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The Cute Girl Network
Jane's new in town. When she wipes out on her skateboard right in front of Jack's food cart, she finds herself agreeing to go on a date with him. Jane's psyched that her love life is taking a turn for the friskier, but it turns out that Jack has a spotty romantic history, to put it mildly. Cue the Cute Girl Network--a phone tree information-pooling group of local single women. Poor Jane is about to learn every detail of Jack's past misadventures...whether she wants to or not. Will love prevail?
In this graphic novel from Greg Means, Americus author MK Reed, and Joe Flood, the illustrator of Orcs, comes a fast, witty, and sweet romantic comedy that is actually funny, and actually romantic.
In this graphic novel from Greg Means, Americus author MK Reed, and Joe Flood, the illustrator of Orcs, comes a fast, witty, and sweet romantic comedy that is actually funny, and actually romantic.
184 pages, Paperback
First published November 12, 2013
16 people are currently reading
1470 people want to read
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November 13, 2013I really like this book.
One of the reasons that's the case is because while comics is absolutely full of action-adventure and fantasy and outer space, one of the things that it has much less of is books for adult women set in a contemporary and realistic setting.
(That's one of the whole reasons for the Bechdel test!)
THE CUTE GIRL NETWORK is awesome that way because it's full of adult women, and they're all pretty great, even the Evil!Harriet (who turns out to be just trying to look after her friend). You've got skateboarding girls and documentarian girls and barista girls and bookstore girls -- all the sorts of girls! And they all seem to be relatively sane and having stable and interesting lives that revolve around themselves, instead of revolving around guys.
That's pretty great -- and something I wish we'd see more in books in general, much less in comics!
One of the reasons that's the case is because while comics is absolutely full of action-adventure and fantasy and outer space, one of the things that it has much less of is books for adult women set in a contemporary and realistic setting.
(That's one of the whole reasons for the Bechdel test!)
THE CUTE GIRL NETWORK is awesome that way because it's full of adult women, and they're all pretty great, even the Evil!Harriet (who turns out to be just trying to look after her friend). You've got skateboarding girls and documentarian girls and barista girls and bookstore girls -- all the sorts of girls! And they all seem to be relatively sane and having stable and interesting lives that revolve around themselves, instead of revolving around guys.
That's pretty great -- and something I wish we'd see more in books in general, much less in comics!
November 12, 2013
In Jane Austen’s Persuasion, Anne Elliot allows her friends and family to talk her out of an imprudent marriage to the poor Frederick Wentworth, even though she loves him, and then spends her life regretting that decision. Oddly enough, the graphic novel The Cute Girl Network reminds me a bit of Persuasion. Reed and Means tackle the difficulties of modern dating and the question of how important the opinions of others are in dating choices.
Read the full review at A Reader of Fictions.
Read the full review at A Reader of Fictions.
October 9, 2013
Of the First Second books I've read, this is the first that seems like it's really meant for an older audience. Not adults, per se, but I would place it in the New Adult category. Jane and Jack both seem to have the kinds of jobs and lifestyles that point to them being in their 20's and still figuring life out a bit. Both have roommates and very little money to spend on dates, so they have to be creative about spending time together. Who knew that stealing products from old vending machines could be so romantic?
What I liked about this novel is that it is, ultimately, about Jane's right to make a choice. Her choice is either one of respectfully cutting ties with Jack to find a partner with a little more ambition, or bucking society's expectations of what the "right guy" for her should look like. Both decisions are valid. The choice isn't an easy one, considering the evidence presented to Jane via the Cute Girl Network.
I also appreciated that Jane's book club (her initial connection to the Cute Girl Network) was reading a thinly-veiled version of Twilight and mocking it throughout the entire novel. I can't help it -- I love a good Twilight dig. And I also found Jane's healthy sexuality to be refreshing. She's basically adorable and knows what she wants. I've met some awesome leading ladies in graphic novels over the years, and Jane has been added to the list.
