Literary Life Revisited

Oct 11, 2024 10:26 PM

Author:Posy Simmonds

First published in 2003, Literary Life became an instant classic as readers (and writers) delighted in watching Posy Simmonds skewer the pains and pretensions of the writer’s (and reader’s) calling with her inimitable flair for witty satire and sharp social observation. As well as all the cartoons and comic strips from the original edition, The Complete Literary Life includes 40 extra pages of cartoons, including the two series Rick Raker and Dr Derek, in which two very different heroes attempt to right the wrongs afflicting the writing world, one by brute force and skulduggery, the other with a silky bedside manner.

Reviews

Great graphic novel this. A superhero like none you've seen before. Thrilling but also packs an emotional punch.

—— Ian Rankin

Fans of Steven Appleby’s brilliant cartoons know already of their unique energy… All the same, his first long-form graphic novel, Dragman, will surely bring him massed armies of new admirers. Funny, sweet and emotionally true, it doesn’t so much tip toe on to fraught cultural territory as dance wildly across it. In this sense, at least, it has the added virtue of being at once both wildly transgressive and powerfully reassuring… Appleby has torn up all the rules, and not only those that dictate, at this point in the 21st century, that a person’s identity must be clearly labelled, pinned down like some dead butterfly… It’s all marvellous fun.

—— Rachel Cooke , Observer *Graphic Novel of the Month*

One of the many pleasures of Steven Appleby’s debut graphic novel Dragman is the way it finds a way to refresh the superhero narrative; to use it to discuss masculinity and, in particular, transvestism... Appleby is a cartoonist who is both a capable storyteller and has funny bones… A welcome addition to editorial cartooning in the UK.

—— Teddy Jamieson , Herald Scotland

Both a lively romp and a touching book about coming to terms with yourself, with juicy villains and a funny, likable supporting cast.

—— James Smart , Guardian *Books of the Year*

Super heroes don't come more super than Steven Appleby's transvestite hero, Dragman. Also known as Dolly Marie, Dragman's struggle against evil Black Mist is apocalyptic, neurotic, tender and very funny – and brilliantly drawn in Appleby's nimble, nubbly line.

—— Posy Simmonds

Very amiable in a jovial Quentin Blake sort of way. It’s funny…but its complexity tells you that there is a capable story teller behind the scenes spinning all sorts of plates to fashion a narrative that feels timely and also useful… [Dragman] is a lot of fun with its heart firmly in the right place.

—— Bookmunch

Steven Appleby is one of Britain's leading cartoonists… But in Dragman…he has created something personal… An entertaining thriller.

—— Bleeding Cool

A masterclass in shining an absurdist light on themes ranging from greed and self-doubt to the meaning of life.

—— BN1

Both a lively romp and a touching book about coming to terms with yourself.

—— James Smart , Guardian, *Books of the Year*

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