Stitches – A Memoir

Reviews

Happy Reader

If she protected him from that point on from his grandmother, it isn't told. Oh, and in case you're wondering, the "Stitches" did not result from abuse.

Joelyn

The story starts, I think, in the 50's, and medical knowledge and sociological acceptance were much different than they are now. David acknowledges on the last pages, his later "maturity, reflection and some family research" helps him at least understand his mother. I had, up to that point in the story, no sympathy with Small's mother. But her reaction when David said he was afraid of his grandma, because she was crazy, made me sit up and acknowledge something - David's mother's coldness didn't just spring out of nothing.

Do not let the fact that this is a graphic novel turn you off. There was something or somethings that helped shaped her that way.

Notice, I'm trying not to give too much away - I don't want to spoil it for you when you pick up this book. Finally, I'd like to mention that David's imagination, which oftentimes plagued him as a child, also allowed him to write and illustrate this memoir, which may have been cathartic. Near the end of the story, we learn that there was more than one thing that shaped her unhappiness. This is a complete story, and, I'm not exaggerating, this is one of the best autobiographies I've ever read.

I'm glad that this person had a happy ending, i'm very glad they came out alright despite the surrounding environment. I went through an emotional roller coaster! Most of it is told unflinchingly from the standpoint of David Small as a child, starting at age 6. There is no whining; there is no using the past as a crutch.