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Syncopated: An Anthology of Nonfiction Picto-Essays
The stories in Syncopated challenge convention, provide perspective, and search out secret truths–all in the inviting, accessible form of comics.
Syncopated will give you a daringly different view of the past–from the history of vintage postcards to the glory days of old Coney Island. It will immerse you in fascinating subcultures, from the secret world of graffiti artists ...more
Syncopated will give you a daringly different view of the past–from the history of vintage postcards to the glory days of old Coney Island. It will immerse you in fascinating subcultures, from the secret world of graffiti artists ...more
Paperback, 160 pages
Published
May 19th 2009
by Villard
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Usually anthologies are a mixed-bag quality-wise. You read them knowing that you're going to hit a few duds along the way, and that you need to sort through those in order to find the diamonds in the rough. Syncopated has no such duds. While some of the picto-essays shine a bit brighter than the others, each entry has something to offer. Some illustrate miniature history lessons, while others are more like tiny memoirs. High points include "Boris Rose: Prisoner of Jazz" by Brendan B. a...more
This was a phenomenal collection of stories for its historical relevance rather than its graphical prowess. In fact, forget the graphical portrayal (which I've been harangued for overindulging in recently) that is ultimately the only bond any of these stories have. Rather, look at these small vignettes as an introduction to lesser known pieces of our historical calendar. The historical relevance of a different layout to the typewriter/keyboard...Nate Powell's powerful and spiteful remembrance...more
The best (only) anthology of essayistic comics I've ever read. No real clunkers. Sometimes sort of "meh" form- and content-wise, other times more interesting (graffiti artists in old train tunnels under Riverside Drive park; a profile of a long-time Washington Square chess player; the Tulsa race riots). Most were straight-up, reliable etc, but often seemed thin (unlike essays in the New Yorker etc, per some reviews/blurbs). Not sure if the form works as well for short essays as it does...more
Raina
rated it
Shelves:
adult,
feminist,
funny,
graphic-memoir,
graphic-novel-travelogues,
graphicnovel,
historical,
biographical,
nonfic
A compliation of nonfiction "picto-essays" - basically nonfiction essays in graphic novel form. There's everything in here from a summary of the history of postcards, to illustration of the gitmo torture documents, to a series of portraits of buskers in the NY subway system. Great range, I wanted more, and couldn't believe it was over when it was. Unique slices of life include the story of Boris Rose, a guy who recorded an incredible collection of radio broadcasts of the great jazz ...more
In his introduction editor Brendan Burford explains, "[S:]yncopation literally means that an accent or stress is placed on the weak beat between the usually dominant beats. When music is syncopated, it can offer a whole new perspective on rhythm." Using this definition as a guide, Burford compiled a diverse collection of quality stories. Some of the tales such as the excellent "How and Why to Bale Hay" by Nick Bertozzi offer uniquely personal histories. Others illuminate fasc...more
This volume has an example of one of my favorite kinds of story - the "lost treasure" story, where someone has created or collected something that no one else has, something that without this one person would never have existed and that even despite this person, no one really knows about. I don't know why, really - maybe it's just that I'm a compulsive collector, but I'm always fascinated by stories like this, even when the content of the lost collection is of no innate interest to me...more
I didn't really know what to expect when I began reading "Syncopated" but it turned out to be a very interesting collection of comic pieces, or "picto-essays" with themes ranging from the humorous to the sobering, the strange to the mundane. Each comic is extremely evocative in telling its story, even more impressive that each is nonfictional encomp history, memoir, and journalism. With as wide a variety of art styles as topics each piece was as interesting the read as the la...more
I'd argue that a good number of these aren't "essays" or what I think of as narrative non-fiction. What they are are mostly pleasing to read. The best piece is about the process of hay baling--it uses the graphic form and the first person voice to make what sounded like an utterly boring subject fascinating.
The other standout was the piece on Guantanamo. Simple and powerful.
There was one that relied on a conversation and info-dumping as its narrative method, w...more
The other standout was the piece on Guantanamo. Simple and powerful.
There was one that relied on a conversation and info-dumping as its narrative method, w...more
As is the case with most anthologies, the stories are uneven. I like 3 of them quite a bit. The first story is my favorite. I t is by an old acquaintance Nick Bertozzi and is called "How And Why To Bail Hay " The reason is because I lived that story. I mean really. I could have written that almost word for word. Same time frame and everything .I was in Virginia though and he was in New England. Fun stuff and vivid memories than will be with me always. Erik Peterson,Dvorak and An Encou...more
This is what a GN should aspire to! Out of 17 entries, there were only 2 I found uninteresting. The story on hay-baling took me right back to my shildhood, the story on Guantanamo had simplistic art, but a strong storyline. I studied Erik Erickson in college and never knew this about him! Never knew about Boris Rose! A great read, especially for people interested in NYC history!
The very concept of this book I heartily endorse: a series of picto-essays from different authors on different subjects. What unites them? The graphic format and the desire to share some opinion or slice of life.
While the different contributions were of varying quality, the overall package is very interesting, and I look forward to more of Syncopated.
While the different contributions were of varying quality, the overall package is very interesting, and I look forward to more of Syncopated.
The title of this book jumps through ridiculous hoops to avoid calling itself comics. Picto-essay is perhaps the dumbest term yet. However, I do think there is a lack of non-fiction comics (at least other than bad autobiography) so it is nice to see this short collection. Like all anthologies this one is a mixed bag, but leans toward the quality over the crummy.
Everything from How to Bale Hay to an adoption story from China - this anthology presents a lot of slice-of-life stories that show unique human perspectives.
One of the most fascinating was about Boris Rose who obsessively recorded a lot of early jazz broadcast live on the radio. His family has possession of his recordings - tons of meticulously archived and recorded materials and they've never been heard by anyone but Rose himself.
This is a great non-fiction graphic nov...more
One of the most fascinating was about Boris Rose who obsessively recorded a lot of early jazz broadcast live on the radio. His family has possession of his recordings - tons of meticulously archived and recorded materials and they've never been heard by anyone but Rose himself.
This is a great non-fiction graphic nov...more
amazing book, most of these non-fiction graphic tales could have been published in the new yorker. one story is verbatim torturing from guantanamo and a history of the tulsa race riot that kicks in the gut
Long review here:
http://blog.newsarama.com/2009/07/05/rev...
Short review?
Terrible title, good anthology.
http://blog.newsarama.com/2009/07/05/rev...
Short review?
Terrible title, good anthology.
I love the concept - short nonfiction in graphic novels - but the execution wasn't great. It was very uneven, and none of the stories really struck me.
very fun collection of picture stories. Most of the stories seem to be centered in NY City. They are all well told and well pictured.
Superbly crafted non-fiction comics. I especially enjoyed Nate Beatty's piece about the 1921 Tulsa race riots.
This is really a unique collection! More cohesive selection of comics than many thematic anthologies or best of the year collections that I've read.
If you can get past the odd pretension presented by both the clunky nomenclature 'picto-essay' and the haughty bio of Brendan Burford on the back, you'll find a decent -if spotty- anthology.
Love it so far!
Enjoying this lots. Fairly scattershot in content, but that's apparently the intent. B&W nonfiction comics and other "picto essays".
Hit or miss with a few real gems. I like the concept however and hope the execution continues to improve.
Erin Burkholder
marked it as to-read
Alice Abusmus
marked it as to-read
Cyndi
marked it as to-read
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