Jamaica Dyer

Warning - there be (very slight) spoilers ahead.

A little disclaimer. It's a little strange to see so many reviews of "Weird Fishes" complaining about how, well, "weird" it is. The book jacket describes the plot as being the conflict between a bunny suit wearing middle schooler (impartial to cigarettes) and a girl who sees giant ducks. I don't know what you were expecting.

Anyway, how is the plot in itself? It's definitely weird, but we already had that base covered. It's this odd, metaphorical story about holding onto innocence while growing up. The boy refuses to change out of a costume that he's had since he was five, and when he realizes that he's growing too large for it, cuts it up and modifies it so that some of it can still fit onto his body. I think it's a bit obvious what Dyer was going for here. The girl, on the other hand, is a bit more mixed. A good part of the graphic novel revolves around her seeing things that aren't really there; childlike apparitions, such as little red planes and large ducks. But a mysterious, shadowy figure begins to invade, ruining all of her fantasies. I guess it must be a comment on adulthood, but this is muddled by the fact that the girl's "visions" actually become real about halfway through the novel. As in, everyone can see and interact with them - until, of course, they become violent. I suppose this is symbolism that describes how totally holding onto childlike innocence isn't beneficial? I'm really not too sure. Nevertheless, the open ending is one totally befitting of the overall plotline. The boy's crush is revealed to be an utter jerk. His sister is suddenly a lesbian. Him and his now-lover go sailing off into the distance on the back of a giant duck. Nothing makes sense, and it's not supposed to. Because that's how life is. And I think that's pretty neat.… (altro)