Hogbook and Lazer Eyes by Maria Bamford

Hogbook and Lazer Eyes Reviews

• 
  Zachary Dillon

  I have the earlier paperback edition of this book, and it's beautiful. Funny, honest, and moving. A short read, but I teared up at the end. Been a huge fan of Bamford for years, and it's wonderful to see this collaboration with Cassidy, who is a strong artist in his own right.
• 
  Tracy

  I have been awaiting the release this graphic novel by Maria Bamford and Scott Cassidy. I am a fan of Maria's stand up comedy and Scott's paintings. Received it today and was not disappointed; except I do wish it was longer. Sweet story told from the perspectives of their senior rescue dogs.
• 
  Thom

  Note: I received access to read this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
  
  I really like Maria Bamford, and the idea that she would have her pugs write a comic book sounds like just the type of whimsy that should work... but it doesn't. There isn't much of a story through line. Lines that would have landed if Maria Bamford said them out loud don't land when said by a realistic aging dog. It's also very short coming in around 60 pages that seem padded out. There's some cute stuff and the artwork is well-done but lacks personality.
• 
  Chris Brook

  Another 2024 graphic novel. This one published by Fantagraphics. Short and a little discombobulated at times but equally funny and touching; a bonus if you're a fan of pug content.
• 
  Melki

  This is a real treat for dog lovers!
  
  Maria Bamford and her husband, Scott Marvel Cassidy, love their canine pals. Together they've adopted several elderly dogs, most of them appear to be of the pug variety. They don't shy away from blind or chronically ill dogs. I honestly don't know how they do it - adopting a creature knowing that its time with you will be very short. (Saying goodbye to a dog once every fifteen years is hard enough for me.) So, get your hankies ready, this one has many instances of dogs crossing the rainbow bridge where they can frolic unimpeded in meadows full of wildflowers and butterflies.
  
  The book is a fun mix of graphic memoir and dog comics. I particularly loved the tale told by The Potato, a favorite dog bed, about all the canine nappers it has hosted. My only complaint is that the book should have been longer! (And, maybe not included the Michael Flatley bits.)
  
  Many thanks to NetGalley and Fantagraphics for the read.
• 
  John “Hoss”

  Thank you Fantagraphics and NetGalley for the ARC. I was interested in reading this book for the perspective of the pugs, and while you certainly do get that in this book I really felt like I wanted more. The development with the couple starting their courtship and acquiring each furry friend was nice and welcoming, but for me at least, I really was expecting a personal narrative within these pups and what kind of life they would have. It’s there, but it’s just an implied canine perspective from their owners. After reading something like Watership Down a few months ago, I was almost expecting an animal driven perspective/story, and not just the owners talking about when they were rescued, lived, and died. The art is clever, and for people aware of this couple and their Netflix series will probably find something satisfying with this book. I went into this with no awareness of the Netflix series, and hoping I’d read an animal adventure comic. I’m thankful to read this, but it just wasn’t for me.
• 
  Charlie

  I didn't love this when I first read it. Honestly, it was more of a "me" problem because I wanted something else than what was being presented to me--I wanted Maria Bamford to do her comedy about her mental illness-laced life.
  
  Fortunately I had an opportunity to hear Maria and her husband/artist Scott speak about the book and I realized I'd been going into it with preconceived expectations rather than enjoying the book on its own merits. It's a deeply personal look at a relationship between two people with tons of baggage from the perspective of the pets in their lives.
  
  Originally I was very turned off at the frequent deaths of the pets (there's like five dog deaths in this book) but Maria and Scott are really into fostering older dogs with health problems or physical limitations and, if you take it as a tribute to those lost friends, this is a very beautiful tribute.
• 
  Ije the Devourer of Books

  I loved this book. I don’t know anything about the author and I had to find her shows on Netflix which I shall enjoy watching. This is just a great story of finding love, creating family and loving dogs. I think the artwork style is just perfect for the story and I loved how the different dogs also spoke in the story. I felt their loss as they passed away from old age and ill health but I loved the devotion of the author and her husband.
  
  This is just a glimpse into the life of another person in a country miles away who I know nothing about, but it was such a beautiful and caring introduction and a moving graphic novel.
  
