FINISHED REREADING BOOK 7. LOVED THIS ONE . I am autistic and an artist ofc I did.
I rlly loved the part in the book where Nate is like “maybe I’m being a jerk for making fun of this guys interest” because the entire time I was like MAN. Breckinridge (is that spelled rigjt idk) is so autistic coded and Nate hates him and gets annoyed when he goes on plant rants. But the like partway through the book Gina makes fun of Nate for liking comics so much. And Nate is like “wait… I was kinda doing that”
I do find the way these books talk about girl artists/cartoonists interesting? Because they always paint them in a very positive light? But also kind of as a spectacle sometimes which gives me mixed but mostly positive feelings? I’m not sure if we are meant to draw conclusions like “this is because men’s art is more highlighted generally” or what Peirce’s overall intention was, but it does intrigue me.
Like, Mrs Hickson acts like it was so unique and craycray that a girl so many years ago was a cartoonist, and a lot of the protagonists are kind of like “I can’t believe girls can be good at art” in the 4th(? I think?) book, but it’s interesting because the books DO SHOW Yes!!! Girls make great art!!! Edna Birkdale, Granny Peppers, and of course Deedee. Nate says his two favorite cartoonists (besides himself) are Deedee and Edna. I love that!
It’s interesting to see a boy artist protagonist gain such an appreciation for art made by girls/women through the Big Nate books? Especially since Nate seems to very often water people down to their worst qualities, it’s so nice to see him grow through the books and find more to appreciate in everybody. It’s so great.
Anyways! I’ve got one more book to go, I think? Excited to reread =]