Come Over Come Over

By Lynda Barry

Book Overview

The classic book featuring Maybonne Mullen and her little sister Marlys is back in print! Lynda Barry captures all the glorious magic and excrutiating pain of junior high school in this Ernie Pook Comeek collection from the early 90s. The star of this collection is 14 year old Maybonne who relays the angst and insecurity of life through hand scrawled diary entries, class assignments, and letters, in cursive with doodle and bubble letters. Of course, there is the ever-annoying yet adorable little sister Marlys who never fails to read her big sister's diary. Barry deftly portrays the capricious nature of teen friendships, adolescent peer-pressure, and the kill or be killed nature of a middle school's social scene in her signature style. No one but Lynda Barry can so naturally zero in on the joyous urgency yet heartbreaking poignancy of childhood. In an authentic teen voice full of diffidence and melodrama, the bespectacled and freckled Maybonne relates all of life's indiginities on equal measure. Heartbreaking stories of a broken home, child molestation, an alcoholic absentee father and a bitter mom emerge between strips about home ec class, summer vacation, and babysitting, illustrating Barry's peerless ability to make the reader both cry and laugh.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1770465456
• ISBN13: 9781770465459
• Release Date: February 2022
• Publisher: Drawn & Quarterly Publications
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 9.8" x 6.3"
• Age Range: 16 years and up

Customer Reviews

A Work of, yes, Genius

This is a work of genius. "Now, how can you say that about such a book?" Well, have a look at it first. Barry's observations may be couched in terms of her odd protagonists, Marlys and Maybonne, but they are no less telling, cutting, emotive or perceptive for that. Never have I come across an evocation of adolescence which comes close to her achievement here. She manages to touch on love, death, commitment, family, joy (and even, very lightly, incest), and have fresh things to say about each. The scenes involving school and the love-rivalry between the sisters is unique in cartooning, and perhaps in the wider realm of illustrated literature.

Remember When You Were 14?

I picked up this book on a whim & I'm glad I did--it only took reading one or two of the (cartoon) frames for me to buy it. It's a down-to-earth but funny trip! It is just funny! Reminds me of when I was 14 & all the crazy things I went through-guys, siblings, teachers, parents. The two main characters are so quirky, but you gotta love them! It's like you're let into their minds & you know every little thing they're thinking. Seriously, this book is funny & insightful, & good to read on a late night at home when you're alone & the rest of the world is asleep. I can't wait to read Lynda Barry's other books.

You gotta read this book, man.

I stumbled upon this incredible book in the used section of a local comic book store. I'd already read two of her other collections of pictures and stories and was totally siked when I saw this one. It really blew my mind, man. I mean, its a totally awesome experience, like blowing coke out of your nose or farting in the middle of class when its real quiet and everybody just dies of pure laughter. Its sad too, and serious as death. Lynda Barry is my eternal soul sister and she doesn't even know it. I only share this book with my favorite people in the world. Its one of my secret treasures. Its a totally radical and awesome story, man, you gotta believe me, man, its like, its like the best book ever. I love Lynda Barry.