Review: An Age of License
I thoroughly enjoyed Lucy Knisley‘s first two graphic memoirs – French Milk and Relish – so was very excited when Heather mentioned An Age of License: A Travelogue. I saw that there was a copy available at our local library so I rushed to get it and was certainly glad I did because, once again, Knisley charmed me with her wonderful drawings and her travel adventures.
When Knisley is invited to speak at a Comics Fest in Norway, she accepts and decides to incorporate other adventures into the trip, spending some time with her mom and some of her mom’s friends in France and meeting up with a Swedish guy she’d met while he was visiting friends in New York. Knisley is excited about her travels but also anxious and she shares all of her worries, the ups and downs of her trip, and the comfort of being home in this quirky memoir.
The title of the book comes from a French saying:
The French have a saying for the time when you’re young and experimenting with your lives and careers. They call it: L’Age Licence.
As in: License to experience, mess up, license to fail, license to do . . . whatever, before you’re settled.
I didn’t think An Age of License was particularly profound but it’s certainly very relatable and I enjoyed it very much. If you enjoy graphic novels, memoirs, and/or travelogues, you’ll want to check this book out!
I am an Indiebound Affliate.
I keep meaning to read this author’s books! You, Andi and Heather have all talked/raved about her book Relish, so I need to get to my library and get a copy. I’ll probably read this one sometime later. Also want to read Displacement. Time to give graphic novels a chance!
Sounds good. I’ll check if my library has any of her memoirs.
I liked her other books too! I’ll have to look for this!
I like the idea of an age of license. My daughter is graduating from college this May and a lot of her friends have jobs and grad school and she feels like she should be settled. We keep telling her she doesn’t have to be. But then again, we can’t afford to send her to Europe.
Haven’t read any of her books but they do sound fun.
I have this one out from the library and hope to read it sometime this month. Glad to hear you enjoyed it! I loved Relish but didn’t care for French Milk.
I need to catch up on this series- I love Knisley’s drawings. Glad you liked this one!
I really enjoyed Relish, so this one sounds like something I’d like
This really sounds charming. Wonderful review, as usual!
I do keep meaning to read something by this author, most people do seem to enjoy her works.
I haven’t read any of her graphic novels before, but this one does sound good.
I’m starting to think about a trip to Rome we’re planning for October and lining up books to read ahead of time. Maybe this would get me in the mood for thinking about traveling! Right now, winter doldrums have hit me hard and all I want to do is curl up on the couch under an afghan and sip on creamy whiskey drinks.
I have never read a graphic novel but this looks like a good one for me to start with since it has a travel connection. Thanks for the recommendation!
I’ve only read her previous book, French Milk, but enjoyed it very much. I wish my library would purchase her other books. For some reason I hate to buy graphic novels or memoirs.
This one sounds delightful. Especially as it’s winter and I’m longing to travel. 🙂
I have this one on my shelf and just haven’t picked it up yet. She’s always so charming and fun to read.
I only though French Milk was okay, not sure if I’ll give her another chance.
I have this one out from the library right now and I’m really looking forward to it! (I also bought it for my sister for Christmas, so I guess if I don’t get around to it now, I can always borrow it from her).
It’s unfortunate that this one is not in my library system 😦
I think I’d enjoy this one just for the adorable illustrations!