Lost at Sea

I'm really not a big fan of young adult fiction, but Bryan writes it so so well. This one is no exception. It might be my favorite work from him now. The characters feel like people I knew as a teenager and the dialogue is super realistically paced and structured. A great expression of the way it feels to look for meaning as you're coming of age. Some slight moments of surrealism added to the mix makes this for a great reading experience that can be digested in a day.

Lost at Sea manages to capture so many feelings so succinctly that even the shortest review seems long-winded. A digest-sized graphic novel, the half and full page spreads of Bryan Lee O'Malley's pencils are so gorgeous they suck you in wholly, betraying the actual dimensions of the page - the reader gets as lost in this world as Raleigh, the protagonist, is. The incredibly apt title says everything about her state of mind, adrift in so many ways: consumed by new love (and the desperate panic that comes with it), literally lost in a foreign land (California), and being completely alone while surrounded by people. She's a character that desperately needs a hug, and she seems so real you want to wrap your arms around her just to lend a little warmth. Tender as the book is, what I think will make you read and re-read it is how universal all those feelings are. Reading it, memories of similar situations spring to mind: the unlikely events that lead to best friends, late night walks through strange towns, and completely losing it to someone you've just learned to trust. That's the real gift of Lost At Sea. O'Malley taps into the teenage heart to create an emotional Rorschach, a beautiful, unique experience for everyone who reads it. Lost at Sea Soundtrack - "Hey Raleigh? Are You Asleep?" 1 - She's A Rainbow - The Rolling Stones 2 - Love Will Tear Us Apart - Joy Division 3 - Gigantic - The Pixies 4 - Out of Gas - Modest Mouse 5 - She Don't Use Jelly - The Flaming Lips 6 - About A Girl - Chibo Matto 7 - A Control Group - Mates of Sate 8 - The World Has Gone and Left Me Here - Weezer 9 - Scatterheart - Bjork 10 - Dirty Dream Number 2 - Belle and Sebastian 11 - I Want Wind To Blow - The Microphones 12 - Selfless, Cold, and Composed - Ben Folds Five 13 - Mine's Not A High Horse - The Shins 14 - Jesus, Ect. - Wilco

I maintain that Bryan O'Malley is one of the few artists actually doing something different that stands on its own merit, and doesn't try to emulate anything else that's being done right now. His art is a refreshing change of pace, and his matter-of-fact storytelling succeeds in capturing the thought processes we all have and puts them on paper. Bryan doesn't mess around. Every panel in Lost at Sea is there for a purpose, and every panel has something to say. There are no computer-colored splash pages or implied action panels, just a wonderful story backed up with a wonderful artistic style. You owe it to yourself to read this book. If you've just been a casual reader of comics until now, this might change the way you look at comic books entirely.

Lost at Sea is a moving story about self-definition. The main character, Raleigh, lies to both herself and those around her as she deals with who she is and the pain that she feels. This pain--it's denial and eventual resolution--is at the center of the book, and, indeed, is part of what makes the story so appealing. So too, are the strangers that Raleigh is with. As she seeks to connect with them, readers can't help but connect with her. Her vulnerability, imagination, and uncertainity make her leap off the page and into readers hearts. In fact, all the characters are the sort of people that you wish you hung around with in high school.Beyond the story, the art is amazing--O'Malley's style is unique and carries all his character's emotions perfectly. The faces are simple, yet expressive, and the action--especially when Raliegh and Steph are jumping on the--is perfect. Raliegh is an everygirl--an everyyoungwomen, really--whose story is entralling, lovely, and ultimately well worth your time and money. Trust me.

So, the book is good, right? I don't know what else to say. I've been captivated by Mal's work for awhile now, (as evidenced in my own recent work.) so buying the book was simply a matter of having the money to do so. Second nature being held back by minor outside forces.The story is interesting, and really does speak volumes about a generation of kids (ie ME) who grew up and found themselves just outside the world. Like it was just out of reach and if only we could gather the courage to leave the house more often, we could see it and experience it. And the only way we end up truly experiencing it and finding ourselves is if we are forced into it. And how we often hate the present we're in but look back on it with nostalgia, wishing we had it back. Not necessarily to do things differently, but just relive those feelings. Plus Mal's characters all do these cute little manga-esque things and the book smells pretty good too.

i first learned of "Lost at Sea" (and Bryan Lee O'Malley) by reading the Lost At Sea comic strips on the Oni Press webpage. after reading all of the web strips, i started visiting Mal's webpage and became an avid fan. thus, i had been waiting for this book to come out for close to two years.its rare that i say something like this, but it was worth the wait.i have read a LOT of graphic novels in the past few years, and the only one that moved me more than Lost at Sea was Craig Thompson's "Blankets." (Mr. Thompson, coincidentally, wrote the shining review on the back cover of Lost at Sea)this book is both playful and mystifying. heartwarming and achingly sad. adorable and thought provoking.the story really hit close to home for me as it reminded me very much of the relationship with my last girlfriend and many of the conversations we shared. Mal has obviously had his share of beautiful moments in relationships, because no one could write such honest and well-developed dialogue and soliloquy on these topics without having been put through it themselves.of course, the story and the script isn't the only beauty of this graphic novel. Mal's art is superb. i don't think anyone else with any other style could have ever illustrated this story as effectively.Mal's cartoony drawing style portrays an innocence and magical quality that is not only adequate for the themes explored, but is absolutely enchanting. the thick lines and heavy spaces reinforce the serious, unsteady nature of the lead character, raleigh. her struggle and insecurities are exemplified by mal's broad strokes and dynamic illustrations.as i said, the book is thoroughly engaging and heart-touching.it may only be a half-hour read. but it is one i intend to read at least once a month until august. probably longer.thank you, Mal, for finally putting this together. now make another, please.