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Giant Days: Not On the Test Edition
Giant Days: Not on the Test Edition Vol. 1
Going off to university is always a time of change and growth, but for Esther, Susan, and Daisy, things are about to get a little weird.
Susan, Esther, and Daisy started at university and became fast friends. Now, away from home for the first time, the girls, along with their male hall-mates, Ed and McGraw, find that college is more than academia and bad microwavable meals. In the face of holiday balls, hometown rivals, “personal experimentation,” and regretful hookups, they may be lucky just to make it past their freshman year.
Giant Days: Not On The Test Edition, written by John Allison (Bad Machinery, Scary Go Round) and illustrated by Disney artist Lissa Treiman and newcomer Max Sarin collects the first two volumes of the Eisner Award and Harvey Award-nominated series as well as issue one of the original webcomic in a deluxe hardcover.
Susan, Esther, and Daisy started at university and became fast friends. Now, away from home for the first time, the girls, along with their male hall-mates, Ed and McGraw, find that college is more than academia and bad microwavable meals. In the face of holiday balls, hometown rivals, “personal experimentation,” and regretful hookups, they may be lucky just to make it past their freshman year.
Giant Days: Not On The Test Edition, written by John Allison (Bad Machinery, Scary Go Round) and illustrated by Disney artist Lissa Treiman and newcomer Max Sarin collects the first two volumes of the Eisner Award and Harvey Award-nominated series as well as issue one of the original webcomic in a deluxe hardcover.
256 pages, Hardcover
Published July 11, 2017
About the author
John Allison
311 books832 followersJohn Allison is the author and artist of the British webcomics Scary Go Round and Bad Machinery.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See other authors with similar names.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See other authors with similar names.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
October 6, 2021
Nothing better has been written before or since
December 24, 2022
Люблю забавные слайсовые вебкомиксы с большим ансамблем симпатичных персонажей, чтобы как запрыгнуть на них, так и читать годами, если не десятилетиями, как тот же Questionable Content. Этот выгодно отличается от него наличием настоящего художника.
Пока все очень неплохо, хотя вебкомиксы странно читать собранными в главы и тома. Да, Giant Days в итоге подобрали в ежемесячную серию, но пока уши вебкомикса торчат вовсю - каждая страничка - самостоятельная, хотя все и собирается в одну историю.
Жаль в России издание заглохло на старте прям - первый томик выпустили в бумаге, второй в электронном виде, на этом все. Ну а теперь и вовсе все навсегда.
Пока все очень неплохо, хотя вебкомиксы странно читать собранными в главы и тома. Да, Giant Days в итоге подобрали в ежемесячную серию, но пока уши вебкомикса торчат вовсю - каждая страничка - самостоятельная, хотя все и собирается в одну историю.
Жаль в России издание заглохло на старте прям - первый томик выпустили в бумаге, второй в электронном виде, на этом все. Ну а теперь и вовсе все навсегда.
September 21, 2020
Despite hearing good things about this series, I wasn't really sure what it was about. Recently though, I was looking for something to read, and this was recommended to me again, so I thought I'd give it a go. I'm quite glad that I did - it follows three flatmates in their first year at university and their various (mis)adventures.
I like the art styles here, which was done by Lissa Treiman for the first three quarters (chapters 1-6) and then Max Sarin for the last two. The styles are quite different and when I was flicking through it after first getting hold of it, I thought that the change would be jarring. But when it came to it, I was so absorbed in the story that it barely registered.
I like the three main characters, they've all got a lot of personality and are different enough that they complement each other well. It's very believable that they would be friends, despite being so different. They have the same problems and concerns as other young adults just starting university: getting to know themselves; finding people to love; trying new experiences; making mistakes. It's a lot of fun, and I look forward to seeing where it goes next.
My one, minor, niggle is that although it's set in a UK university and written by a British writer, it sometimes feels very American. I'm not sure if this is just me, but it does occasionally draw me out of the story.
I like the art styles here, which was done by Lissa Treiman for the first three quarters (chapters 1-6) and then Max Sarin for the last two. The styles are quite different and when I was flicking through it after first getting hold of it, I thought that the change would be jarring. But when it came to it, I was so absorbed in the story that it barely registered.
