The Diary of a Teenage Girl, Revised Edition: An Account in Words and Pictures

Phoebe Gloeckner’s “Diary of a Teenage Girl” is “An Account in Words and Pictures” of Minnie, a fifteen-year-old who is having an affair with Monroe, a 35-year-old man who is also her mother’s lover. What makes this story so different from other “child abuse memoirs” is that not once in the book does young Minnie (or anyone) claim she was coerced, abused, molested or raped. In fact, throughout the book, we are led to believe that Minnie was an active and willing participant in the relationship.There are endless coming-of-age stories depicting young boys enjoying their budding sexuality without shame, many of them lusting after women twice their age. Usually we are given a view of women as sexual objects, yet deny that they are sexual creatures. This is a story of a teenage girl shamelessly exploring her sexuality with enthusiasm. She is intelligent, self aware, amorous, sexually liberated, without the usual consequential disaster normally associated with these traits. This is one reason why “Diary” is such a unique novel.This 300 page book switches between prose and graphic novel, starting with a detailed drawing of Minnie, dark long hair with short bangs, big eyes looking up into the sky. The words on the opposite page read:“I DON’T REMEMBER BEING BORN. I was a very ugly child. My appearance has not improved so I suppose it was a lucky break when he was attracted by my youthfulness.”You can tell in the drawing that Minnie is not bad looking, but it is easy to get right into her mind-set, because what 15-year-old ever knows she is attractive? We also understand that this character has some insight because she knows it was her youthfulness that attracted the attention of Monroe.Set in San Francisco during 1976, the adults in Minnie’s life have no boundaries, or any understanding of her emotions, needs or intelligence. Her best friend Kimmie is the epitome of all Minnie dislikes in herself. As we get to know Monroe better, we understand that he is an insecure, needy, emotional child at best, and at worst, he is an all-out child molester who should be imprisoned for life.This book is unique, powerful and not for the tenderhearted. If you are bored reading about women that are usually the victim, always innocent, never responsible for their own decisions or their own lot in life, you will find this story refreshing in its truthfulness. The artwork is beautiful and detailed. It’s no surprise the author/artist works as a medical illustrator.I also read “A Child’s Life,” Phoebe’s previous book published in 1998. The graphic novel was classified as pornography and refused entry by customs officials in both France and England. It reads to me as the story-board for the 2002 “Diary”; if you are planning on reading both, start with “A Child’s Life,” not because it’s necessary for the story line, but because reading it after “Diary” might be redundant or anti-climatic.Favorite quote – “I wish I knew someone who was happy” or “My youth is something that cannot be helped.”Previously reviewed on TheLosAngelesBeat.com

Phoebe Gloeckner paints a fascinating portrait of "Lil' Minnie" in this thinly-veiled autobiographical diary of her own life on the rough streets of 1970s San Francisco. Minnie gets into mischief and makes bad teenage choices. She does poorly in school. She has an affair with her mother's boyfriend, Monroe, 20 years her senior. She hangs out with bad influences, takes drugs and puts herself in harmful situations. However, she's also an amazing artist, with life burning bright in her eyes, full of curiosity and intensity.I ordered this book just before seeing the movie version of "The Diary of a Teenage Girl", and wish I'd just read the book instead of seeing the film. The book is much more multi-dimensional about Minnie, whereas the film is a one note sexual study of her affair with Monroe.Gloeckner grapples with the issues that every 15 year-old throughout the decades has grappled with, namely, "What's the point of all this?" and "What do I wanna do with my life?"--both questions going hand-in-hand. She's simultaneously introspective and observant, soaking up the world and people around her.The adult characters are well constructed, though none behave well. They're all bad influences, even more confused about life than young Minnie. Throughout most of the story they're drunk, stoned, spoiled, selfish, inappropriate (and some would argue, criminal).The book, constructed of diary entries, is interspersed with artwork and cartoons. Totally fascinating.Grateful to Gloeckner for baring the heart of her messy teen years, and sharing her brilliant observations on life's absurdities with us. It's a work of genius.

Such a heartbreaking and emotional book. DEFINITELY NOT FOR EVERYONE. It is crass and raw and dark and full of disgusting and horrific things. If you are looking for a light novel that has happiness throughout, look to another book. But it was a real and dark look into the things people don't want to think about or ever experience. Pictures were well drawn and some make light to the artist's background in drawing anatomy work for hospitals. Creepy and raw but a very full experience overall.

I read this in preparation for Phoebe Gloeckner visiting my college campus. She is an amazing writer and artist, and just an all-around interesting human being. This book is devastating and beautiful at the same time, and it talks about sex and drugs and teenage angst without being moralizing or condescending.

update to my first edition (autographed) copy. creator is an astounding marvel. heed the warning on page xix - anything beyond that is solely the responsibility of the readerforgot to mention - I wanted to re-read the printed version before watching the DVD of the movie. Quite surprised SONY had sufficient appreciation to produce the content.

Absolutely love this book. I chose to reread it as I havent read it since high school. I found the book just as interesting and funny as I did then. Love this book!

An incredibly thought provoking, challenging read. It's very gripping, and the illustrations add a further dimension to the book, giving Minnie's world a real texture. It's a very unique book, and I enjoyed it so much that I lost all track of time with it, reading it in two days (bear in mind that I'm a GCSE student, the exact same age as Minnie in fact.) Minnie's self-destructive, nihilistic behaviour resonates with my generation despite being set long before many of us were born. I wouldn't draw the line at classic when describing this book, and I'm certain it will endure for many years more. Minnie, despite all her flaws, is easy to empathise with, and as her situation deteriorates, I felt true despair for her. On many levels, I feel that Minnie is a lot like myself, and within the context of my own mental illness, and my own bisexuality, Minnie's story meant rather a lot to me. I feel as if this book will stay with me for many, many years in my heart. I truly loved this book, and I think anyone, young or old (not too young obviously) could potentially gain a massive benefit from reading this.

Brilliant book! After I saw the movie I had to read this book and its incredible! There are a good mix of comic book strips inside to illustrate the story, I would highly recommend this. Plus the book came in perfect condition!

Bought this after watching the film which is very good. The book is unique as it has comic strips in it as well, however the book at times does seem to ramble. I do think this is a must read for any woman as it is relateable and shows the reality of becoming a woman.

X rated very rude and sexualBut too much for my teenage

I first watched the movie and was captivated right from the beginning.! Such an honest diary for any female to at some point relate. I then picked up the book and again even more captivated, a female secret of a book.