Giant Days #49

Giant Days (Single Issues) #49

by John Allison, Max Sarin (Artist), Whitney Cogar (Colorist)

It’s time for Esther to finish her final dissertation on “The Liminal Spaces Of The Great American Novel 1959-1980” but when inspiration dries up, she heads home to Tackleford for Easter. It’s not America, and it’s not 1959, but her now deserted small town is beginning to feel distinctly liminal.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Graphic Novels Comics, Young Adult, Contemporary, Humor, LGBT

30 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 3, 2019

About the author

John Allison is the author and artist of the British webcomics Scary Go Round and Bad Machinery.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See other authors with similar names.

Reviews

[Anna (Bananas) · Rating 4 out of 5]

“You’re a parent for 18 years and then, if you did your job right, you put yourself out of work.”

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful issue that others might not enjoy quite as much, but for me, returning to Tackleford was wonderful! We get to see Charlotte as a young detective once more as well as the Boy on his way to becoming, well, the heavier Boycie from the latter end of Bad Machinery. Esther almost takes backstage with all this nostalgia, but it all ties in at the end. And full marks for her dissertation being trumped by a little vampire stalking!

[Bree Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

“You’re a patent for eighteen years and then, if you do you job right, you put yourself out of work.”
This was a really sweet issue.

[Lost in Book Land · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hello!


How is everyone doing? I know a lot of people (like me) have stress and anxiety levels through the roof right now and it's been hard to get a lot of reading done. However, I have been trying to make myself put my phone down a bit (and the news feed) and read! In an effort to kick start this I decided to gather up a stack of graphic novels and manga. I thought these short little volumes I could read in like an hour or so might help get my reading spirits up. Plus I love reading these and I have so many I have wanted to read lately. So far this plan has totally worked for me! I have read a bunch of manga and graphic novels and have started some audiobooks, Kindle books, and physical books. So I am back to my regular reading and very happy to be!


SPOILERS AHEAD


Esther is home from university for a short break and struggling to write her dissertation. She is also struggling with her parents, this is kind of a whole new dynamic for both Esther and her parents! During her time home, Esther spends most of the time trying to write but she also ends up going out and visiting a friend we met in another issue (who I loved)! By the end of the issue, Esther is getting ready to head back to university to finish off her semester.


This issue was so relatable I wanted to reach through the page and hug Esther and say it's all going to be okay. Now I have not written a dissertation but I have written a thesis and it was rough. Also seeing the dynamic change between Esther and her parents as she is now an adult coming home, it really hit home. I believe at some point we all go through this experience even if we are not close to our family. At some point there is this interaction were we realize everything has changed. I am giving this issue five stars on Goodreads and I still highly recommend this series!

[Liz (Quirky Cat) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is quite possibly the first issue in ages where we only really saw one of the three main characters. Esther takes the center stage for this issue, while Suzie only appears for a single page (and Daisy is nowhere to be seen).
Great issue though. I think they did really need a whole issue to focus on Esther’s problems here, and in a way it was nice to just be able to dig into one character’s plot for a bit. I wouldn’t say no to this happening more often, as long as they kept the balance.
But seriously, am I the only one worried about Suzie and her relationship? It feels like they’ve been subtly hinting at something for a while now, only the subtleties are getting more obvious. Or I’m getting more paranoid. Not sure which.

[Piper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This had a very nostalgic feel to it.
I think everyone who left home for years and then returned will understand exactly how Esther felt.

[Jo ♡ˎ´✨ ☕︎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Lottie and Esther together! They're so cute as little buddies.

AND AWWWW POOR MCGRAW.

[Elizabeth (Miss Eliza) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This issue right here is why I like this series, it's a 100% accurate slice of college life and how you don't fit into the world yet but you no longer fit in at home. Though I do now need to know if dissertations are a thing for undergrads in England, because that's a grad school thing here...

[jedioffsidetrap · Rating 4 out of 5]

Esther goes back to parents to write thesis: “Defining Liminal Spaces: the Great American Novel 1959-1980.” Much tension as she struggles. Hangs with Sarah’s little sister Lottie (goth jr.), joins her on vampire documentation hunt, incl. stealing holy water from church. At pub meets up with Eustace, former bf. All the change hits her & she breaks down: “I used to be a puzzle piece that fit around here but now I don’t. And it’s b/c the jigsaw puzzle has changed!”

“It turns out constant panic is great cardio.” - Esther

[francis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Half of my love for this issue was just the cover. But I'm a sucker for an Esther-centered story, and this issue provided. I was disappointed that John Allison didn't do the art again, but maybe that was just a special thing. (He should at least get to draw the 50th issue.) The wit and emotion were on point yet again, and Esther's distress about the changing detergent was all too relatable. Can't wait to see this perfect comic reach 50!

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Esther is the main focus on this single issue and it was nice to see her outside of the group and back home, even if home isn't exactly as she remembered and yet somehow is *very* much the same as she has hit the roadblock that is her dissertation paper.

This issue hit close to home when I remembered the changes that happened at home while I was at college so that feeling of Esther crying over detergent, I felt that all too well.

[solène · Rating 3 out of 5]

You’re a parent for eighteen years and then, if you did your job right, you put yourself out of work.

I loved how this issue focused solely on Esther and tbh, the plot was a big mood. Also, I don't know what they're planning for McGraw and Susan, but that last panel scared me a bit :(.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love Esther, She is probably my favorite character in the Giant Days series. However I am so sad because I feel like the series is slowly coming to an end. With Esther writing her dissertation I am starting to realize that the girls are almost done with school.

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun! I liked the Esther centered storyline and LITTLE LOTTIE WAS BACK AHHHH! I love a good Bad Machinery crossover.

[Cass · Rating 4 out of 5]

Esther struggling to write her thesis while visiting home is a big mood.

[NerwSlowa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love those comics.

And I also love how quickly I'm doing my Goodreads Challenge right now :D

[Sierra the Nerdgirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been a while since I've read this series but it still hits home

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this one. I’m glad to be back in this world again!

[Rafaela Oliveira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eu entendo completamente a Esther...quem não teve esse sentimento de saber o que vai fazer da vida depois da faculdade ? Mas comum...não há.

[Claire (find me on Storygraph) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finishing a dissertation is hard.

[Seldon Pwd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Muy divertido. :)

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE Esther!