Drawing From Memory h/c back

Somewhat self-indulgent autobiographical work, which is most definitely illustrated prose rather than comics, even though the prose itself is on the ultra-minimal side. This is in fact a collection of very different illustrations of vastly varying quality, plus some photographs which, in conjunction with a few appropriate comments and recollections, recounts the childhood and early illustrative career of Allen Say. I have no idea whether any of his other award-winning fictional works are actually comics, but sad to say this work probably wouldn't make me too bothered to find out. Sure it's a well put together, if a little dull, look back at various pivotal moments in Say's early life that ensured he ended up becoming an artist, despite his father's wishes. The favourite thing about it for me was actually the spot-gloss cover of a teenage boy, presumably Say floating in mid-air with a beatific smile on his face against a plain yellow background. If it's autobiographical comics about a manga master you're after, then look no further than Jiro Taniguchi and A ZOO IN WINTER.