My only complaint about the The Cute Girl Network is essentially a spoiler for the story:
Final Grade: B+
These graphic novels are always a quick, fun read. I loved Jane's character and the overall message of the story. This is a good example of feminism not being about building walls around feelings and beating up bad guys. Sometimes it's about loving your own life and making choices that make you happier in your own situation -- regardless of what the rest of the world says you should do ("girls can't skateboard" or "girls shouldn't pay on the date," for example). The Cute Girl Network is required reading for fans of graphic novels and anyone interested in non-traditional forms of femininity and masculinity. I recommend this for a high school or public library, but be aware that there are visual images of sexual encounters.
What I liked about this novel is that it is, ultimately, about Jane's right to make a choice. Her choice is either one of respectfully cutting ties with Jack to find a partner with a little more ambition, or bucking society's expectations of what the "right guy" for her should look like. Both decisions are valid. The choice isn't an easy one, considering the evidence presented to Jane via the Cute Girl Network.
I also appreciated that Jane's book club (her initial connection to the Cute Girl Network) was reading a thinly-veiled version of Twilight and mocking it throughout the entire novel. I can't help it -- I love a good Twilight dig. And I also found Jane's healthy sexuality to be refreshing. She's basically adorable and knows what she wants. I've met some awesome leading ladies in graphic novels over the years, and Jane has been added to the list.
My only complaint about the The Cute Girl Network is essentially a spoiler for the story:
Final Grade: B+
These graphic novels are always a quick, fun read. I loved Jane's character and the overall message of the story. This is a good example of feminism not being about building walls around feelings and beating up bad guys. Sometimes it's about loving your own life and making choices that make you happier in your own situation -- regardless of what the rest of the world says you should do ("girls can't skateboard" or "girls shouldn't pay on the date," for example). The Cute Girl Network is required reading for fans of graphic novels and anyone interested in non-traditional forms of femininity and masculinity. I recommend this for a high school or public library, but be aware that there are visual images of sexual encounters.
February 12, 2014
At its core, it's a cute, charming little love story that is as much about honesty as it is about the touted "following your heart, not listening to what others say." Say what you will about (main character) Jack - yes, he's a huge screwup, a "layabout," with a minimum-wage job and basically no drive or ambition... but he's never dishonest, even about his most glaring faults. It's rare (and nice) to have a love story that skips past all the "Oh, I messed up, I'm going to hide it. Oh she found out that I hid it, I bet she hates me now. Oh she still likes me despite my flaws this is a valuable and character-building lesson," and just moves to the "Hey, I'm kind of a dork, but I like you and I'll keep trying to do better." On top of that, it's a story that proclaims - in an all-its-own, unique way - the age-old lesson that it's worth risking love, even if you might fall on your face (literally or figuratively). Is settling for a socially inept idiot, who's honest, caring, and loves you more than anything... really settling at all?
It tries its hardest to set up stereotypes and then break them down. Sometimes it succeeds, but other times it squanders those opportunities - some characters break out of their initial "type," but others remain as caricatures (the sexist roommate, the snobbish ex, the clueless skaters, etc.) to prove a point. And sometimes the "battle of the sexes" aspects of the book feel too over-the-top or forced, given how down-to-earth most of the book and its message are.
But I actually really enjoyed this one. And the art's great too.
It tries its hardest to set up stereotypes and then break them down. Sometimes it succeeds, but other times it squanders those opportunities - some characters break out of their initial "type," but others remain as caricatures (the sexist roommate, the snobbish ex, the clueless skaters, etc.) to prove a point. And sometimes the "battle of the sexes" aspects of the book feel too over-the-top or forced, given how down-to-earth most of the book and its message are.
But I actually really enjoyed this one. And the art's great too.
April 14, 2014
It's like "MEH: The comic book" for me. The plot is weak and the characters are unlikeable. I love unlikeable characters and some anti-heroes, but these 20-somethings are boring. Jane is supposed to be quirky but it just seems pointlessly immature. Jack is supposed to be goofy, but he actually seems like there's something wrong with him mentally. The exes and friends all seem needlessly bitter. Also, the roommates/bookclub was confusing because their names were doled out very slowly in the book and didn't seem to have any personality. It seemed like clothing style was a substitute for characterization.
