What I’ve found most interesting thus far about Jimmy Corrigan, The Smartest on Earth is how the novel is as much Jimmy’s grandpa’s story as it is Jimmy’s. I actually find myself much more compelled and moved by Jimmy’s grandpa, James’ story. It might possibly be one of the most depressing things I’ve read but I could not stop reading into it. I am still looking for ways in which the two stories parallel each other. They parallel each other in the sense that both James and Jimmy are social outcasts, emotionally detached characters. Their situations differ however in that James’ scenario has a more serious undertone to it.  His story displays a boy who is emotionally scarred and longs for his mother, to which his father blames him for his mother’s death. You could read into Jimmy’s story as having a very serious undertone to it as well, as he grew up without a father figure and is emotionally burdened because of it. The whole book may very well be a commentary on the family life, and the effects a broken home may have on a child. The two stories contrast each other though, as Jimmy’s story displays a jarring sense of humor and awkwardness. We might find it harder sympathize with Jimmy because of his painfully awkward mannerisms and his sporadic sexual fantasies, making his world seem strange and uncomfortable. With James’ story, there are definitely those moments of awkwardness, but not emphasized as much. James is a boy that has just been dealt a bad hand of cards. His father is an asshole, his mother died when he was born, and the kids at school joke about killing him. I personally found it easier to sympathize with James as he is a kid that has just been bullied his whole life and is looking for a sense of peace. As far as I am in the story, I’m not sure what Jimmy wants yet, and sometimes his awkwardness is just painful. I suppose the disorganized panels sort of add to the jarring effect of the two stories, as both convey a sense of twisted emotion on their own levels. But seriously, when reading about Jimmy’s grandfather, I thought it was the saddest thing in the world.

Question for respondents: what do you make of those damn peaches?