This is a very light, fun read. Penny is a great introduction to the format and structure of graphic novels or comics, and can be a great resource for beginners in that medium. Penny was originally published as a comic series in The New Yorker over several years. While this means there is little coherent plot and a decent amount of repetition, I believe this could be advantageous to those still trying to figure out the classic comic format. That also means Penny is super easy to peruse, and dip in and out of at will.The only real con I noticed was likely a publishing error. In the edition I have (which I think is the only current edition), there aren’t any page numbers nor a clear labeling system. On the comics which are multiple pages- including the few full stories- there is a small dot on the bottom corner of the page to indicate the beginning and end of a certain strip. This was not a very coherent system in my opinion, and could get slightly confusing.
Overall- a colorful, funny, and introspective book which is great for basically any reader!
- Nelson, Summer of Discovery volunteer
Publisher's description:
This colorful graphic novel features the philosophical and existential musings of a cat named Penny. Told through a collection of stories, Penny: A Graphic Memoir wanders through her colorful imagination as she recalls her humble beginnings on the streets of New York and waxes poetic about the realities of her sheltered life living in an apartment with her owners. Filled with ennui, angst, and vivid dreams, Penny proves that being a cat is more profound than we once thought. A unique blend of high art and humor, Penny: A Graphic Memoir perfectly portrays one cat's struggles between her animal instincts, her philosophical reflections, and the lush creature comforts of a life with human servants.