I get that it's a slack love story about the war of the sexes, but it felt like stumbling upon a half-finished idea. The strength of the book is the artwork, which is cute with lots of great details and is good at backgrounds.
It's hard not to compare this book unfavorably to Scott Pilgrim. Imagine if SP was one book where the Ramona's exes complained about how she dumped them. The linear nature of the story and the weak characters just made this book so boring.
I get that it's a slack love story about the war of the sexes, but it felt like stumbling upon a half-finished idea. The strength of the book is the artwork, which is cute with lots of great details and is good at backgrounds.
It's hard not to compare this book unfavorably to Scott Pilgrim. Imagine if SP was one book where the Ramona's exes complained about how she dumped them. The linear nature of the story and the weak characters just made this book so boring.
October 2, 2013
The Cute Girl Network is a testament to modern day love stories. A graphic novel with a chick-lit twist, it provides a romantic comedy that will touch both the heart and the funny bone!
Although the storyline can tend to become stagnant at times, it's very hard not to like the two main protagonists, Jane and Jack. Their relationship - from the jokes, stumbling, stuttering and the awkwardness to the locked gazes and sweet smiles - is cheesy...and yet weirdly satisfying. Despite its somewhat juvenile format, the novel lends its characters a depth not often reflected in graphic novels. Jane and Jack both deal with issues close to the heart: who to love, if to love, and whether or not love can win despite the odds in today's world.
So if you're into chick lit, detailed illustrations, or are simply looking for a book to lift your spirits, pick up The Cute Girl Network and give it a try :)
Although the storyline can tend to become stagnant at times, it's very hard not to like the two main protagonists, Jane and Jack. Their relationship - from the jokes, stumbling, stuttering and the awkwardness to the locked gazes and sweet smiles - is cheesy...and yet weirdly satisfying. Despite its somewhat juvenile format, the novel lends its characters a depth not often reflected in graphic novels. Jane and Jack both deal with issues close to the heart: who to love, if to love, and whether or not love can win despite the odds in today's world.
So if you're into chick lit, detailed illustrations, or are simply looking for a book to lift your spirits, pick up The Cute Girl Network and give it a try :)
November 4, 2014
Cute little hetero-romcom. Yeah, it's got a bit of the hipster to it, a bit of a flail towards feminism. The illustrations are pretty bomb.
Just not where I'm at mentally right now. Which is kinda disappointing, bc this is normally my jam. I found myself more interested in side characters than the protagonists.
Just not where I'm at mentally right now. Which is kinda disappointing, bc this is normally my jam. I found myself more interested in side characters than the protagonists.
November 16, 2018
🌟🌟🌟🌟 4 stars
Wholesome story and good moral. Graphics were super cute but could have used more rep and maybe less problematic characters 😬
Wholesome story and good moral. Graphics were super cute but could have used more rep and maybe less problematic characters 😬
November 11, 2014
The Cute Girl Network definitely has its heart in the right place. The greatest weakness is that the writing tries to do too much. It wants to be a feminist take on modern dating, it wants to have slapstick twenty-something-Girls-esque humor, it wants to be hipster-stylish, and it wants to comment on the nuances of skate culture. Any two of those would be fine for a derpy romance, but all four of them together saps the pacing and direction from the writing.
Graphic novel fans have seen this plot done before, and pretty recently. Scott Pilgrim did the same premise (twentysomething A dates twentysomething B but learns about B's horrible dating past), but took six books to do it. The Cute Girl Network is one book. The lack of pages means it can never slow down. Scott Pilgrim got to take breathers and not be video-game-y or romance-y all the bloody time; the characters here never get the luxury of slice-of-life moments and are always waxing political, or skating, or being hip for the sake of hipness. Scott Pilgrim also had time to build on its lampooning of twentysomething slacker culture, so that its social commentary on growing up never directly overtook the dialogue. The Cute Girl Network can't slow itself down, so we end up with discussions that exist solely for the protagonist to critique them with a feminist lens, rather than have that underscore a longer narrative. With even just two or three more books, this story would have worked. In one book, it crumbles under its own weight. And since the protagonist has to be the straight man to all of these categories, she comes off as a mary sue, to boot.
