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Dykes to Watch Out For #8
Split-Level Dykes to Watch Out For
Unable to end the years of often contentious communal domesticity when their house is put up for sale, Ginger, Lois and Sparrow decide to stay together and make a purchase offer. Mo considers the cost-effective benefits of cohabitation with Sydney.
136 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1998
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
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August 16, 2024sorry I'm obsessed with alison bechdel
April 30, 2008
I think this is the last Dykes to Watch Out For collection that I read. I need to check out the ones that came after this one..
This book ends with all of the dykes moving all around town, all changing their living situations. Clarice and Toni's baby is now an elementary school kid. Time flies....
I wrote the following review for the Spring 1999 issue of The MSRRT Newsletter:
Alison Bechdel has done it again with her eighth "Dykes to Watch Out For" cartoon collection. As soon as I got my hands on this book, I flipped to the new section which has not been serialized in publications running the strip. Even though I had Christmas gifts to buy, dishes to wash, a house to clean, and a baby-sitting engagement to face in a few hours, I could not put the book down until I discovered the latest twists and turns in each character's life. Suddenly, I was literally yelling and laughing aloud at these women I think of as far away friends. Later, I read all of the installments in the book, even though I had encountered them before in various newspapers.
The beauty of Bechdel's characters is their humanity. I honestly feel as if I know these women. I am hooked on their stories, interested in their lives. Bechdel's art work continues to improve, and tiny but clever details like a sunscreen bottle labeled "SPF 6000" and a box of books marked "Cleavage Press" continue to delight. Messages about serious topics such as corporate dominance, gay marriage, and depression are not delivered heavy-handedly, but with a dose of humor. This book is a testament to the wit, talent, and creativity of Alison Bechdel
This book ends with all of the dykes moving all around town, all changing their living situations. Clarice and Toni's baby is now an elementary school kid. Time flies....
I wrote the following review for the Spring 1999 issue of The MSRRT Newsletter:
Alison Bechdel has done it again with her eighth "Dykes to Watch Out For" cartoon collection. As soon as I got my hands on this book, I flipped to the new section which has not been serialized in publications running the strip. Even though I had Christmas gifts to buy, dishes to wash, a house to clean, and a baby-sitting engagement to face in a few hours, I could not put the book down until I discovered the latest twists and turns in each character's life. Suddenly, I was literally yelling and laughing aloud at these women I think of as far away friends. Later, I read all of the installments in the book, even though I had encountered them before in various newspapers.
The beauty of Bechdel's characters is their humanity. I honestly feel as if I know these women. I am hooked on their stories, interested in their lives. Bechdel's art work continues to improve, and tiny but clever details like a sunscreen bottle labeled "SPF 6000" and a box of books marked "Cleavage Press" continue to delight. Messages about serious topics such as corporate dominance, gay marriage, and depression are not delivered heavy-handedly, but with a dose of humor. This book is a testament to the wit, talent, and creativity of Alison Bechdel
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April 20, 2022Love, love, love!!
May 15, 2019
I loved this novel! I felt as if I was taken on a journey through the 70's, only with the benefit of hindsight. Boritz-Berger did a wonderful job recreating that iconic era. I felt as if I'd stepped back through time & got an insightful look into the past. Donny & Alexandra (Alex) Pearl are 30-ish Jewish couple married for 7 years with 2 little girls. He works in his father's company, H Pearl & Sons, a custom lingerie company. Being his father's son, Donny daily incurs the wrath of his father. He's blamed for every company screw up. Instead of being treated well, being the owner's son, Donny is treated like an indentured servant. Donny is all stressed out because of this. Being that the setting was in 1974, Alex is a stay-at-home mother. She has a home business making tee-shirts to order. In college she was an art major, so her home business is tailor made for her background. Donny develops what was formerly called "the 7-year itch". He drafts Alex (very gradually) to surrender to the concept of "swinging", as it was called in the 70's. They swap partners with a nearby couple Charley & Paula Bell. As the affairs continue, Alex is swept further & further away from Donny. As Alex begins to examine her motivations, she realizes she never actually made a conscious consent to their swinging lifestyle. Rather, she was dragged along into this situation by Donny. As I don't want to reveal any spoilers, that's about all I'm going to say about the novel's plot.
The author injects a good deal of humor into "Split-Level", making this novel a hilarious read in part. The other part of the story is heartbreakingly sad. The novel ends on an ambiguous note. Read it & see. It's definitely worth the read.
The author's writing style draws the reader into the story. She perfectly captures the flavor & essence of the 70's. Boritz-Berger writes this novel like it was the present. The characters are well-drawn & perfectly real.
Thank you, She Writes Press & NetGalley for the opportunity to read & review this novel. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own.
The author injects a good deal of humor into "Split-Level", making this novel a hilarious read in part. The other part of the story is heartbreakingly sad. The novel ends on an ambiguous note. Read it & see. It's definitely worth the read.
The author's writing style draws the reader into the story. She perfectly captures the flavor & essence of the 70's. Boritz-Berger writes this novel like it was the present. The characters are well-drawn & perfectly real.
