I gave Final Cut by Charles Burnsa a four for the illustrations. They are complicated and straightforward. The story is complex to the point of almost not understanding it. There is no real action (unless you count the two couples who get down and dirty with some mad monkey love), yet a lot is going on. There is language, drug use, alcoholism, nudity, and vomit.
There is actually a story behind why I wanted to read this book. And I have no idea what it was. I do know that I put in an inter library loan request for me and it was filled. So, if you know why, please let me know. However, regardless of the why, I do like this graphic novel. Despite some “little things” that are not “my thing.” First, it is oversized. Think of a coffee table book, only slightly thinner and not heavy. The second is drug and alcohol use. If that makes me a prude and square, then baby I agree. It felt like these characters just used drugs and alcohol because they were unable to really accomplish anything else. And finally, I was never really sure when or where things were set. The where is less important than the when. It gave off 1970s-1980s vibes, but I would not swear to that in court.
However, it is the illustrations that kept me going. It is a terribly quick read and I found myself practically falling as I read. I could feel my “mind words” tumbling. I had to stop myself and read. Not just text, but art too. The imagery presented are some of the most realistic abstractions. They are the breakdown of a mind on a breakdown. They have little color, except for red and some highlight colors. They have an oddness to them as they represent the alienation the character feels. All of this is collected through the lens (figuratively and literally) of a camera and two of the characters.
Above, I mentioned that there is nudity. It is not necessarily gratuitous but it is erotic at times. Is it the character/author/artist being perverted or is it art? This just adds to the surreal nature of the reality these people are living in.
