The Complete Far Side 1980-1994 (2 vol set)
by Gary Larson, Steve Martin
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Book Reviews of The Complete Far Side 1980-1994 (2 vol set)
Book Review: A Wonderful And Beautiful Boxed Edition
Summary: 5 Stars
This two volume edition of the Far Side would make a wonderful graduation gift (or birthday or whatever occasion gift) -- especially at its current $54, down from the listed price of $130. (As an aside, I paid double for my copy a year ago.) Image the Library of America giving its lavish production style to the complete works of Gary Larson and you have an idea of the quality of the binding/printing/paper quality of this set.
The reader needs to be aware that each book is oversize and heavy (about ten lbs per volume: 1980-1986 and 1987-1994). Nor is it a book that one would read straight thru (not with 4,000+ cartoons), but rather to read one year's worth of drawings, laugh aloud, put down and pick again later for another browsing. There are brief essays that go with the color and B/W cartoons (up to 6 to a page).
The only humor set that I would compare this edition to would be the eventual 25 volume set of "The Complete Peanuts" by Charles Schulz (only three books have been published so far: 1950-1952, 1953-1954, and 1955-1956). While Peanuts can appeal to any age group, The Far Side needs an older teen or older to appreciate its absurd, but with a straight face style of humor. I highly recommend this box edition.
Book Review: a trip through history
Summary: 4 Stars
If you are of a certain age then you grew up with the daily Far Side and likely had a Far Side calendar on your desk at some point. I love Larson's humor and this two volume set (as some have noted it is very very heavy) is well worth reading and re-reading. All the normal Larson favorites are there: the bugs, the nerds, and animals of all sorts. I've enjoyed coming across those special cartoons that touched me at some point in my life in the 80's and 90's.
I found the introductory comments for each year by Gary Larson to be fluff pieces, hardly worth reading and they don't add much to the overall edition. Perhaps as funny as some of the cartoons are the letters from people and companies who have been impinged upon by Gary's humor; some of the letters against his cartoons are funny because of the poor grammar, spelling mistakes, and indicate that the world indeed is populated by people as strange as anything ever included in a cartoon.
After reading through the volumes over the Christmas vacation I'm not sure what to do with the books now. They are too large and heavy for bedside reading and don't fit the mold for a coffee table book. I guess they will go back on the shelf until the next time I need a Larson fix.
Book Review: Coffee table book or the table itself
Summary: 5 Stars
As others have commented, these volumes are heavy and massive, 18 pounds to be exact, according to one of Larson's essays which introduce each year of cartoons. The content is well worth the weight of the volumes and the hefty price. Have you ever seen coffee table books called "The Works of (fill in famous artist's name)? This is the equivalent for a famous artist of our time. I think Larson's works deserve it. For a dozen years and more (with the calendars) I have laughed or moaned daily at the Far Side comics. Yes, it's true, now and again I couldn't figure out what Larson's point was, but over the years I cut out hundreds of Far Sides and kept them. Those yellowed and dried pieces of paper have now been replaced by these magnificently printed and bound volumes that should preserve all that amusement in pristine condition for a very long time. And, lest we forget, Larson frequently enough made pointed comments about the odd directions modern society sometimes headed in in the last half of the 20th century. To have his works complete is almost more than anyone could have expected. These books are a treasure. Save up and get them. What a gift the endless hours of laughter they provide would make.Book Review: Almost perfect...
Summary: 5 Stars
Four caveats...1. This edition is complete, but not "compleat." Though it includes all the syndicated strips, it doesn't include several classics that never made it to syndication -- eg, the panel that shows husband-and-wife beetles with the caption "I'm leaving you, Ralph, and I'm taking the grubs with me." was originally two _flies_ -- "I'm leaving you, Ralph, and I'm taking the maggots with me." The original is notably superior -- but it's not included. Don't toss out your "Prehistory of the Far Side."
2. Incredibly, there is no caption or subject index! You'll have to manually locate your own favorites, then make up your own index -- or insert PostIt bookmarks.
3. The temptation to read 100 pages at a time is overwhelming, but resist it. The ironic weirdness of "The Far Side" is blunted by excess exposure.
4. Gary Larson's interpretation of the infamous "cow tools" panel is incorrect. It's really about the fact that cattle view the world differently from humans, and would therefore create different sorts of tools -- if they made tools at all. (It is indeed possible for a critic to understand an artist's work better than the artist. So there, Mr. Larson.)
Book Review: Fantastic Set...But a word of caution regarding the books!
Summary: 5 Stars
One cannot help but admire the care and thought that went into the making of this of this anthology of Gary Larson's Far Side comics...Larson takes up the mantle of the late Charles Addams with his own stylized brand of macabre humor, and it is a treat to have such a collection at your disposal...However, I must protest the decision to house such a mammoth undertaking in only two volumes. The books can only be read while on a flat surface due to the weight of the pages. Take note, that should you attempt to read these while having them propped on your lap, while sitting in your favorite easy chair, you will eventually cause damage to the binding, as you will undoubtly note how the pages will sag towards you. Over time, this can cause the bind to separate from the spine. You will also damage some selected portions of your anatomy as the edge of the binding burrows itself deep into your flesh! The presentation of these fine cartoons would have been better served had they been divided into four, rather than two volumes. It's a minor annoyance, and does not detract (too much) from enjoying the set, but take caution on how you handle these hernia inducing books.... Recommended with the slightest of reservations...