I like the three main characters, they've all got a lot of personality and are different enough that they complement each other well. It's very believable that they would be friends, despite being so different. They have the same problems and concerns as other young adults just starting university: getting to know themselves; finding people to love; trying new experiences; making mistakes. It's a lot of fun, and I look forward to seeing where it goes next.
My one, minor, niggle is that although it's set in a UK university and written by a British writer, it sometimes feels very American. I'm not sure if this is just me, but it does occasionally draw me out of the story.
July 1, 2022
Alors là : c’était beaucoup trop bien j’ai adoré !!!
Les personnages, la simplicité, l’humour, les relations, l’histoire : tout y est ! Sans parler des styles graphiques qui sont très beaux. Je ne m’attendais pas à aimer autant, j’enchaîne directement avec la suite !
Les personnages, la simplicité, l’humour, les relations, l’histoire : tout y est ! Sans parler des styles graphiques qui sont très beaux. Je ne m’attendais pas à aimer autant, j’enchaîne directement avec la suite !
Read
May 16, 2019soooo good! Makes a compulsive read.
Thanks Justin!
Thanks Justin!
June 10, 2022
2.5, meh. Un peu déçue des dessins, histoire pas très folichonne et un peu immature (ça vole pas très haut). Mais un peu de gossip alors j'aime bien quand même.
January 29, 2020
I just find this series utterly delightful.
February 13, 2018
My brother-in-law got me this collection for Christmas and even though I've already read the volumes contained within, my love for Giant Days made this a delight as I able to speed through many issues at once without stopping and even read a prequel comic illustrated by John Allison in the extras that portrays the events alluded to in the first issue that cemented Daisy, Susan, and Esther's friendship. If anyone hasn't started Giant Days this is perfect, introducing college hall-mates and their delightful shenanigans (drama field! Gordon the pigeon!) There are no superheroes in thisx (who need them?) only many, many fantastic faces and rock-solid friendship.
January 13, 2018
This was a sweet little romp into college life with three loveable main characters: Esther, Susan, and Daisy. For a slice of life story, it has some good direction so far, giving the main characters enough obstacles to grow, but enough freedom to give the story an easy vibe. The art is nice as well, the cartoonish style fitting the tone of the story.
October 27, 2017
This was cute.
The characters were fun, the plot wasn't immediately predictable.
It was a fun, quick distraction from life - which sometimes is just what you need.
The characters were fun, the plot wasn't immediately predictable.
It was a fun, quick distraction from life - which sometimes is just what you need.
September 9, 2019
I've heard many good things about this series, but have avoided it under the (incorrect) assumption that this series would require college experience to enjoy. Knowing the three protagonists are college age women, and living in a college town, I've overheard enough "coffee-shop" talk to know I don't have much life experience overlap that would give me a basis to enjoy stories about sororities, term papers, or "freshmen fifteens" that I assumed this series would be about. However, after hearing this had won an Eisner, I decided to give it a try, and I am SO glad I did!
Far from being a series dependent on college dorm life cultural knowledge, these are light-hearted stories centered around three young women who happen to be in college. The three characters are unique, and immediately likable, with genuinely funny and quirky personalities. The book itself is laugh-out-loud funny without ever feeling forced, and my fiance finds it amusing to be nearby when I'm reading it, as I pretty much chuckle non-stop while reading it.
The art here is cartoonish, which is highly appropriate for the material. The first artist was my favorite and seemed to capture the tone and characters perfectly. The second artist is good as well, but has a slightly "slicker" art style, and I preferred the more sketchy and warmer style of the first artist. However, I'm not complaining as both artists capture the personality of the characters very well.
Don't sleep on this series, and don't wait to pick them up in hardcover. It's worth it to own these in the premium format. This is some of the best comics the medium can produce, and I would recommend them to anyone, but especially young women.
Far from being a series dependent on college dorm life cultural knowledge, these are light-hearted stories centered around three young women who happen to be in college. The three characters are unique, and immediately likable, with genuinely funny and quirky personalities. The book itself is laugh-out-loud funny without ever feeling forced, and my fiance finds it amusing to be nearby when I'm reading it, as I pretty much chuckle non-stop while reading it.
The art here is cartoonish, which is highly appropriate for the material. The first artist was my favorite and seemed to capture the tone and characters perfectly. The second artist is good as well, but has a slightly "slicker" art style, and I preferred the more sketchy and warmer style of the first artist. However, I'm not complaining as both artists capture the personality of the characters very well.