It's a shame, too. The art style is wonderful, and in the odd panel or two when it isn't trying to do everything it wants at the same time, and in a time crunch, The Cute Girl Network is endearing.
Graphic novel fans have seen this plot done before, and pretty recently. Scott Pilgrim did the same premise (twentysomething A dates twentysomething B but learns about B's horrible dating past), but took six books to do it. The Cute Girl Network is one book. The lack of pages means it can never slow down. Scott Pilgrim got to take breathers and not be video-game-y or romance-y all the bloody time; the characters here never get the luxury of slice-of-life moments and are always waxing political, or skating, or being hip for the sake of hipness. Scott Pilgrim also had time to build on its lampooning of twentysomething slacker culture, so that its social commentary on growing up never directly overtook the dialogue. The Cute Girl Network can't slow itself down, so we end up with discussions that exist solely for the protagonist to critique them with a feminist lens, rather than have that underscore a longer narrative. With even just two or three more books, this story would have worked. In one book, it crumbles under its own weight. And since the protagonist has to be the straight man to all of these categories, she comes off as a mary sue, to boot.
It's a shame, too. The art style is wonderful, and in the odd panel or two when it isn't trying to do everything it wants at the same time, and in a time crunch, The Cute Girl Network is endearing.
April 28, 2013
I kind of (totally) hate the name of this comic, and my four stars are only mine (I really don't know that it would resonate much with anyone else), but the story told here is much like mine with my husband (and that has a mostly-happily-ever-after, so...).
It's cute.
Girl moves to town, meets silly and sweet boy that doesn't treat her like an accessory to boost his cred, enjoys dating him, but finds out that he's got a gaggle of angry exes who think he screwed them over. Said angry exes are all part of "The Network," which exists for the sole purpose of making sure no girl ever dates anyone again? No, but really, they all get together and dish on what poor schlubs did that might have caused their breakups so "fair warning" to the new girl.
Whatever. Because people don't ever grow up, right?
Anyway, this was pretty sweet and (as I said), the story was kind of a funhouse mirror held up to my own courtship, so I enjoyed the hour I spent reading it.
'ware swearing and fornicating.
Thanks to First Second for the review copy!
It's cute.
Girl moves to town, meets silly and sweet boy that doesn't treat her like an accessory to boost his cred, enjoys dating him, but finds out that he's got a gaggle of angry exes who think he screwed them over. Said angry exes are all part of "The Network," which exists for the sole purpose of making sure no girl ever dates anyone again? No, but really, they all get together and dish on what poor schlubs did that might have caused their breakups so "fair warning" to the new girl.
Whatever. Because people don't ever grow up, right?
Anyway, this was pretty sweet and (as I said), the story was kind of a funhouse mirror held up to my own courtship, so I enjoyed the hour I spent reading it.
'ware swearing and fornicating.
Thanks to First Second for the review copy!
October 16, 2014
eh. This was ok. My feelings for this went from "interested" to "ugh, please can we stop with the ableist slurs" to "oy I get it, the network is classist and ableist and elitist" to "damnit, these ex's are so 1 dimensional and that character that has a hate-on for him is just portrayed as SUCH a shrew and argh I feel like the depiction of these characters is just weirdly sexist" to "ok, there was a redeemable ending."
I generally wouldn't recommend that someone else read this... it was "eh, ok."
Also of course the premise is a heterosexist/gender binary requiring one.
And honestly can we talk about his roommate who seems like he is LITERALLY the worst? I do not understand that character's place in the story and how someone hasn't pressed charges and gotten his ass in jail. Why is there no real push-back from the other characters regarding his sexism and borderline criminal behavior?
I generally wouldn't recommend that someone else read this... it was "eh, ok."
Also of course the premise is a heterosexist/gender binary requiring one.
And honestly can we talk about his roommate who seems like he is LITERALLY the worst? I do not understand that character's place in the story and how someone hasn't pressed charges and gotten his ass in jail. Why is there no real push-back from the other characters regarding his sexism and borderline criminal behavior?
January 10, 2014
I didn't love this.
