I enjoyed this graphic novel, particularly for the sort of awkward teenage Diana. However, I found the story a bit difficult to follow. It felt like too many important details were cut to make it fit into the graphic novel format. I might try reading the full novel.

Although I enjoyed the characters and style of this novel, the plot was lacking in my opinion. Like other Tartt novels, it takes a long time to reach the climax, but the ending of The Little Friend is incredibly unsatisfactory. Maybe that was the point. I could easily picture sleep Mississippi summer, having lived through several myself.

I think this book suffered from too many elements. What could have been a fun, insightful HF became a jumble of story threads. You can almost see the different directions Lee could have taken the story in. Is this supposed to be a love story? A suffragette book? Culture clash novel? A book to inspire young writers? Is Jo a writer or a milliner or a jockey or a long lost daughter? None of these options were explored thoroughly, so it felt like she was trying on different identities for size.

I liked Jo, but felt like she was unrealistic and a bit precocious.