  Copy provided via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
• 
  Lauren

  I love Maria Bamford’s comedy and enjoyed her autobiography. I also love dogs and have an elderly dog myself who I dote on. I also love graphic novels. This was lovely, a simple story about Maria and her husband falling in love through the eyes of their many ailing dogs. I love my old dog and there is a lot of benefits to adopting a senior even if your time with them is short. While LOTS of the dogs in this book pass, they are basically running a hospice home for pugs, so it wasn’t a drag. This is humorous, but it’s not lol-funny like watching Maria do stand up. The art is lovely. If you love Maria or you love dogs and art, then check this one out!
• 
  Kony

  Received this as a gift from a dear friend shortly after I lost my sweet pup to chronic kidney disease. Although I’m not familiar with the authors, and their sense of humor is a bit different from mine, I found their little graphic memoir quirky and cute.
  
  I related (unfortunately 😬) to the online dating anecdotes and appreciated the affectionate characterization of each canine family member. Somehow, in my grief, it felt comforting to read an illustrated narrative about someone else loving and losing their beloved fur babies. It helped me feel less alone in my doggie bereavement and more cognizant that loss is part of life, just as grief is part of love.
• 
  Lisa Davidson

  A love story told by pugs -- while I don't usually gravitate toward love stories, how could I resist a love story told by such charming narrators? And this story wasn't sappy, it was realistic to the point of being heartbreaking. The two main characters meet on a dating site and manage to get past a history of unsatisfying situations to create a beautiful relationship.
  Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this.
• 
  Lisa Gisèle

  I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.
  
  I enjoyed what I read in this autobiographical graphic novel. I did have to stop once Blueberry died. My Frankie just passed of a brain tumor and I can't stop crying about it. Obviously, you would not know that while writing your story, but it's been hard. I decided to rate what I read and I liked it. It Has a voyeur feel in it that's quite fun. Like reading a stranger's diary.
• 
  Veronica

  Thank you to Fantagraphics, NetGalley, Maria Bamford, and Scott Marvel Cassidy for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!
  
  I like that this comic tackles issues centered around mental health, setting boundaries, getting therapy, and of course, rescuing dogs. A cute tale with beautiful illustrations throughout.
• 
  Steven

  Theoretically a book about Maria and her husband, it's told by her dogs, and it's really about her dogs. Normally when I'm reviewing books by certain people, for example really quirky people like Maria Bamford, I'd say "You probably need to be a fan of her already..." But, no. I adored this book so much. It was funny, but sad, but touching, but funny.
• 
  Rae

  I came across this book randomly at an indie book shop and I'm so glad. It is so perfectly up my alley. Comic that is a kind of oddly told story? Check. OLD PUGS! Check. I found myself tearing up at some of the pages because of how perfectly captured some of the pug images were. It will not be for everyone, but it is 100% for me. I'm glad I bought a copy for my home library.
• 
  Elizabeth Norman

  I really enjoyed this graphic novel (received through Netgalley), especially the portrayal of the couple's dogs. The dogs were very realistic, poignant and funny. Appreciate the art as well. Recommended
• 
  Chad

  This was almost completely incoherent. It's like random asides noted down in a diary, but by dogs. I thought it was going to have a point, but the only point seems to be that Maria Bamford and her husband like to adopt elderly pugs. The art is also pretty poor.
• 
  Lady Jayme,

  A funny and surprisingly emotional read about Maria Bamford and Scott Marvel Cassidy's relationship as told by their elderly dogs. And FYI, "Hogbook" and "Lazer Eyes" were Maria and Scott's usernames on the dating site OkCupid - obviously a match made in heaven!
• 
  Mark Schiffer

  Maria Bamford is one of my favorite stand-up comics so this was an automatic read for me. Hogbook and Lazer Eyes is a collaboration with her husband, and covers their experiences adopting and taking care of various senior dogs. Man, it's a lot.
• 
  Jen

  This book is a delight. I love that the story is told by their rescue pugs. The dating/love story falls away about half way through, and the focus becomes the pugs themselves. I thought that made the narrative a little uneven...but I didn't mind.
• 
  Sarah Baenen

  This was a sweet and charming story infused with empathy and a wry sense of humor. The artwork complimented the story, and though I was skeptical of dog narrators, it worked.
  
  ARC from NetGalley
• 
  J. Grabarek

  I love Maria Bamford's comedy and I love pugs. I have read every pug book that is out there, and this book is so sweet and touching and made me tear up. I can see myself rereading it many times.
• 
  Nikki Dy

  I’m not crying, you’re crying.
• 
  John

  Charming and melancholy.
• 
  Scott Butki

  creative and charming,about maria and her partners relationships with their pets
• 
  Theresa Niemiec

  Visually interesting and sweet.
• 
  Bridget

  If you like Maria Bamford, you'll like this! I love that she and her husband collaborated on a graphic.