Pedro and Me: Friendship, Loss and What I Learned

Simply put, in writing and drawing "Pedro and Me", Judd Winick has produced one of the best books I've read in the year 2000. Part auto-biography, part comic book, part social issues, Winick manages to blend it all together in this stunning literary tribute to a "hero" of the AIDS generation.The book recounts the days before, during, and after the tulmultous months spent living in the crazy house "Real World" house in San Franscisco. We learn a little bit about Judd growing up, and how he came to be a "bleeding heart liberal". But here is the first suprise! Coming to learn that he might be living with a gay man with AIDS, Judd is forced to confront not only his own fears about the disease, but his own prejudices about everything. That I believe is the complete brilliance of his story. He shows us his own growth, not in a preachy, "you-need-to-do-this" way, but in an honest "this-is-what-happened-to-me" way. It is through his honest struggles that we as readers are carried through with him.But lets not forget Pedro in this as the engine that powers the story. We see a deeper Pedro not shown in the show, a sicker Pedro, a frail Pedro that is truly struggling on a daily basis with his health. We see a human Pedro, instead of his role on the show, "gay man with AIDS". The respect and love Judd has for Pedro comes across beautifully in the book, and we love both of them all the more.Don't worry, you need not have seen the Real World San Francisco shows to be impacted by this book. Judd draws us a portrait of his own Real World, with the hopes and the joys and the pain for all of us to share and see. And we leave his book "Pedro and Me" truly transformed about how we see and act in our own Real Worlds.Thanks, Judd. And thank you Pedro.

"Reality TV" isn't something I go in for, but I watched the San Francisco Real World episodes because of Pedro Zamora -- and because of an online friend I had who was living with HIV. When Pedro died, President Clinton commented that now we everyone who'd seen that show knew someone with AIDS...But none as well as Winick, his roommate during the six months the show filmed. He tells the story of their friendship and how Pedro changed his life and that of fellow housemate Pam, who is now his fiancee. When Pedro died, Judd hit the speaking trail for him, talking to student groups, educating them about AIDS... and this book does the same. This doesn't feel like a dry textbook, but it's educational nonetheless... and that's as fitting a tribute as possible to a fallen AIDS educator.Poignant. Humorous at times, heartbreaking at others. Nicely illustrated. This book will leave you thinking -- and feeling. If this doesn't win the Eisner awards next year, I'll be surprised. Another reviewer called it this decade's Maus, and I'd be inclined to agree.

In this Summer of Reality TV and opportunities to win $1 million by screwing over or excluding your island or room-mates, Judd Winik, a cartoonist, and member of the third season of MTV's The Real World, presents us with the true story of living on a reality TV show for six months, where the prize was not $1 million and a Hollywood contract, but a lifelong lesson in friendship, courage, and love. Written in cartoon, or graphic novel, form, this is one of the few cartoon books that will choke you up. (not even Art Speigelman's Maus did it as well). Judd takes us behind the scenes of life in the Real World house, and imparts to us what he learned about friendship and striving to be a mensch in one's life. Behind the scenes, Judd tells us about the night sweats, the pneumonia, Pedro's anxieties, and Judd's growing fondness for his housemate (now fiance), Pam. The reader will also learn more about the life and death of Pedro Zamora. The first four chapters cover Pedro's life before his invitation to join the Real World 3 cast. Born on a leap day in a leap year in Cuba, anointed as a Grande Cabeza, Pedro grew up to be a scholar, track team captain, friend, brother and son. Zamora faced the realization that he was HIV Positive when he was only 17. Judd's book graphically conveys how Pedro, a popular student, faced his school and announced that he was living with the virus. With 25% of all new AIDS cases occurring among American teens, the book serves as an additional wake up call to readers and educators about why these issues must be confronted and discussed openly. As with Matthew Shephard, many Americans believe that Pedro Zamora gave more by dying than by living. This is far from the truth, and readers can get confirmation of this by reading this book....

I knew of Judd, not through MTV but through his outrageous Barry Ween Comic series. He scores high with me as a comic artist and entertainer but I was very unsure as to how he would handle such a challenging subject.I am no longer unsure. This book is beautiful! After reading Pedro and Me and feeling the love and loss expressed by Judd, I kick myself for not having watched Real World. I feel a tad diminished for having not known the man capable of making both Judd and his now fiancee Pam, dedicate themselves to him and his life.There are few books I have read in my 30+ years that truly moved me to the point that I questioned the way I look at life and interact with others. Pedro and Me is such a book and is a must read for anyone.

After reading Pedro and Me (in one sitting, I found it impossible to put down), I felt as if I had gone on a journey. Throughout the story I was amazed by Judd Winick's honesty and was moved to near tears several times. I felt a connection with Pedro and mourn the loss of his life. I am impressed that Winick could even find the strength to tell such a personal and moving story. Even though I loathe Mtv and despise the Real World, this book (which takes place during the filming of Real World 3) moves past the setting. It is in no way a behind-the-scene look at that hideous show nor is it overly sentimental cheese. This is a glimpse into the life of man who died far too young and left the world a better place than he found it.