One Hundred Demons

by Lynda Barry

Hardcover, 2002

Call number

GRAPH N BAR

Collection

Graphic Novels

Genres

Comics

Publication

Sasquatch Books (2002), 224 pages

Description

Buddhism teaches that each person must overcome 100 demons in a lifetime. In this collection of 20 comic strips, Lynda Barry wrestles with some of hers in her signature quirky, irrepressible voice. Color illustrations throughout.

Subjects

Comic books, strips, etc

Graphic novels

User reviews

LibraryThing member ghostwire

A beautifully rendered sad and funny book about confronting one's inner demons: heartbreak, joy, humiliation, loss of innocence, cruelty, best friends, school, dysfunctional families, kickball, adolescent angst... Lynda Barry is a genius.

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LibraryThing member dr_zirk

One Hundred Demons is a unique work, and allows the author a forum to share experiences from her "growing up years" that still have emotional impact in her adult life today. As with other works by Lynda Barry, One Hundred Demons is funny, sincere, and thoroughly human, and her simple but beautiful

drawings complement her direct use of language wonderfully.

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LibraryThing member kewpie

I've always loved Lynda Barry comics and I thought this was a unique look into what she went through to grow up and become Lynda Barry. She shares 17 of her "demons" in the form of little chapters. She's so honest, self critical and hilarious. The book has also inspired me to think about my own

"100 demons"

Hmmm.. Something to add to 43things.com? 100 demon challenge? I think so!

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LibraryThing member francescadefreitas

This comic books is a set of 17 vignettes, stories of events, feelings, or people that seem to haunt the author. Each story is self contained, and the author's age hops about a bit, but reading them together builds a picture of her life.

The art is wonderful, bright and vibrant, and each section is

introduced by a richly texture mixed media display - in one case, including a photograph of some child's beloved toy that she found at an airport.

There is a section at the end showing instructions for using an ink stone and Japanese brush to paint your own demon.

I'd give this to people interested in art, in biography, in touching stories.

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LibraryThing member damsorrow

In my dreams of teenage trauma prophylaxis Kathleen Hanna hands me Pussy Whipped and this book as a 13 year old, before I lose my virginity. Avenue D is playing in the background: "Shit, you know they all just want to hit it./They're just talking shit 'cos they want it," which, although nobody will

prank call my house at 3am to call me a slut for a couple years, is a revelation that rings true.I come out of adolescence unscathed.

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LibraryThing member muddy21

The book's title is based on an Oriental painting exercise, which seems to involve exorcising one's personal demons by creating illustrations of their significance. The book is a collection of the author's own demons, though perhaps not quite as many as one hundred.

The book is biographical in many

ways as the demons were all part of her past; but also fiction in many ways as each of us hold memories that are colored by our own perceptions and the distance from which we look back on them.

An entertaining and thought-provoking reflection on one woman's coming-of-age with hints of the adult she has since become.

Rated 4/5.

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LibraryThing member Opheliaimmortal

This is one of the books I can honestly say has significantly changed my life. I'm not entirely sure why. I see in this parts of myself long forgotten and see experiences I will never have. She touches on such simple truths and finds a wonderful way to communicate them with her art style.

I hope

more people discover this and revel it it as I have.

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LibraryThing member bderby

Barry uses both real-life events and fictional embellishments (without telling you which is which) to touch on a wide variety of issues. Some of the topics discussed are change, abuse, suicide, depression, music, drug use, etc. It could encourage students to explore their own 'demons' whether

through fictional means or by telling their own stories.

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LibraryThing member mochap

Lynda Barry is amazing. She captures the poignancy and pain of youth and awkwardness with incredible clarity and pathos. And the pix are amazing, too.

LibraryThing member satyridae

Lynda Barry is brilliant. So is this book. Hard hitting and deeply moving.

LibraryThing member Salsabrarian

Semi-autobiographical graphic novel of Lynda Barry's childhood in Seattle (98144 zip code!). Touching, funny, bittersweet and aching. Memorable chapters: Lynda loses her magic and her best friend Ev; being intrigued by the smells of people's houses; missing a lost stuffed toy or blanket; adopting

an abused dog.

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LibraryThing member Smokler

What a great book! A collection of short illustrated stories, really about the stuff that plagues us and weighs us down. They never head in the direction you think they will but always end up somewhere complete and satisfying. If you love to be in the company of someone who doesn't quite think like

anyone else, Lynda Barry is a magnificent host.

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