Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth

by Chris Ware
Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth cover
Good Books rating 3.58
Technical:
  • ID: 583
  • Added: 2025-09-18
  • Updated: 2025-09-18
  • Formats: 2
  • Reviews: 3
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £20.00
Reviews
theslingsandarrows.com · Unknown · 2025-09-18
disappointing 2.00

The reviewer found Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth to be a mixed experience. While they appreciated the art's paneling and some quiet moments, they felt the story was slow, confusing, and emotionally unengaging, with the main character coming across as annoyingly pathetic rather than tragic.

The reviewer had high expectations for Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth but ultimately felt it fell flat. They appreciated the innovative paneling and some quiet, reflective moments, but found the story slow, confusing, and emotionally unengaging. The main character, Jimmy Corrigan, was seen as annoyingly pathetic rather than tragic, and the pacing issues made it difficult to follow. The art, while technically impressive, was criticized for being nondescript and sometimes awkward in its character designs. The reviewer also felt that the inclusion of a parallel story about Jimmy's grandfather was not well-integrated and didn't significantly enhance the main narrative. Overall, they acknowledged the book's artistic merit but didn't enjoy it as much as they had hoped.

Quick quotes

    I really didn't like it.

    But for the most part, I really had to force myself through it.

    I really can't say I enjoyed it.

goodreads.com · Unknown · 2025-09-18
brilliant 4.50

Jimmy Corrigan is a complex and challenging graphic novel that immerses readers in the life of a lonely, socially-awkward man. The book's intricate structure and detailed craftsmanship demand full attention, offering a rigorous experiment in narrative that is often bleak but ultimately rewarding.

Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth is a monumental work that pushes the boundaries of the graphic novel form. The story follows Jimmy Corrigan, a middle-aged man leading a drab and isolated life, as he reconnects with his absent father and discovers the complexities of his family history. The novel's intricate structure, detailed illustrations, and historical references create a rich, layered narrative that is both challenging and deeply engaging. While the book's bleak tone and complex structure may be off-putting to some, those who persist will find a rewarding exploration of family, identity, and the human condition. The novel's critical acclaim and literary significance are well-deserved, making it a must-read for anyone interested in the potential of the graphic novel as a literary form.

Quick quotes

    The tremendous impact this book had on the literary establishment made Chris Ware the most celebrated graphic novelist since Art Spiegelman with Maus.

    There is, then, no shortage of irony in the fact that although many thousands of people own a copy of this book a surprising number of them see no real need to read the whole thing, being satisfied merely to own this beautiful object and enjoy looking at the detail of its intricately crafted surfaces.

    If you actually do manage to read this complex and often infuriatingly cheerless book all the way to the end, unlike Paulin or any of his fellow critics then you should find your patience justified by this rigorous experiment in narrative.

arewecarryingon.wordpress.com · Unknown · 2013-09-15
brilliant 4.25

Jimmy Corrigan is a challenging but brilliant graphic novel that explores themes of loneliness, fear, and failure. The book's innovative format and intricate details make it a standout in the genre, resonating deeply with readers who can relate to its protagonist's struggles.

Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth is a graphic novel that pushes the boundaries of the medium. Its unconventional format, with landscape orientation and varied frame sizes, makes it a unique reading experience. The story follows Jimmy Corrigan, a lonely and socially awkward man, as he navigates his bleak life and attempts to connect with his estranged father. The novel weaves together multiple storylines, including those of Jimmy's grandfather and great-grandfather, to explore themes of loneliness, fear, and failure. Despite its challenging structure, the book is a masterpiece that resonates deeply with readers. The protagonist's struggles with loneliness and social anxiety are portrayed in a way that feels deeply personal and relatable. The book's intricate details and imaginative elements make it a standout in the genre, offering new possibilities and setting new standards for graphic novels.

Quick quotes

    This is because Jimmy Corrigan is the best fricking graphic novel I have ever read.

    It opened up new possibilities for me, set new standards, gave me new qualities to look for in graphic novels, such as craziness and crystallized pain.

    The fear of loneliness, of social contact, of rejection- there is a bit of Jimmy Corrigan in all of us, we just manage to hide him better.

Appears in Lists