Don't sleep on this series, and don't wait to pick them up in hardcover. It's worth it to own these in the premium format. This is some of the best comics the medium can produce, and I would recommend them to anyone, but especially young women.
November 20, 2023
This is a graphic novel essential for any bookshelf: GIANT DAYS written by John Alison, with art by Lissa Treiman and Max Sarin, Colors by Whitney Cogar, and lettered by Jim Campbell.
I reread it lately because I needed something a little more light and fun to dive into with everything going on, and with my own writing being very intricate and serious in the last while.
Truth is, every time I revisit Susan, Esther and Daisy’s universe and their own unique personalities, I fall in love again. It is relatable, genuine, full of feels and easily one of the best slice-of-life stories I’ve read.
From the very beginning of their personal tribulations and struggles while making their way through university and slowly building a life for themselves, we get inexorably pulled into their world—which at times reminded me of my own—and the whole creative team does a flawless work of making us feel *everything* they experience.
The art envelops us in the appropriate atmosphere no matter the scene, and the coloring has a big part to play in that because the color palette is smartly adapted to each event/emotion to make the art and story shine even more.
At his core, GIANT DAYS is a tale about friendships, their challenges, and how they lift us up through life in the best ways to make us become the best versions of ourselves.
True friendship is priceless, hard to come across, and when you meet that kind of person you can count on through thick and thin, you know.
Note: There are multiple books in this series, and this review encompasses all of them. The series is finished, and it begs to be read in its entirety!
I reread it lately because I needed something a little more light and fun to dive into with everything going on, and with my own writing being very intricate and serious in the last while.
Truth is, every time I revisit Susan, Esther and Daisy’s universe and their own unique personalities, I fall in love again. It is relatable, genuine, full of feels and easily one of the best slice-of-life stories I’ve read.
From the very beginning of their personal tribulations and struggles while making their way through university and slowly building a life for themselves, we get inexorably pulled into their world—which at times reminded me of my own—and the whole creative team does a flawless work of making us feel *everything* they experience.
The art envelops us in the appropriate atmosphere no matter the scene, and the coloring has a big part to play in that because the color palette is smartly adapted to each event/emotion to make the art and story shine even more.
At his core, GIANT DAYS is a tale about friendships, their challenges, and how they lift us up through life in the best ways to make us become the best versions of ourselves.
True friendship is priceless, hard to come across, and when you meet that kind of person you can count on through thick and thin, you know.
Note: There are multiple books in this series, and this review encompasses all of them. The series is finished, and it begs to be read in its entirety!
June 24, 2018
For more reviews, check out my blog: Craft-Cycle
Great, just what I needed, a new graphic novel obsession.
This book is wonderful! I read a preview of the Giant Days series in one of the Lumberjanes books and was intrigued. I checked this book out from the library and now I'm already hunting Amazon for a copy.
The characters are so amazing! Of course you fall in love with Esther right away. She's that interesting cool person I wish I could be if I was just 1000% more confident in my own skin. And Daisy is just so adorable and innocent (with surprise yogic powers!). Even Susan grows on you. I wasn't a big fan of her at the start of the collection, but by the end, I was all in.
Sarcastic, hilarious, amazing book with interesting stories and fantastic artwork. Love, love, love!
The Not on the Test Edition includes eight chapters of humorous entertainment as well as Giant Days: Self-Published Part 1 (It is so crazy to see the early versions of the characters!), Boom! Box Mix Tape 2015 Short (hilarious!), a Cover Gallery, and a Sketch Gallery. This is a great collected edition for fans of Giant Days. And if you're not a fan of Giant Days (yet), you freakin' should be.
Awesome book. I love it. You should definitely check it out.
Great, just what I needed, a new graphic novel obsession.
This book is wonderful! I read a preview of the Giant Days series in one of the Lumberjanes books and was intrigued. I checked this book out from the library and now I'm already hunting Amazon for a copy.
The characters are so amazing! Of course you fall in love with Esther right away. She's that interesting cool person I wish I could be if I was just 1000% more confident in my own skin. And Daisy is just so adorable and innocent (with surprise yogic powers!). Even Susan grows on you. I wasn't a big fan of her at the start of the collection, but by the end, I was all in.
Sarcastic, hilarious, amazing book with interesting stories and fantastic artwork. Love, love, love!
