Asterios Polyp a graphic novel by David Mazzuchelli

This was a very interesting read to me, largely because it is not family friendly as I would have assumed by the name and cover art. The main thing that was a definite surprise to me was when we open the story to Asterios Polyp watching porn while lying in bed fully clothed and preparing to smoke a cigarette. The illustrator chose to highlight the messiness of his room as if to show how much he simply stopped caring. It reminds me of what I say when I've been to busy to clean my house, "Please excuse my home it is a reflection of the rest of my life." The main difference is that when I say it it comes of as a joke, but for him its clear that it is a reality. I couldn't help but feel bad when his apartment caught on fire. It was interesting to see what the illustrator chose for him to grab on his way out, however. Once I found out it was also his birthday, I felt even worse.