Stitches by David Small is a graphic memoir depicting the childhood of the author, who grew up in an abusive and neglectful family. The story revolves around young David's discovery of a growth on his neck, which is later revealed to be cancer. Through haunting illustrations and minimal text, Small narrates his journey of losing his vocal cords due to surgery and the emotional turmoil he faces in his dysfunctional family setting. The book skillfully transitions between reality and fantasy, capturing the dark and personal tale of David's upbringing in a gripping and poignant manner.

The narrative of Stitches unfolds as a redemptive story, showcasing David Small's resilience and ability to overcome the traumatic experiences of his youth through art. The graphic novel format allows for a powerful depiction of David's struggles, both physically and emotionally, as he navigates through a troubled childhood marked by neglect and abuse. Small's use of illustrations and sparse words effectively conveys the depth of his story, making it a moving and compelling read that resonates with readers on an emotional level.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style employs minimal words complemented by powerful illustrations, creating a poignant visual narrative that evokes deep emotions.

Plot/Storyline:

The story centers on a young boy's experience growing up in a dysfunctional family, highlighting themes of abuse, illness, and personal resilience.

Setting:

The setting spans locations in Detroit, particularly highlighting a tense home life during the mid-20th century.

Pacing:

The pacing is brisk, facilitated by the graphic format, allowing the story to unfold engagingly while still providing emotional depth.

Genres:

graphic novel

memoir

autobiography

Topics:

Notes:

Stitches is a graphic novel memoir by David Small.

The story is told in a comic book format, making it visually engaging.

The author faced a challenging childhood, dealing with an abusive family environment.

Small's father, a radiologist, used radiation treatments for simple ailments, which later caused cancer in Small.

He was not informed about his cancer diagnosis until after surgery, where he lost a vocal cord.

The illustrations in the book are black and white, enhancing the emotional impact of the story.

A recurrent theme is the inability to communicate in his family, leading to a lack of emotional connection.

Art serves as a coping mechanism for Small throughout his difficult childhood.

The memoir touches on themes of neglect, dysfunction, and the need for meaningful relationships.

Despite the dark subject matter, the story shows Small's resilience and eventual triumph over his past.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings for Stitches include themes of childhood abuse, cancer, mental illness, and neglect, which may be triggering for some readers.

From The Publisher:

The #1 New York Times bestseller and National Book Award finalist that "breaks new ground for graphic novels" (Francois Mouly, art editor, The New Yorker).

David Small, a best-selling and highly regarded children's book illustrator, comes forward with this unflinching graphic memoir. Remarkable and intensely dramatic, Stitches tells the story of a fourteen-year-old boy who awakes one day from a supposedly harmless operation to discover that he has been transformed into a virtual mute-a vocal cord removed, his throat slashed and stitched together like a bloody boot. From horror to hope, Small proceeds to graphically portray an almost unbelievable descent into adolescent hell and the difficult road to physical, emotional, and artistic recovery.

A National Book Award finalist; winner of the ALA's Alex Award; a #1 New York Times graphic bestseller; Publishers Weekly and Washington Post Top Ten Books of the Year, Los Angeles Times Favorite Book, ALA Great Graphic Novels, Booklist Editors Choice Award, Huffington Post Great Books of 2009, Kirkus Reviews Best of 2009, Village Voice Best Graphic Novel, finalist for two 2010 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards (Best Writer/Artist: Nonfiction; Best Reality-Based Work).

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About the Author:

David Small author of the #1 New York Times best-selling Stitches, is the recipient of the Caldecott Medal, the Christopher Medal, and the E. B. White Award. He and his wife, the writer Sarah Stewart, live in Michigan.

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Stitches

David Small