I like the art style, and who can resist that cover? But the story itself was...it was okay. Just okay. Middle of the road for me. I had a very hard time telling how old everyone was supposed to be. We have Jane, our female protagonist living with roommates and seems to be financially independent. But then she jokes around about having a burrito baby after ingesting the food, and then saying "when you come out you're gonna be so smelly!" What adult does this?
To add in more confusion: It seems as though everyone is around the same age but a lot of them are really up and up on their wine. I KNOW this is a generalization, but being wine-savvy tends to kick in during the late 20s, not early 20s. When I was 20 I was hopped up on Jack Daniels and Natty Ice, not Merlot. Everyone was supposed to be older but then they had the mentality of 10 year olds. It was weird.
Nobody was likable.
I like the art style, and who can resist that cover? But the story itself was...it was okay. Just okay. Middle of the road for me. I had a very hard time telling how old everyone was supposed to be. We have Jane, our female protagonist living with roommates and seems to be financially independent. But then she jokes around about having a burrito baby after ingesting the food, and then saying "when you come out you're gonna be so smelly!" What adult does this?
To add in more confusion: It seems as though everyone is around the same age but a lot of them are really up and up on their wine. I KNOW this is a generalization, but being wine-savvy tends to kick in during the late 20s, not early 20s. When I was 20 I was hopped up on Jack Daniels and Natty Ice, not Merlot. Everyone was supposed to be older but then they had the mentality of 10 year olds. It was weird.
Nobody was likable.
February 9, 2014
I want a sequel all about Wendy and her documentary. That was some complex imaginative play those kids had going on with their Barbies.
Read
July 5, 2020Way too many uses of “spaz” and “retard”. No thanks.
May 16, 2019
I wasn't super into this, but I'm having a hard time putting my finger on why. I like the idea that someone else's bad date may be just right for another person; and I liked the concept that sometimes, everyone else doesn't know best. But... instead of Jack coming across as a little silly, he made a series of choices that would really give me pause. I mean, maybe it's "silly" that he put his phone in a bag of chips that was thrown away, but... it kind of communicates a few things to me: A) He is messy and inconsiderate enough that his roommate literally cleans up after him and B) He does not take care of expensive and important things like his phone. And, like, this happened recently- not when all of the other girls dated him. But peeing in a graveyard, poking a female stranger's chest because of the design on it, and talking with your mom about your sex life... sheesh... red flag city.
I respect that ultimately, it's Jane's choice- she knows what she is getting into, and she knows it may not be forever. It's still up to her and she chooses to be with Jack. It shouldn't matter what me or any of the Network members think. That is the strongest part of the book for me. The Network itself was sort of troubling to me- the women all came across as really catty and vindictive; you went on one bad date with a guy, and you feel the need to tell a stranger that she's throwing her life away with him? That's... weird. And the men, too, all felt like bloated stereotypes- no one in the skate shop realizes it's weird to harass women, and Jack's roommate literally says stuff like "Now make me a sandwich." There are some good moments of potential happening, and I don't think it's terrible; but I just don't think it works for me.
I respect that ultimately, it's Jane's choice- she knows what she is getting into, and she knows it may not be forever. It's still up to her and she chooses to be with Jack. It shouldn't matter what me or any of the Network members think. That is the strongest part of the book for me. The Network itself was sort of troubling to me- the women all came across as really catty and vindictive; you went on one bad date with a guy, and you feel the need to tell a stranger that she's throwing her life away with him? That's... weird. And the men, too, all felt like bloated stereotypes- no one in the skate shop realizes it's weird to harass women, and Jack's roommate literally says stuff like "Now make me a sandwich." There are some good moments of potential happening, and I don't think it's terrible; but I just don't think it works for me.
June 28, 2019
I liked Jane and Jack, but most of the rest of these people are horrible. They seem mean and bitter about life in general. Gives me pause about Jane and Jack, because why are they friends with these people?
April 7, 2020
2020 Read #330
I loved Jane as a character, but Jack was, er, pretty much as dumb as he was lauded. Sure, he’s a nice guy, but I don’t see “happily ever after” for Jane and Jack (though I think that might have been part of the point — “live in the moment and love who you love”).
