Woe

May 1, 2024
A compilation of Knisley's webcomics about the life of her orange house cat, Linney. Linney, "a glorious apricot-hued cloud of softness," loves to yowl about the tragic woes that befall her: She experiences despair over empty food dishes, irritatingly persistent devotion from dog friend Flora, and the aggravations of life with Knisley's "human kitten." Linney's "torrid past" (unknown to her humans, since she was adopted from a shelter as an adult) has left her with a single fang, and she melodramatically expresses her displeasure ("Woe. Woe. Woe.") whenever she's forced to undergo horrible inconveniences. Bestselling comic creator Knisley draws Linney's exaggerated facial expressions and body language in a minimalist way that allows the cat to express a broad range of emotions, from self-important dismay to indulgent contentment. Linney's magnificent fluffiness is shown to great effect, particularly after a humiliating haircut, and the ever-present fang stands out as part of her "Signature SneerTM" when Linney complains. The author's skillful rendering of her devoted attachment to her cat sets this graphic novel apart, giving it an added layer of depth as a mature look at the arc of a cat's life and relationships with her two- and four-legged family members. The clean, attractively colored scenes appear against a plain white background without solid panel outlines, making Linney's expressive green eyes and orange fur pop. The story is conveyed through speech bubbles with fluid, dynamic lettering. An amusing, heartfelt, and bittersweet read that will resonate deeply with pet lovers. (Graphic fiction. 12-18)

COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

June 1, 2024

Gr 8 Up-Acclaimed graphic novelist Knisley delights with vignettes about her cat Linney in this bound collection of her popular webcomic. In Linney's own words, "Prepare yourself to be enveloped by a glorious apricot-hued cloud of softness." Linney's dialogue, in which she speaks directly to her humans, is witty, clever, and at times, hilarious. Both Linney's words and expressions will be recognizable to any cat owner. Tender and laugh-out-loud moments among Linney, Lucy, Lucy's husband, and their three-year-old-aka the "human kitten"-make this collection a stand-out. In one interaction, Lucy is fondly telling her son that three years ago, he was in her tummy. After asking who will come from his tummy, he excitedly shares that this was how Linney came to be, and that she hatched from the egg he laid. A few pages later, he puts his toys under Linney so she can have baby eggs, too. Readers who follow Knisley on social media will already know that Linney sadly passed away in 2019, and those final comics are included at the end of the book. Woe is a beautiful tribute to Linney's life, and will be enjoyed by not only cat enthusiasts but also by readers who enjoy memoir comics with a bit of humor. VERDICT This graphic novel will be thoroughly enjoyed by all and is highly recommended for library collections.-Marissa Lieberman

Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2024
Grades 7-12 Pet parents who are all too fluent in their animal's language will delight in Woe, a collection of comics about the author's late cat, Linney. In a house full of people who dote on her, Linney at times seems to beg, more attention, no, wait, leave me alone, actually, feed me immediately, now be gone with you! Linney faces the turmoil of living with a young child and the terror of a visiting dog. Knisley's draws Linney based on her personality rather than her physical form, showcasing the comedy of cat ownership by depicting an animal that is more a cat-shaped blob sporting a signature smirk than any real-life feline. This is supported by Linney's affected speech, using a cartoonishly expansive vocabulary to make her misery known. Woe also depicts the end of Linney's life, including her health issues and the pain her family went through after losing their beloved cat. Simultaneously heartbreaking and heartwarming, not to mention funny throughout, Knisley's illustrations of life with a spoiled cat are relatable to anybody who has ever loved an animal.

COPYRIGHT(2024) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.