The Not on the Test Edition includes eight chapters of humorous entertainment as well as Giant Days: Self-Published Part 1 (It is so crazy to see the early versions of the characters!), Boom! Box Mix Tape 2015 Short (hilarious!), a Cover Gallery, and a Sketch Gallery. This is a great collected edition for fans of Giant Days. And if you're not a fan of Giant Days (yet), you freakin' should be.
Awesome book. I love it. You should definitely check it out.
July 30, 2020
Reading 2020
Book(s) 107: The Dark Matter of Mona Starr by Laura Lee Gulledge AND Giant Days: Not on the Test Edition by John Allison
Reviewing a couple of graphic novels together here. Finishing the month of July reading my library holds as due dates approach and my library bin runneth over.
The Dark Matter of Mona Starr is an intense graphic "memoir" of sorts about how Mona battles her mental illness. From Amazon "Heartfelt, emotionally vulnerable, and visually stunning, The Dark Matter of Mona Starris a story about battling your inner doubts and fears—and finding your creative genius." The book is reviewed for ages 12 and older, and can be a book that shows kids it is okay to ask for help when you are struggling. The book really was beautifully drawn. My rating 4⭐️.
Giant Days is reviewed for 8th grade and higher, about a trio of girls navigating college. They become quick friends once they meet at the beginning of the semester. Think maybe this content should be for high school and older, since the characters are in college and navigate college age relationships and problems. I really enjoyed this graphic novel and will be navigating my way through the other editions, I think there 59 books. My rating 5⭐️.
Book(s) 107: The Dark Matter of Mona Starr by Laura Lee Gulledge AND Giant Days: Not on the Test Edition by John Allison
Reviewing a couple of graphic novels together here. Finishing the month of July reading my library holds as due dates approach and my library bin runneth over.
The Dark Matter of Mona Starr is an intense graphic "memoir" of sorts about how Mona battles her mental illness. From Amazon "Heartfelt, emotionally vulnerable, and visually stunning, The Dark Matter of Mona Starris a story about battling your inner doubts and fears—and finding your creative genius." The book is reviewed for ages 12 and older, and can be a book that shows kids it is okay to ask for help when you are struggling. The book really was beautifully drawn. My rating 4⭐️.
Giant Days is reviewed for 8th grade and higher, about a trio of girls navigating college. They become quick friends once they meet at the beginning of the semester. Think maybe this content should be for high school and older, since the characters are in college and navigate college age relationships and problems. I really enjoyed this graphic novel and will be navigating my way through the other editions, I think there 59 books. My rating 5⭐️.
March 10, 2019
I was lukewarm about this at first, but I enjoyed it more as it went on. I'd categorize it as slice of life, dealing with three friends as they work their way through their first year at a university, set in the UK. Each of the three friends has a distinct personality, but I think what prevented me from getting into at first was that there was no discernible overarching storyline, hence the "slice of life" designation. Yes, the characters do have backstories, and those do come into play, but this is mainly a comic about the day-to-day lives of these three characters, so if you're like me and not immediately taken with them, it can take some time to warm up to them. I am curious to see where this goes next, as well as whether the story will draw me in more, so I do plan on reading further issues. Still, as far as comics and graphics go for me, this one was genial and good, but it wasn't one that immediately grabbed me and pulled me into its world.
August 13, 2020
A lovely and light read that, while it does have real problems in it, it doesn't make you sad. And I can appreciate a comic without sadness (so far). Esther, Daisy and Susan all have their pretty clearly defined personalities (may sound bad, but it works), and their friendship is really nice to follow. They don't seem to have known one another for long but they are there for one another, and have a banter going that is pretty common among friends. Then you have poor Ed whom I think we all hope will find someone (perhaps Esther) to be with.
Also really enjoy that the comic has a university setting, and such a unique art style. The style of art furthers the banter that goes on and the casual feeling of the comic. In the comics I've read (especially YA) most take place at high-school, and it's interesting to read about a less explored setting (the mysteries of uni).
Would highly recommend.
Also really enjoy that the comic has a university setting, and such a unique art style. The style of art furthers the banter that goes on and the casual feeling of the comic. In the comics I've read (especially YA) most take place at high-school, and it's interesting to read about a less explored setting (the mysteries of uni).
Would highly recommend.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 2, 2025
I picked up the first two volumes of these at the library, having only seen the covers at the store and read the handwritten notes that were taped under the shelves. And it's cute and endearing!
