On the Coffee Table: Something New

Title: Something New: Tales from a Makeshift Bride
Writer and Artist: Lucy Knisley

via Amazon

This is my third Knisley graphic novel memoir.  This time, she's getting married.  While she does tell the story of the long, meandering courtship, most of the book is devoted to wedding planning itself.  As with many couples, Lucy and her now-husband John worked hard to personalize the affair.  In their case, that meant DIY decoration projects and relying on the generosity of friends, family and neighbors. 

Our own wedding - also planned for outdoors in the woods - was 18 years ago in June.  I loved our wedding - probably the most beautifully planned and executed day of my life.  All credit to my wife who did the lion's share of the work.  I must say, though, I'm glad to have married well the first time as it's not an ordeal I'm eager to go through again anytime soon.  So much stress that, wonderful as it was, it was all too easy to wonder why more people don't simply elope.

For me, the best reason to have a wedding - rather than just knocking out the paperwork at the county clerk's office and being done with it - was the gathering of loved ones.  Due to our own life meanderings and those of our families, the people who are important to us are pretty well scattered.  The wedding was probably the best opportunity we'll ever have to bring so many of them together in the same place at the same time.  We also had our wedding in the style of the Quakers (gotta love Pennsylvania) which meant we faced our guests during the service.  I am grateful for that choice.

I suppose we have our daughter's wedding to look forward to one day.  I have no doubt that she'll work just as hard to personalize hers.  She read the book, too, and latched onto a couple of ideas: poutine and a wedding dress with pockets.

Knisley's books are always well executed.  Her material is so personal - a plus, big picture - that I am always left wondering what I would think of her.  In all honesty, I don't think I'd care for her - a bit too self-absorbed.  I think I'd like her husband John better.  Even so, the book is fun.