Review by Frank Plowright

Katherine Arnoldi may supply a resolutely generic title, but it’s one that’s steadfastly true to the content, yet perhaps not in the expected way.

There’s no build-up, just a statement on the opening page that Arnoldi gave birth aged seventeen. The lack of sensationalism is a continuing process over simply drawn panels with decorative or descriptive borders as if by the seventeen year old who gave birth. It’s clear from the opening pages that baby Stacie is loved, but the focus is on the work Arnold had to take on in order to support a child.

Her mother refuses to help as she considers Arnoldi has it easy with only one child, but she continues to hold onto dreams of attending college while experiencing an early lesson in the priorities of employers. The seeming bonus of an otherwise dangerous job is meeting Dave with whom she moves to Arizona. Thankfully, Arnold is smart enough to jump ship when things turn nasty.

Nasty is in fact a default state as Arnoldi describes her circumstances in the period leading up to her pregnancy and how that occurred. As presented, her family are appalling, and many in her circumstances grow to be similar people, knowing no other way, turning their own resentment on the following generation. Thankfully Arnold’s inclinations lay elsewhere.

Lynda Barry seems an influence on deliberately naive and simple art, displaying skill in the composition of emotionally strong illustrations very much to the point in presenting what’s necessary. A more impressionistic style is used when dealing with grim matters, as people transform into monsters, and Arnoldi is adept at presenting visual isolation.

The word “true” in the title is within quotation marks, and the explanation is only found in the indicia, which notes events generalised, stating everything presented actually happened, but they’ve been reconfigured for a smoother reading experience. It removes doubts that content of a book intended as an inspirational primer might be exaggerated or fictional in places. The most important aspect is to show options remain available, even to young women with no family support. The younger Arnoldi might be considered too trusting, yet some vulnerable teenagers are, and there are occasions when trust pays off, ironically in situations warned against as the book ends.

There’s no talking down and no moral judgement in the matter of fact presentation. Unfortunately, the suspicion is that not enough young women who’d benefit from reading The Amazing “True” Story will actually be able to access it when needed, but as of writing it remains available on the Internet Archive.