A collection of comix and personal essays, including the 30-page philosophical comic book, The Reason She Left.
Seven short graphic stories exploring themes like the scientific process, eastern/western world views, humanism, existential crises, lit-crit, post-modernism, dualism, feminism, alcoholism, pop culture, dreams, and cosmic consciousness unfold in a journey of discovery around the centerpiece, a 30-page graphic novel called The Reason She Left. This quirky but powerful narrative of ideas follows a college student on a quest to find her own beliefs and identity as a woman with a brain and a heart that desperately want to unite. Each graphic story is introduced by a short personal essays in which the author shares her adventures with the craft, her life, and building a personal philosophy by understanding the ideas of others. The Reason She Left and Other Stories is the follow-up to Caven’s memoir, Perfectly Revolting: My Glamorous Cartooning Career.
"Every bit as entertaining, funny, and challenging to the brain as Larry Gonnick." —Damian Nash, award-winning high school teacher and Creative/Gifted specialist
Professional Reviews
"The holes in duality" —Sylvia Clute
"Kristen's struggle to find the meaning of life is palpable and her commitment is clear. She should have a syndicated cartoon that explores the continuing saga of our Age of Change. Her insights on the holes in duality and the wholeness of unity are valuable." — Sylvia Clute, author of Beyond Vengeance, Beyond Duality: A Call for a Compassionate Revolution
"That Thing" — Ransom Stephens
You know that thing? That special quality that literature brings to making a point? The thing that distinguishes good narrative from essay? Sometimes it makes sense just to come out and say it, make the point; but it's so much more delicious when a writer can take you for the ride and you can see it coming and absorb it in context. That's when sincerity meets reason and defines poignant. Now stir in some self-deprecating humor, leave out the purple prose, and illustrate with love. This special greatness that Kristen Baumgardner Caven brings to her work makes it precious, quirky, and cute - but without ever sacrificing meaning. Would Plato have used graphics if he'd had some decent software? I kinda think so. —Ransom Stephens, author of The God Patent
"A Thousand Ballerinas"
"Kristen Caven brings the disciplined imagination of a thousand ballerinas and the incisive wit of a Gary Larson to her graphic essays on life, love, education, and the real meaning of everything. Hers is a decidedly woman's vision and voice - a woman who has come of age, with full awareness of how she got there."— Libby Comeaux
