Spaniel Rage

(Buenaventura, 2005)
™ and © 2003-2005 Vanessa David & Buenaventura Press

Largely a daily diary of one or two panels per entry, Spaniel Rage is actually at its strongest in the rear section, when it takes on short narratives. The diary entries provide, as they should, a “slice of life,” often the day’s glib moment, though often a dose of vulnerability or touching moment. But the stories make a much better presentation of Vanessa Davis’ ability to isolate an emotional effect and make it resonate, with room to spin out an idea and come back to it.

Still, there are some very powerful, quick hits in the journal, such as “When I feel crappy, it compounds.” Nor is this a sleight to the book’s humor, which often provokes an outright laugh, such as the May 31st, 2003 entry about Cat Power.

— Brendan McGinley

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#1

May, 2005
Cover Price: $13.95
1 copy available for $11.50

Vanessa Davis