It feels like a webcomic, the kind I used to read in the late 90s/early 2000s, at the dawn of the format, with a specific type of joke telling and plot progression. Nothing is explicitly unworldly, but occasionally imagery is used for comedic effect, and it does capture that feeling of being an adult but also a child.
This first volume was an enjoyable hour, I have the second one to read as well, and we'll see where we go from there.
It feels like a webcomic, the kind I used to read in the late 90s/early 2000s, at the dawn of the format, with a specific type of joke telling and plot progression. Nothing is explicitly unworldly, but occasionally imagery is used for comedic effect, and it does capture that feeling of being an adult but also a child.
This first volume was an enjoyable hour, I have the second one to read as well, and we'll see where we go from there.
July 3, 2022
J’ai bien aimé ce premier tome retraçant la vie de trois amies à la FAC.
Toutes les trois ont des personnalités et des centres d’intérêts complètement différents ce qui rend leur amitié encore plus belles et touchantes.
Beaucoup de sujets en rapport avec les études, les relations amoureuses, les questions de sexualité, les remises en questions par rapport à nos choix d’études sont mis en avant. Le sexisme est aussi abordé, tout ça d’une manière à dénoncer et à aider les lecteurs.
Je lirai la suite avec plaisir.
Toutes les trois ont des personnalités et des centres d’intérêts complètement différents ce qui rend leur amitié encore plus belles et touchantes.
Beaucoup de sujets en rapport avec les études, les relations amoureuses, les questions de sexualité, les remises en questions par rapport à nos choix d’études sont mis en avant. Le sexisme est aussi abordé, tout ça d’une manière à dénoncer et à aider les lecteurs.
Je lirai la suite avec plaisir.
March 31, 2019
4.5 stars! Loved the characters and stories/misadventures of three British girls discovering uni for the first time in London. Ester by far is my favorite, she is edgy, dramatic and a walking disaster. Susan is the reasonable one while Daisy is sheltered and naive. Honorable mention to nerdy Ed the girls gay best friend minus the gay part and plus the hopeless in love with Ester part. #FridayNightLightsBinge #HotTA #McGrawving
March 23, 2018
I wasn't 100% sold after the first comic book, but now I absolutely adore these. So fun, so silly, so nostalgic for freshman year at college. This is a collection of the first four books (I think), but I'm pretty sure there may be as many as 10 more comics out there for me to read. Hell, maybe they're still coming out on a regular basis. If so, good news for me.
November 29, 2020
Je ne regrette pas d'avoir investi dans cette très belle compilation ! Le ton est drôle, léger et pertinent sur de multiples sujets. La vibe feelgood nous permet de prendre le train en marche sans que cela pose de difficulté et les personnages sont très attachants et amusants. J'ai hâte de lire la suite de leurs tribulations !
October 19, 2021
Surprisingly entertaining for me. And even though I couldn't relate to the characters (I had a totally different college experience) their frustrations about their life scenarios was relatable. I knew nothing about the story, just picked it up from my library and loved reading it. I'm going back for more.
February 12, 2018
I'm pleasantly surprised by how much Giant Days grew on me, and when I saw this enormous collection and my comic store I had to pick it up immediately. The slice-of-life Adventures of Esther, Susan, and Daisy are always a delight to read.
October 5, 2021
Mostly a re-read. This was a re-print collection with some bits not in the graphic novels. None of the early self-published stuff was all that good. And where I liked the first artist better, it really wasn't enough to put up with the writing. Vapid. And not especially interesting.
March 23, 2022
The artists aren't the same, and the styles aren't at all consistent, but the story centers on a wonderful college friendship of three very different women, and tosses in some zany antics, romance, and school woes.
June 30, 2023
I'm literally in college and yet this comic makes me nostalgic for college. I want this experience. Also I loveeee the art style of the first few issues especially, but they're all nice, very stylized in a way that matches their personalities well.
August 2, 2024
This is fun. I wish I had more to say about it, but honestly, its just a really fun comic with good art and jokes. Its about British university students so you can read their dialogue with a British accent, which makes it even better.
August 21, 2017
Couldn't really get into it.
August 16, 2018
Incredibly fun and witty. Makes me seriously nostalgic for my freshman year of college! I adore the relationship between the three main characters. Great pacing and fun stories!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews