{"id":4087,"date":"2009-10-09T06:00:11","date_gmt":"2009-10-09T06:00:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.comicsreview.co.uk\/nowreadthis\/?p=4087"},"modified":"2009-10-08T21:48:42","modified_gmt":"2009-10-08T21:48:42","slug":"giraffes-in-my-hair-a-rock-%e2%80%98n%e2%80%99-roll-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.comicsreview.co.uk\/nowreadthis\/2009\/10\/09\/giraffes-in-my-hair-a-rock-%e2%80%98n%e2%80%99-roll-life\/","title":{"rendered":"Giraffes in my Hair: a Rock ‘n’ Roll Life"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\nBy Bruce Paley<\/strong> & Carol Swain<\/strong> (Fantagraphics Books)
\nISBN: 978-1-60669-162-6<\/p>\n

Biographies are usually about interesting people and\/or interesting times. Or at least famous ones. That makes this fascinating new book relating the incredible life-on-the-edge of ordinary hippie Bruce Paley an engrossing double-threat. Paley isn’t a superstar, he’s just a guy who turned 18 during the Summer of Love, bummed and scammed his way across America, saw some bands, met some girls, narrowly dodged the Draft and had a few memorable experiences along the way.<\/p>\n

Captivatingly illustrated by Paley’s partner Carol Swain in her trademark monochrome line and textures style, we see his highs and lows: life as heroin addict, hookers and Black Panthers, getting by in crappy jobs, following the ever-changing music scene and even the rare brushes with real fame we’ve all experienced: in this case a short, intense friendship with doomed rock star Johnny Thunders.<\/p>\n

Paley isn’t a particularly likable guy, but he and his life are real and human and worth recording – and this small saga of someone surviving some of our most turbulent times is a magical testament to creativity, durability and human adaptability. This is a captivating story and a brilliant use of our medium\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6<\/p>\n