My thanks to NetGalley and Fantagraphics Books for an advance copy of this new graphic novel/memoir that used the style of past comics, one that many remember from childhood, as a way of telling a story about a child whose life was anything but idyllic.

I have loved comic books and comic strips for as long as I have been reading. My taste has changed over the years, but I still love the idea of what comics can do, how they can tell any kind of story. I have always been frustrated by the fact that so many waste the ability of graphic story telling. There are plenty of superhero stories, plenty of horror, plenty of science fiction stories. I want stories about inner conflict, about interesting people who don't need masks to be heroes, they just survive, and in some cases thrive. Sequential art can tell so much about people, share emotional moments, traumas, inner pains, and show us that all the world isn't black and white, that there are more colors, and sadly a lot of that color is red, as in this comic. Precious Rubbish by Kayla E. is a memoir in comic form, told in the style children comics from the 1950's, about a childhood no one should have, a story of guilty, betrayal, pain, and much more. .

The book begins with what seems like a tale of the three little pigs, all with names, and leaving their home to enter the real world. Within a page or two, readers pick up the fact that something is wrong, something disquieting. This is not fiction, this is not a cute story, this is real. As the book unfolds, one is caught in the story, told like a activity comic book, filled with word searches, fun facts, and advertisements, that will at once be familiar, and yet crafted in such a way to keep the momentum of the story always moving forward. The main character is shown dealing with people, women who look away, men who act as predators, all accepted by the public, and those around them. No one seems to see the person that is being hurt, caught in their own drama, religion, southern upbringing, and poverty.

Not the easiest of reads in the slightest. Even harder to sum up. Though I say this writing in my kitchen, after reading this on my couch, so I think I'll be ok. I hope the author is ok. This is a book that once one gets the feeling of what is going on, one really does want to look away, of go no not right now. It is easy to not look, harder to look, but not as hard as it was to live. I give all respect to the author. This is a powerful work, one that is hard to recommend, as I know what many have gone through in life, and I don't want to add to it. However this is really very well done. And these are stories that should be told. Especially now. And stories that should no be looked away from. Especially, especially now. A book that will unsettle, but a book that should be read. And a book that I won't easily forget.

This was definitely not the book for me. It was reminiscent of old-school comics and commentary. I think this piece is eye-catching and can say a lot about our current time and political sphere. Unfortunately, I am not one who is in the mood to listen.

Thank you Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book. These opinions are completely my own

As per my M.O. I didn't read the book description and thought these were comics of war propaganda. They were not. They did however serve as a diary for the author. A diary full of abuse and pain. It is more of a art piece then a book. It feels strange to say it was anything but horrible, but it wasn't. A creative way to release one's pain into the world.