I loved Jane as a character, but Jack was, er, pretty much as dumb as he was lauded. Sure, he’s a nice guy, but I don’t see “happily ever after” for Jane and Jack (though I think that might have been part of the point — “live in the moment and love who you love”).
dnf
September 26, 2019I started reading this, and every time I tried to tell myself to finish because it was an interlibrary loan that needed to go back, I had zero interest in picking it back up.
May 29, 2022
cute and quick picnic read! I love skater punk romance 🥰🥰 mercé mak pour la recommandation
December 31, 2022
Actual rating: 3.5 stars.
I fairly enjoy this one even I don't expect anything.
I fairly enjoy this one even I don't expect anything.
March 22, 2017
I liked it but I didn't love it. I thought I was getting a cute YA-ish romance, but it's more NA than anything. It's also a lot denser--not as fluffy as I thought it would be.
November 1, 2016
Ooooh wow, what a story! It was kind of hard for me to decide who the audience is for this story--I am actually leaning toward a new-adult graphic novel. And I say that because this story centers around Jane making decisions for herself vs listening to the Network.
If you are looking for a graphic novel that is quirky, real, and contemporary, then you should definitely put this graphic novel on your to read list.
It was kind of hard for me to decide who the audience is for this story. Originally, I thought it looked and sounded like a YA graphic novel, but then my library added the book to the adult graphic novels section. After reading this book, I am actually leaning toward a new-adult graphic novel. Also, there is a lot of explicit sexual content (nothing raunchy, but it is illustrated), which I know is a part of YA literature. I think the tone of this book is a bit more mature than YA, which is why I lean more towards classifying it as New Adult, dealing with life after high school and learning to navigate the “new adult” culture.
I really liked the relationship between Jane and Jack. Throughout the course of this story, they are just real with each other. Jack really likes Jane because she is sure of herself and just “super cool”. Jane appreciates Jack’s quirky, and sometimes forgetful, personality. They both just enjoy being with each other and can have fun being their goofy, real selves. It is refreshing to see this kind of a relationship in a book, especially a graphic novel. With the illustration aspect of this story, I felt really comfortable with the both of them, and I really appreciated that. This depiction of a relationship was as down-to-earth as I have read in a while, and it was just refreshing
This book explores some interesting topics that are pertinent to today’s culture. The first major one is sexism. Jane is a skater girl who doesn’t take crap from people, yet the customers at the shop where she works treat her with disrespect. Same with the skaters at the park–she gets no respect first, simply because she is a woman. When she proves her knowledge or skill at different parts of the story, and the men disrespecting her comment about it, she essentially tells them to STEP OFF. This chick has some spunk, and I just love that the authors of this novel really let her stand up not only for herself, but for women everywhere!
The other major issue addressed in this novel is the nature of the title–a network of girls. In an effort to “help a girl out”, Jane’s friends hold an intervention when they discover she is dating Jack because “he’s a bad guy.” It goes even further when the network of women across the city is notified, and they start showing up with horror stories about Jack. In some ways, it is like a hive–trying to force someone to think like the rest do. It is an interesting phenomenon that is really not addressed so openly in literature all the time, so it was really cool to read a story with this issue at the forefront of the story.
Overall, I found this graphic novel to be fun and quirky, just what I wanted and a bit more. I loved the characters, I loved the quirkiness, and it was just a joyful hour of reading!
If you are looking for a graphic novel that is quirky, real, and contemporary, then you should definitely put this graphic novel on your to read list.
It was kind of hard for me to decide who the audience is for this story. Originally, I thought it looked and sounded like a YA graphic novel, but then my library added the book to the adult graphic novels section. After reading this book, I am actually leaning toward a new-adult graphic novel. Also, there is a lot of explicit sexual content (nothing raunchy, but it is illustrated), which I know is a part of YA literature. I think the tone of this book is a bit more mature than YA, which is why I lean more towards classifying it as New Adult, dealing with life after high school and learning to navigate the “new adult” culture.
