Keep the Home Fries Burning: A For Better or For Worse Collection

From the bookshelf at my mother-in-law's house.

Title: Keep the Home Fries Burning: A For Better or For Worse Collection
Date: June, 1989
Publisher: Andrews McMeel
Writer: Lynn Johnston
Artist: Lynn Johnston

This collection covers about a year in the lives of the Patterson family, as Elly's best friend Connie moves to another city while in the midst of relationship drama. The move also results in Michael getting separated from his best friend. Over the course of the year, there are new friends and neighbors, a Halloween dance, a new baby among the Pattersons' friends circle, and the possible beginning of a writing career for Elly.

I love the pacing of For Better or For Worse. The stories always feel very real and very grounded, and the author does a great job with putting low-key but effective punchlines in to end each newspaper strip installment while still building multiple long-term storylines.

There were some really genuinely funny gags sprinkled among a lot of excellent storytelling and good character work. The art style is delightful, with enough realism to make the character come to life while still keeping things simple.

Rating: 8.5/10