David Small (1) (1945–)
Author of Imogene's Antlers
For other authors named David Small, see the disambiguation page.
About the Author
David Small was born on February 12, 1945, in Detroit, Michigan. He studied art and English at Wayne State University, and went on to complete graduate studies in art at Yale. After receiving his MFA degree, he taught drawing and printmaking at the State University of New York, Fredonia College, show more Kalamazoo College, and the University of Michigan. He also created editorial cartoons for publications such as the New Yorker, the New York Times, and the Wall Street Journal. In the 1980s, he lost his teaching job due to cutbacks. It was then that he committed himself to combining his loves of writing and art. His first picture book, Eulalie and the Hopping Head, was published in 1981. He earned a 1997 Caldecott Honor and The Christopher Medal for The Gardener, written by his wife, Sarah Stewart. In 2001, he received the Caldecott Medal for his artwork in So, You Want To Be President? by Judith St. George. His editorial drawings regularly appear in publications such as The New York Times, The New Yorker, GQ, and The Washington Post. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Works by David Small
Associated Works
There's a Girl in My Hammerlock — Illustrator — 1 copy
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Birthdate
- 1945-02-12
- Gender
- male
- Nationality
- USA
- Birthplace
- Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Places of residence
- Detroit, Michigan, USA
Mendon, Michigan, USA - Education
- Wayne State University (BA)
Yale University (MFA) - Relationships
- Stewart, Sarah (wife)
Members
Reviews
Stitches: A Memoir by David Small
Dark, heartbreaking and beautifully rendered story of the author's loveless and violent childhood in Detroit. The drawings alone are worth the read; Small notices the tiniest details and imbues them with meaning. Ultimately a story of triumph and healing, Stitches is one of the most evocative graphic novels I've read in recent years. (I got it out of the library but just purchased it to keep with me.)
David Small illustrates three melancholy short stories, two adapted and one of his own creation. It's less a graphic novel and more a picture book for adults with the majority of the text being typeset blocks around the illustrations with a few word balloons tossed in for variety here and there or in the rare sequential panels. The look and feel put me in mind of Will Eisner trying his hand at horror, but not in the style of the robust Spirit strips of his youth but rather the contemplative, boring stuff he did late in life.
"The Werewolf at Dusk" is a lament about aging from a werewolf who has passed into senior citizen status. The original version of Lincoln Michel's short story is available to read for free at Buzzfeed.
"A Walk in the Old City" is an annoying dream sequence that at least has a clever twist at the end.
"The Tiger in Vogue" is a depressing allegory about the rise of Adolf Hitler in 1920s Germany. It is adapted from a French short story by Jean Ferry from 1948.
FOR REFERENCE:
Contents: Introduction. The Beast Within -- The Werewolf at Dusk / Story by Lincoln Michel; adaptation and illustrations by David Small -- A Walk in the Old City / Story and illustrations by David Small -- The Tiger in Vogue / Story by Jean Ferry; adaptation and illustrations by David Small -- Author's Note on "The Tiger in Vogue" -- Acknowledgments -- About the Author… (more)
"The Werewolf at Dusk" is a lament about aging from a werewolf who has passed into senior citizen status. The original version of Lincoln Michel's short story is available to read for free at Buzzfeed.
"A Walk in the Old City" is an annoying dream sequence that at least has a clever twist at the end.
"The Tiger in Vogue" is a depressing allegory about the rise of Adolf Hitler in 1920s Germany. It is adapted from a French short story by Jean Ferry from 1948.
FOR REFERENCE:
Contents: Introduction. The Beast Within -- The Werewolf at Dusk / Story by Lincoln Michel; adaptation and illustrations by David Small -- A Walk in the Old City / Story and illustrations by David Small -- The Tiger in Vogue / Story by Jean Ferry; adaptation and illustrations by David Small -- Author's Note on "The Tiger in Vogue" -- Acknowledgments -- About the Author… (more)
A quick but masterful graphic novel told as three short stories. The Werewolf at Dusk is about the changes an aging werewolf goes through. Still able to change at the full moon, yet hardly able to chase a squirrel or climb up stairs. A Walk in the Old City is about a shrink who loses his way at night. Attempting to psycho-analyze himself will not getting him out of the mess he stumbles across. The final story is The Tiger in Vogue which is a terrifyingly whimsical look at Hitler's rise to power in Germany. Unique and wonderful storytelling in that one. Fantastic illustrations grace the pages of all three stories. I wish it were longer!… (more)
Content warning: emotional child abuse, visceral images of surgery and bodies
A quick read, lots of rich imagery. I'm enamored by Small's gorgeous line work.
Reminds me of Asterios Polyp, maybe because of all that imagery and the heavy themes
A quick read, lots of rich imagery. I'm enamored by Small's gorgeous line work.
Reminds me of Asterios Polyp, maybe because of all that imagery and the heavy themes
Lists
Reading Rainbow (1)
to get (1)
Awards
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Associated Authors
Statistics
- Works
- 15
- Also by
- 15
- Members
- 5,374
- Popularity
- #4,636
- Rating
- 4.1
- Reviews
- 300
- ISBNs
- 130
- Languages
- 8
- Favorited
- 2