Every adult has probably fantasized at some point about going back in time and telling something important to our teen selves, something that will put us on track for the life we think we “should” be having now instead of the one we’ve actually got . In this scenario, we’d be in control: we remember being Teen Self; we know where to find ourself; we remember the technology of the time (or the lack thereof); and we know exactly what Teen Self needs to hear. But what if your Teen Self has somethin...

Wow. This gentle time travel fantasy is my favorite graphic novel of 2018 so far.A thirtysomething woman opens the door to her apartment, comes face to face with her teenage self, and is appalled at what a mess she once was. The teenage girl sees the same door as opening onto a future that is unimaginably awful.Maurel weaves a moving tale full of regrets, disappointments and self-discovery as both versions of Luisa struggle with their common dreams, realities and sexuality.This book has the full...

The whole 32-year-old meeting her 15-year-old self was a cool idea. But why was she so mean to her? I didn't get that part. And why are queer-woman stories so bittersweet and melancholy.

Luisa: Now and Then has some really great things to say about coming to terms with your sexuality, but it does so with a very unpleasant main character in Luisa. So, while I appreciated Luisa's journey, I kind of avoided reading her rage-fueled dialogue. Unfortunately, she has a lot of dialogue, the majority of it with her younger self. The time travel conceit is a little contrived, but it works - young and old Luisa both experience growth and encounter a few, very necessary comic scenarios. The...

In the tradition of wacky body swap fantasies like Freaky Friday and Big (still Tim Honks’ best movie) comes the story of a grouchy 33 year old who meets her 15 year old self somehow! They fight, They bite, They bite and fight and bite, Bite, bite, bite, Fight, fight, fight, The Itchy and Scratchy Show Luisa: Now and Then! But, y’know, slightly more serious because LGBT stuff. It’s an ok book. I admired Carole Maurel’s art more than her writing. I loved the coloured washes she used and the line

Luisa is one of those books that makes me glad I started checking graphic novels out from the library instead of buying so many of them. This was fun and I liked the art, but it was a pretty standard coming-out story crossed with a fairly typical "what-would-your-younger-self-think-of-adult-you"/13 Going on 30–style plotline. I enjoyed reading it and I'm sure others would relate to it more than I did, but on the whole I don't think this is going to leave much of an impact on me.

At 272 pages, I was hoping for a little more to this story. Or, at least a little more in terms of explanation for the fantasy elements. Otherwise it's a good solid story of self discovery and acceptance.

I really liked the concept and art here, though some parts were a bit predictable or felt stilted/forced. It's a nice coming-of-age story with a time traveling twist. Overall, it was fun and I liked the ending.

I read this in english but couldn't find that version available on Goodreads. I rather enjoyed this time traveling-esque story about sexuality and self acceptance.

A high-concept narrative. And intriguing. There are two or three parts that verge on the predictable, but otherwise, a strong work.

wow this is so cool and gorgeous and important

A queer romance (of sorts) by Carole Laurel, adapted by Mariko Tamaki. Luisa, living alone at 32, meets her 15 year old self and the focus is on sexuality and coming out and acceptance. But it's sweet, takes its time, and has a loveable cast of characters and some romantic intrigue to go with a side of facing that mother-daughter history. Of course the time travel-identity story is familiar, played for laughs in Back to the Future, and I am reading Paper Girls where the girls meet themselves in

A 33-year old single woman meets her 15-year old self and they are both disgusted with one another. The younger by how she turned out, the older by how she used to dress and act. The story turns into one of self-acceptance as it progresses. There's some magical elements that could use some explaining (and I'm surprised weren't ever explained given that it's 250+ pages). Still, the story is wonderful and so is the art. I love the color washes and the line work. Maurel has some real talent.

Here's a thought experiment for you: Bring your 15 year old self to mind. Can you see that person clearly, or have they become fuzzy and faded with time? Now imagine your 32 year old self walking down the street and bumping into your 15 year old self. How would that feel? What would your younger self feel about you and your life choices? Have you lived up to expectations?I love the premise of this graphic novel, but the execution was rather uninspired. This is adapted and translated, and it felt...

2.5 starsI enjoyed the art quite a bit and I liked what the story was trying to do, I just felt it was jerky and clunky. It didn't evoke the feelings in me I'd expected for a story about past self meeting with future self and both selves having some hard realizations.Some of my dissatisfaction could be chalked up to translation. Despite this being adapted by Mariko Tamaki, the charm that may be present in the original production doesn't come across fluidly here.We have this in the adult section

I liked the premise of this tale, but the execution was lacking. Adult Luisa is such a miserable, mean individual, that is becomes a chore to read, especially when there's no reason given for Teen Luisa to have grown into such a crabby asshole. Luisa also treats her female neighbor and potential love interest pretty poorly --playing shitty games when they go out together-- making the implied chance for a romance at the end a much less happy prospect then the author seems to intend.

This was the last book I got at ALA and the first one I read. I'm a new fan of graphic novels and this one sounded amazing. It's incredibly specific (Luisa---at both ages---is someone who's not entirely sure who she is or what she wants) but I think it's also universal. Many of us can probably relate to the idea that we aren't who we thought we'd be when we became adults. Some of us have better lives, sure, but there are probably also major disappointments that our teenage self would have to cop...

Very well written and beautiful art, however I was not the biggest fan of the ending. It would be immensely better if the past changed the future completely. Instead it was a coming of age story where the protagonist deals with their younger self (or trauma) physically instead of mentally. Good nonetheless, but not speculative enough for my taste.

It is entirely possible my enjoyment of this graphic novel was thoroughly colored by the fact that it was read outside on a nice day with my fiancé (which is a lovely way to read graphic novels) and the fact that it’s been a minute since I’ve read any graphic novels at all. And I liked them. A lot. This one, in and of itself, wasn’t in any way revolutionary or even outstanding, but it was very well done. I didn’t select it or knew a thing about it going in. It turned out to be a coming of age/ c...

The art in this is so gorgeous, and the story is interesting and moving too. It’s weird and unique — it takes the idea of meeting your past self but makes it really literal, like what would happen logistically. I also normally wouldn’t like how absurdly combative everyone is (they’re constantly yelling at each other), but it honestly feels very true to life that you’d be extremely annoyed by everything your teenage self did and said, and that your teenage self would judge you/be disgusted by all...