Ghetto Klown

December 15, 2015
Actor, writer, and playwright Leguizamo gives readers a warts and all view of his life in this brutally honest graphic memoir adapted from his Broadway show. From his earliest days Leguizamo struggled to find his path but always used humor and performing as a way to connect and establish his worth. Even as his career took off, Leguizamo fought against relentless self-doubt that almost sabotaged him several times over. Eventually, through honest self-examination and acceptance, Leguizamo was able to harness that conflict and transform it into an acclaimed performance piece. Leguizamo's antics and intense experiences translate well to the page. Done entirely in a gray-scale palette, the artists heighten the emotional drama with heavily shadowed passages and large climactic panels. While the storytelling feels rushed at times, Leguizamo is at his best when he strips away the entertainer and lays himself bare, owning up to his mistakes without self-pity or judgment. Though Leguizamo has matured, this insightful and engaging memoir still offers plenty of youthful edginess.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)