Thank you, She Writes Press & NetGalley for the opportunity to read & review this novel. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own.
November 3, 2020
I have come across Bechdel in anthologies and weekly papers. I feel as if I have read her book about her relationship with her father. Definitely heard her talk on a podcast or two. So, I finally decided to go through her stuff.
It is accessible, humane, and funny. Who knew that lesbians could be funny?
I got the earliest from the library but it turns out not to be the first. But, even in the middle, the characters shine through so that you don't need their whole history. The shape of the volume is like a Garfield treasury and the same nature as most strips take place. You are given enough in each small two page strip to get the punchline.
There is an extended story or two but the themes are universal - how folks are different at work and home and a day of moving.
I would recommend this to folks that just possibly know a lesbian or two or who are aware of queer culture in a Will and Grace way. It is more complex and a lot more funny.
It is accessible, humane, and funny. Who knew that lesbians could be funny?
I got the earliest from the library but it turns out not to be the first. But, even in the middle, the characters shine through so that you don't need their whole history. The shape of the volume is like a Garfield treasury and the same nature as most strips take place. You are given enough in each small two page strip to get the punchline.
There is an extended story or two but the themes are universal - how folks are different at work and home and a day of moving.
I would recommend this to folks that just possibly know a lesbian or two or who are aware of queer culture in a Will and Grace way. It is more complex and a lot more funny.
June 20, 2018
See other reviews of Dykes to Watch out For
June 6, 2010
I’ve read bits and pieces of Bechdel’s comic books through the years, but never from cover to cover. Reading them as a novel works better and is more enjoyable than just reading the independent strips.
Everything is fair game in the satirical comic book about life in the nineties. Bechdel stabs at stereotypes, gender roles, racism, other "isms", and a slew of other subjects. Along with homophobia, Bechdel portrays heterosexism through Ginger and Lois, who rag on Sparrow about her choice to bat for the other team. She in turn questions herself and her relationship with Stuart. Jezanna is concerned about how the new chain store, Bounders Books-N-Muzak, will effect the business at her Madwimmin Books. Conversion of gays, Clinton’s impeachment, deflation, and world affairs are among the topics discussed by the characters and media headlines.
Begun in 1983, Dykes to Watch Out For represented lesbians in pop culture long before the L-Word aired and did so in a more realistic fashion. The three-dimensional comics are humorous yet thought provoking and all around entertaining. Bechdel retired the syndicated comic strip in 2008 when she felt its characters were getting too narrow and wanted to focus on other projects.
I’d have no problem unloading more of Bechdel’s comic books from my friends, who were coincidentally moving at the time I acquired Split-Level.
Everything is fair game in the satirical comic book about life in the nineties. Bechdel stabs at stereotypes, gender roles, racism, other "isms", and a slew of other subjects. Along with homophobia, Bechdel portrays heterosexism through Ginger and Lois, who rag on Sparrow about her choice to bat for the other team. She in turn questions herself and her relationship with Stuart. Jezanna is concerned about how the new chain store, Bounders Books-N-Muzak, will effect the business at her Madwimmin Books. Conversion of gays, Clinton’s impeachment, deflation, and world affairs are among the topics discussed by the characters and media headlines.
Begun in 1983, Dykes to Watch Out For represented lesbians in pop culture long before the L-Word aired and did so in a more realistic fashion. The three-dimensional comics are humorous yet thought provoking and all around entertaining. Bechdel retired the syndicated comic strip in 2008 when she felt its characters were getting too narrow and wanted to focus on other projects.
I’d have no problem unloading more of Bechdel’s comic books from my friends, who were coincidentally moving at the time I acquired Split-Level.
October 3, 2014
awesome as always!
This book is about changes...
Sparrow decides to start dating a guy that has a history for dating lesbians (?);
Ginger decides to buy the house they are living in and Sparrow moves in again with also the guy she is dating;
Sydney moves in with Mo because she has a lot of dept;
Clarisse and Toni move to the richest part of the city with their 5 year old;
Jezzana's father moves in with her after her mom died.
I think I never mentioned how great the dialogues on this books are. - they are - . All of this women, even though sometimes too radical, have a political and activist background and are very interesting intelligent human beings.
This book is about changes...
Sparrow decides to start dating a guy that has a history for dating lesbians (?);
Ginger decides to buy the house they are living in and Sparrow moves in again with also the guy she is dating;
Sydney moves in with Mo because she has a lot of dept;
Clarisse and Toni move to the richest part of the city with their 5 year old;
Jezzana's father moves in with her after her mom died.
I think I never mentioned how great the dialogues on this books are. - they are - . All of this women, even though sometimes too radical, have a political and activist background and are very interesting intelligent human beings.
June 19, 2008
gotta love Alison Bechdel!
August 3, 2016
Brilliant and funny. Love this comic strip!
August 8, 2016
Overall pretty good. Was going to give it two stars, but the oblique newspaper headlines (e.g., "STEINEM SAYS GROPING BY BOSS OKAY IF HE'S A DEMOCRAT") bumped it up.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews