Book Review: George Sprott by Seth

George Sprott by Seth is an oversized graphic novel that was first serialized in the New York Times Magazine and tells of Sprott's life as seen through the eyes of his colleagues, family members, friends, and foes. Sprott was a local televison showhost in Canada who was once a sensation but has since become dull and overstayed his welcome at the network. Within the first few pages of the novel, the reader discovers that Sprott is going to die of old age.

This graphic novel moves a lot slower than some of his other works and is not as interesting. Though the story may not be that interesting, the graphics and arrangement of pictures are incredibly intriguing. The novel is presented almost like a scrapbook with each page detailing a different day or time in his life. Some of the segments are memories from his past as a poor boy in a dysfunctional family. Others are memories from his journey to Antarctica and the film that he shot while there. Interspersed with his own memories, are those of his colorful friends, family members, and co-workers.

Personally, I thought that this work was a bit disappointing. The narrator is extremly informal which is comical at times and irritating at others. Though the art is wonderful, there is little action and no plot that fuels the art. Being that I am a fan of Seth, I found this work more telling about him than about the actual characters. Still, it was not autobigraphical in the way that It's a Good Life if You Don't Weaken is. Though it is not his best, it is still interesting.

-DLP