. I was a bit sad that it ended so abruptly. I feel there was so much more to be told. It would be nice if this story would be expanded.

The last story is called Makers. About two girls and their unorthodox friendship and how they grow up to adulthood. I loved how close they were together, how easily they formed a bond. I wasn't too amused that Hope never told her best friend about that though. Was she afraid she may not get in because of her friend? Was there something else?
I did feel sorry for Hope, her life at home isn't the easiest. Divorced parents, a dad a big believer, multiple siblings who seem to get more than she does.
But later on? With Hope in college? Tessa trying out work and everything? I hated Hope and how she acted towards Tessa. How she let everyone in her circle but apparently wasn't that interested in Tessa any more. Instead of talking to Tessa it just escalates and then poof.. I just was so unhappy with it. :( The ending was pretty sad.

The art was so-so, well it also really depended on the story. For instance with the first story the art worked, but I didn't like it that much. The anatomy on the people was wonky, at times the backgrounds (if they were there) felt rushed.
The second story however featured some gorgeous illustrations with lovely details. I really loved those.
The third story is back to the wonky art of the first story. Plus at times the text was really hard to read and I either had to squint or just take a guess on what was written. :(

All in all, I am not too sure if I liked it that much. It had some good parts, the art in the second story was magnificent, but there were also many things I didn't like or that confused me.

I adored this book! Perfect whimsical stories for people who like graphic novels or short stories alike. There’s a sense of sadness in the illustrations as well as a classic feel to the stories themselves. I would definitely be interested in reading more of Whit Taylor’s work.

Not exactly my favorite art style, but I did like this comic. It is simultaneously informative, sweet, sad and entertaining. I didn't know anything about Whit Taylor prior to getting a copy of this, but I do like the way she writes. It's definitely an entertaining story to read that touches on deep life events and interesting tidbits from the authors life. It was worth the read for me.