Cut My Hair

Rating:
Summary: A Voice for my Generation
Review: Cut My Hair by Jaime S. Rich is an incredible book.
I read half of it the day that I got it. I couldn't put it down.
I loved how Mason created his own little niche but still felt that some thing was missing. He left his safety zone to get away from the messy, painful life he led. The day he lost his best friend is the day his world got turned up side down, he became lonely, depressed, refusing to speak to those who cared about him. Nothing could take away his pain except for his love for punk rock music.
Jaime S. Rich knows how to get into the mind of the reader and I really enjoyed reading about someone I could relate to.

Rating:
Summary: A truly great rock and roll novel
Review: Cut My Hair is written by former Oni Press Editor Jamie S. Rich with illustrations by such noted comic book artists as Judd Winick, Chynna Clugston-Major, Scott Morse, Mike Allred and Andi Watson, with the title taken from the Who song of the same name off of their Quadrophenia album. As I am a huge fan of both comic books and The Who, Cut My Hair sounded like it was right up my alley. Cut My Hair is a smart, well written, coming of age story. It's also about being in love, not only with another person, but with music. Specifically, Punk rock music.

Set in the early 90's, Cut My Hair is narrated by 19-year old Mason, who lives with his best friend Jack. Jack isn't just his best friend, but also his protector and as close to family as anyone he knows, as Jack hasn't spoken to his abusive, alcoholic mother since he moved out after High School. Nicknamed "Jailbate" (incorrect spelling intended) because of his small size and stature, Mason's life consists of working full time at a comic store, going to Punk rock shows and pining away for Laine, his High School crush. As with all things in life, nothing stays the same. Mason's life begins to change, as he meets and falls passionately in love with Jeane. Before Mason can fully enjoy his newfound happiness, an event occurs which sends him over the edge into a deep, alcohol-fueled despair, from which even the music he loves cannot save him.

Cut My Hair, filled with the longing and heartache of teenage angst, explores both the lifestyle and the music of the Los Angles Punk rock scene of the early 90's with authority and affection. Regardless of whether you're a Punk or not, you'll be quickly drawn into this fascinating, often violent world that, in it's own way, is infused with an underlying sense of romanticism, hope and love.

Rating:
Summary: Not a Graphic Novel
Review: I bought this thinking it was a graphic novel, after enjoying Blue Monday and Scooter Girl.

It's not. Just a novel.

Caveat Emptor.

Rating:
Summary: A book everyone can relate to.
Review: I find it surprising that no one else has taken the opportunity to express their opinion for this book. I cannot think of a better book that even comes close to the writing style of Jamie Rich.

To paraphrase, "Cut my hair" tells the story of 19 year old Mason who copes in this world through his interests. There's his best friend Jack who brought him out of his lonely shell in high school; his girlfriend Jeane who allows him to open up in unprecedented ways; and most of all his love for punk-rock.

One contributor that must not go unmentioned is Chynna Clugston-Major for her illustrations within the book. I have enjoyed her artwork in her graphic novel, "Blue Monday: The Kids are Alright", and it was a pleasure to have her hand in this Mr. Rich's literary opus.

I must point out that this book is not for everyone. If I had to recommend the appropriate reader demography, this book is geared for the teenage and Generation X population. I say this because the majority of the characters fit within this group, and it's told through the perspective of a 19 year old. Of course that is just my opinion.

Rating:
Summary: A book everyone can relate to.
Review: I find it surprising that no one else has taken the opportunity to express their opinion for this book. I cannot think of a better book that even comes close to the writing style of Jamie Rich.

To paraphrase, "Cut my hair" tells the story of 19 year old Mason who copes in this world through his interests. There's his best friend Jack who brought him out of his lonely shell in high school; his girlfriend Jeane who allows him to open up in unprecedented ways; and most of all his love for punk-rock.

One contributor that must not go unmentioned is Chynna Clugston-Major for her illustrations within the book. I have enjoyed her artwork in her graphic novel, "Blue Monday: The Kids are Alright", and it was a pleasure to have her hand in this Mr. Rich's literary opus.

I must point out that this book is not for everyone. If I had to recommend the appropriate reader demography, this book is geared for the teenage and Generation X population. I say this because the majority of the characters fit within this group, and it's told through the perspective of a 19 year old. Of course that is just my opinion.

Rating:
Summary: Jamie Rich -- the next big name in fiction
Review: I just put down this book and had to drop a few lines. Jamie is one of those rare writers able to bring truly original definition to characters and their relationships. You don't observe his world, you enter it, walk its streets, TASTE its dimensions (and boy are there a lot of 'em). It felt as though I was stealing conversations from the characters, rather than reading them.

By all means, pick up 'Cut My Hair'. You won't be disappointed. Jamie is a rare talent. Bravo.

Rating:
Summary: Buy it and keep it close.
Review: I sometimes wonder just what led me to this book; whatever it was I am thankful. While I can't speak for everyone, I can say that this book reswonated with me in a way I've never found before. Mason is the voice of the overlooked, the unnoticed. I often feel that way myself.

I've bought several copies of this book; the first lost when it was loaned to a friend, one to replace it, and two to give away -- one as a gift, one to be loaned. I won't lose another copy again.

Rating:
Summary: Cut my hair
Review: OMG! This book was amazing. I read about this book a few years ago in some music magazine. Somehow, I remembered the title and decided to look it up on amazon. I found it and ordered it and I am greatful I did. Jamie S. Rich did an excelent in developing the character of Mason. The way he uses the first person and really captures what it is like to be a teenager who feels like he doesn't fit in. He finds a way to really show the ups and downs in a teen's life. I could not put this book down. I would recomend it to anyone. I could not have agreed more with the musical taste in this book. And I was able to see myself through Mason. If you are a teenager or not, this book is definetly one to read!!!

Rating:
Summary: GREAT MUSIC JOURNEY
Review: What a fantastic little book this was! I never read ANYTHING that agreed with my views on music as much as this book did. I can't say that I went through everything that the main character went through, but music was his life. Music is my life as well.

Rating:
Summary: GREAT MUSIC JOURNEY
Review: What a fantastic little book this was! I never read ANYTHING that agreed with my views on music as much as this book did. I can't say that I went through everything that the main character went through, but music was his life. Music is my life as well.