The Animators in Bound Together

Jan 07, 2017 Diane S ☔ rated it it was amazing

I have never been a comic book lover, not in the past and not now. Graphic novels? Have only ever read one. Animation? Can take it or leave it. So why did I ever pick up, this book? Goodreads, a few strong reviews from friends I trust and it sounded different. Took a chance that turned out to be a big win, win.

Tow friends from art school, a unique partnership, Sharon Kisses and Mel Vaughn, Avant garde, B movies, a graphic animated story of Mel's life. These girls both have difficult back stories ...more

169 likes · Like · see review

Jul 15, 2018 Annet rated it it was amazing

Shelves: family-ties, dark, heartbreaking, wow-impressive, hope, emotional

I need to recover from this one.... a story with terrible lows, another book I had to stop reading and take a break from. But what a unique out of the box story and what a talented debut. About the intense and heartbreaking friendship of two girls, who produce animations... The Animators: Mel and Sharon. Who live an unconventional life, especially Mel with a sort of self-destructive character. Can't do anything else but give it five stars. Out of this world. I really have to organize my thoughts ...more

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Jan 17, 2017 Angela M rated it really liked it

Shelves: netgalley-reviews

There is so much contained in this story that I'm having a hard time knowing where to begin. It's the story of two young women who meet in college and form a partnership to make animated movies. Of course it's about so much more than their art and the artistic process , but their careers and calling in life , provide the backbone of their story. Yes, it's about art, the artist, how an artist's work may be shaped by her past. But for me the strength of the book was about trust, the depth of frien ...more

120 likes · Like · see review

Feb 16, 2017 ☮Karen rated it it was amazing

Shelves: lgbtq, netgalley, read-in-2017, library-checkout

Like oil and water, Mel and Sharon would appear on the outside to be the types that don't blend together. But the more we get to know these friends, they seem like an old married couple in just how balanced their relationship is and how suited to each other they are.

Quirky Mel: Raised in Florida by a prostituting mother who died in prison. Mel and Sharon have made a very successful animated film of Mel's crazy life, resulting in a grant to do another.

Sensible Sharon: Grew up in a dysfunctional f ...more

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Apr 06, 2017 Alena rated it it was amazing

"‪Toddling with pants down into our uncertain future."

I would recommend this outstanding debut based on the above quote alone, but there are even more reasons! Kayla Rae Whitaker has gotten this story of light and darkness, shame and redemption, art and white trash, perfectly right. I loved every second of it.

“Wanted things I couldn't have and I wanted things I couldn't even think up yet, but I could feel myself wanting. And that feeling, it's like itching. Like to drive you crazy."

I understand ...more

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Mar 10, 2017 Irene rated it it was ok

Two talented art students meet in college and form a lifelong friendship and an award winning creative partnership. This novel follows their years together through substance abuse, physical illness, grappling with childhood demons, and professional success. I’m not sure why, but I did not enjoy this book. I think the author was trying to mimic the minimalist sketch style of animation, drawing scenes with a series of discrete moments. But rather than a sense of continuous movement, it felt flat. ...more

12 likes · Like · see review

Mar 05, 2017 Kris V rated it it was amazing

Shelves: kickass-fem-authors, best-of-2017, queer-lit

How is it that everyone is not talking about this book?! It's incredible. The characters, their depth, courage. These are people I wish I knew. The writing is fierce, eloquent and hopeful.
So far, my favorite for 2017. ...more

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