I really liked the relationship between Jane and Jack. Throughout the course of this story, they are just real with each other. Jack really likes Jane because she is sure of herself and just “super cool”. Jane appreciates Jack’s quirky, and sometimes forgetful, personality. They both just enjoy being with each other and can have fun being their goofy, real selves. It is refreshing to see this kind of a relationship in a book, especially a graphic novel. With the illustration aspect of this story, I felt really comfortable with the both of them, and I really appreciated that. This depiction of a relationship was as down-to-earth as I have read in a while, and it was just refreshing
This book explores some interesting topics that are pertinent to today’s culture. The first major one is sexism. Jane is a skater girl who doesn’t take crap from people, yet the customers at the shop where she works treat her with disrespect. Same with the skaters at the park–she gets no respect first, simply because she is a woman. When she proves her knowledge or skill at different parts of the story, and the men disrespecting her comment about it, she essentially tells them to STEP OFF. This chick has some spunk, and I just love that the authors of this novel really let her stand up not only for herself, but for women everywhere!
The other major issue addressed in this novel is the nature of the title–a network of girls. In an effort to “help a girl out”, Jane’s friends hold an intervention when they discover she is dating Jack because “he’s a bad guy.” It goes even further when the network of women across the city is notified, and they start showing up with horror stories about Jack. In some ways, it is like a hive–trying to force someone to think like the rest do. It is an interesting phenomenon that is really not addressed so openly in literature all the time, so it was really cool to read a story with this issue at the forefront of the story.
Overall, I found this graphic novel to be fun and quirky, just what I wanted and a bit more. I loved the characters, I loved the quirkiness, and it was just a joyful hour of reading!
May 22, 2013
I was fairly glowing by the time I finished this -- it does a really great job of capturing how dopey, kooky, secretly dull people can have really nice relationships. Even if they do like to sleep till noon or are perpetually clumsy. Even if they love working at the soup cart. Even if they've messed up in relationships in the past! Wild! I also liked how it captured the way girls can be jerks about dictating the rules of relationships without thought to how much they care for their partner, and how how pervasive and destructive romantic constructs can be. Plus the couple at the stories heart are just like, supercool! I want to double-date with them!
Why is it 3 stars? I guess it's mostly that it's a bit fluffy, the bad guys + girls are just a bit too one-dimensional (MK Reed, I am looking at you and your previous effort which I apparently panned, Americus), and the artwork, though basically good, is a little reminiscent of Ken Dahl/Gabby Schulz who is about a million times more hardcore than this. And which I yearned for. As always. It didn't feel quite like it fit and flowed here.
Anyway, it was quite fine, a pleasant and thoughtful young romance, good for teens who can handle some swearing and some more-or-less relationship-type sexual relations of the twentysomething variety.
Again, thanks NetGalley for the ARC!
Why is it 3 stars? I guess it's mostly that it's a bit fluffy, the bad guys + girls are just a bit too one-dimensional (MK Reed, I am looking at you and your previous effort which I apparently panned, Americus), and the artwork, though basically good, is a little reminiscent of Ken Dahl/Gabby Schulz who is about a million times more hardcore than this. And which I yearned for. As always. It didn't feel quite like it fit and flowed here.
Anyway, it was quite fine, a pleasant and thoughtful young romance, good for teens who can handle some swearing and some more-or-less relationship-type sexual relations of the twentysomething variety.
Again, thanks NetGalley for the ARC!
November 23, 2013
Source: Netgalley for review
Graphic Novels in black and white is popular this days and possibly necessary to keep comics in budget. A lot of black and white comics are hitting the shelves and quite frankly they are doing an excellent job. As I have said plenty of times in this blog, colors are not a necessity to enhance good stories. The cute girl network follows the blank and white trend of comics with good entertaining stories.
Jane and Jack are the MCs of this urban story. They find themselves drawn to each other from the first time. She is a free spirited skater girl and he is a guy with a low income job selling soup from a street cart. Jack is not the smartest, or the most attentive or excels in anything but he grows attached to Jane and at least strives for not making an idiot of himself everyday. This works until the NETWORK gets in their lives and doubts a plenty get inside Jane’s mind. What is the NETWORK? you might say. Well, you definitely need to grab this graphic novel to find out and that way you get to know if these lovebirds work out.
The dialog is smart and fun, even witty in some cases. Art is ok and cartoonish. For all of you book devourers, there is a scene that is a total treat. Jane has book lover friends! And they get to read the thoughts of these gals about a favorite sparkly vampire of mine.
Graphic Novels in black and white is popular this days and possibly necessary to keep comics in budget. A lot of black and white comics are hitting the shelves and quite frankly they are doing an excellent job. As I have said plenty of times in this blog, colors are not a necessity to enhance good stories. The cute girl network follows the blank and white trend of comics with good entertaining stories.
Jane and Jack are the MCs of this urban story. They find themselves drawn to each other from the first time. She is a free spirited skater girl and he is a guy with a low income job selling soup from a street cart. Jack is not the smartest, or the most attentive or excels in anything but he grows attached to Jane and at least strives for not making an idiot of himself everyday. This works until the NETWORK gets in their lives and doubts a plenty get inside Jane’s mind. What is the NETWORK? you might say. Well, you definitely need to grab this graphic novel to find out and that way you get to know if these lovebirds work out.
The dialog is smart and fun, even witty in some cases. Art is ok and cartoonish. For all of you book devourers, there is a scene that is a total treat. Jane has book lover friends! And they get to read the thoughts of these gals about a favorite sparkly vampire of mine.
May 23, 2015
I could see the point of this story coming from a mile away. Cute lead characters and really nice line art (this artist is GREAT at illustrating big, full page establishing scenes), but I was not fond of the "cool girl who is better than those other girls cause she rides a skateboard and doesn't take anyone's shit" trope. I also did not like the gross caricatures of the girly girls in 'The Network.' This book totally had some anti-feminist things going on - despite framing it around a feminist female lead. The characters that were not 'cool girls' were written to be total bitches and I really didn't like that. I guess the dude bro was meant to counter the bitchy female characters and balance it out, but like 5 of the female characters were like... antagonists. Where we only had one guy acting as the 'villain' from the other side. I don't know, it made a bad impression on me? Would probably not read something from these writers again, but I would check out the illustrator's work in a different kind of story.
July 23, 2018
Edit: July 2018 - I hate this book. He more I thought about this book over the last few years, the more I began to unwrap why it makes me so angry. It is the "nice guy" complex. Yeah, this boy is abusive and basically a guy wrote the comic so that when a boy walks off in the middle of making dinner and leaves for 5 days, then comes back and doesn't understand what he did wrong, he should get a second chance.
Fuck this book.
Old review:
The art is cute and there are some shining moments in the novel. If you’re looking for some pro-girl fiction, I would recommend this one. It does have its charms, and it raises some questions about modern dating habits and how social media (in this case, text messages) has changed the field.
Fuck this book.
Old review:
The art is cute and there are some shining moments in the novel. If you’re looking for some pro-girl fiction, I would recommend this one. It does have its charms, and it raises some questions about modern dating habits and how social media (in this case, text messages) has changed the field.
September 25, 2015
The charm of this story is that the premise is so likely. I've heard women wish for such a resource -info on men in a social circle, who to date and who to watch out for, etc. And I like how the protagonist holds her judgement until she gains a better understanding of the situation as a whole. I think the writing does cross the line of believability occasionally -some of the sarcasm is distracting, some of the characterization is over the top. However, on the whole, nice storytelling. And GREAT cover, it certainly moved me to read it!
April 29, 2016
Boy and girl meet cute, then girl's new circle of friends introduces her to the Cute Girl Network to warn her off of the cute boy. Will she take their advice and run away, or trust her own instincts and give him a chance?
A fun read, with an adorkable couple. I was a bit dubious at first, but loved that Jane trusted herself. One person's asshole ex is another person's true love. I do wish the panels were in color.
A fun read, with an adorkable couple. I was a bit dubious at first, but loved that Jane trusted herself. One person's asshole ex is another person's true love. I do wish the panels were in color.
January 18, 2014
although I loved the variety of body shapes & use of fashion to distinguish character, the plot was heavy handed and in the end not much was at stake. though that was also a good part of the book as well- that the protag had a voice and (eventually) spoke up for herself. but I think that realistically she would have done so sooner.
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