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Big Ugly
Work, health, family -- Mel feels like her life is just circling endlessly as she begins to renew her relationship to her brother in this vibrant graphic novel.
Mel isn’t going anywhere – except to work every day. But when she offers the spare room in her apartment to her struggling brother, everything she loves and hates about wanting to live up to the expectations of her family becomes part of her every day again.
It turns out that even as adults, living with your sibling brings back the dynamics of tween rivalries. As Mel tries to rebalance things with her brother, she navigates how to offer help to someone who doesn’t want to need it.
Renowned illustrator Ellice Weaver brings her crisp artwork to the graphic novel form in this powerful story of contemporary life.
Mel isn’t going anywhere – except to work every day. But when she offers the spare room in her apartment to her struggling brother, everything she loves and hates about wanting to live up to the expectations of her family becomes part of her every day again.
It turns out that even as adults, living with your sibling brings back the dynamics of tween rivalries. As Mel tries to rebalance things with her brother, she navigates how to offer help to someone who doesn’t want to need it.
Renowned illustrator Ellice Weaver brings her crisp artwork to the graphic novel form in this powerful story of contemporary life.
100 pages, Hardcover
Published June 22, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 16, 2023
Big Ugly is a beautifully illustrated story that stuck with me for days after I finished reading it. The characters were frustrating in their actions, yes, but the story was deeper than just the things that happened in this book.
October 28, 2024
(4.3) Boundless storytelling that depicts the realities of sibling dynamics. The codependent family dynamic is accompanied by flowing mod type artwork punctuated with curated yet bold colors.
May 6, 2023
I finished this book feeling like the story was largely unfinished. There are such rich characters introduced with complex dynamics and complicated family trauma that feel incredibly real and just when you start to understand its depth the entire book is over. I really hope the author continues this story in some way since it felt like the story ended right before the climax. With vibrant colors and smooth linework, the art is easily the best part of the book.
February 14, 2023
Adult sibling relationship complexity at its finest.
May 25, 2023
Very good portrayal of a complex sibling relationship, but ends abruptly.
December 30, 2023
Score: 3/5
This graphic novel has stunning illustrations; beautiful colors and linework. It's such a shame the story doesn't live up to that standard. I felt we've barely touched the surface with the storyline and our characters before the novel abruptly ends.
I'd definitely consider producing a second novel or even a series, there's so much potential for this one. Perhaps even considering co-authoring it with another writer for a more fleshed out work.
Do I recommend? Sadly, this is a skip to me.
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This graphic novel has stunning illustrations; beautiful colors and linework. It's such a shame the story doesn't live up to that standard. I felt we've barely touched the surface with the storyline and our characters before the novel abruptly ends.
I'd definitely consider producing a second novel or even a series, there's so much potential for this one. Perhaps even considering co-authoring it with another writer for a more fleshed out work.
Do I recommend? Sadly, this is a skip to me.
Blog | Pinterest | Tiktok
September 12, 2024
Interesting art style, taking a generic corporate graphic character look and using it more expressively with a beautiful color palette, body language, and familiar settings made a bit wonky and surreal. But ultimately, I hated the story. It felt like the author wanted you to accept some truth about siblings being in it together (it being the morass of the past and the effects of parents) but the sister was an abusive and horrid person. Felt pointless.
August 10, 2023
"Big Ugly" by Ellice Weaver is an absolute gem of a book that stuck with me for days now. Her thoughtful and humorous storytelling combined with these beautiful and vivid illustrations pulled me into a journey of adulthood and trauma. Although I wanna know what’s next for Mel and Matt, I really like how she ended the story and left few things unresolved. Can’t wait for the next one, Ellice!
December 6, 2023
Big Ugly is a fascinating little work. The narrative begins and ends in tension, making it feel like an unfinished story. Yet, the undefined and unresolved tension weaves into a collection of beautifully illustrated vignettes in the lives of adult siblings. Would recommend as a small, beautiful, and thought-provoking read.
May 16, 2024
I hated this. The art style (perhaps not the author's fault) is very popular with corporate America right now. It's got these big shapeless bodies with tiny heads and solid colors without shading. I felt like it should have been trying to pitch me a prescription drug, not telling a story.
And the story, woof. Petty drama. That's about it.
Avoid avoid avoid.
And the story, woof. Petty drama. That's about it.
Avoid avoid avoid.
January 5, 2024
Was not a fan. The characters in the book were incredibly mean to each other and I didn’t like either one of them. It made me want to scream at the story to be nicer. Pretty illustrations but not a clear storyline either.
August 1, 2024
I feel like I flipped through this at the library and picked it up due to its modern look and color palette, but I just found the story between siblings mean and depressing. Instead, it read like an advertisement for human design coaching.
August 24, 2023
I feel like this book was way too short to flesh out a really interesting and realistic dynamic.
September 10, 2023
Hmmmmm I’d rate this a bit above a 3
Visuals are 5/5
Story is a 3, because it has potential, but doesn’t lift off to where it could be. Some parts do keep me thinking. It also ends a bit abruptly
Visuals are 5/5
Story is a 3, because it has potential, but doesn’t lift off to where it could be. Some parts do keep me thinking. It also ends a bit abruptly
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews