Sally Brown—school phobia, malapropisms, unrequited love for Linus and all—elbows her way to center stage, at least among the humans, and is thus the logical choice for cover girl... and in her honor, the introduction is provided by none other than Broadway, television and film star Kristin Chenoweth (Wicked, Pushing Daisies), who first rose to Tony-winning fame with her scene-stealing performance as Sally inYou’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.
Two long Summer-camp sequences involve Charlie Brown and Peppermint Patty, who has decided that Charlie Brown is madly in love with her, much to his clueless confusion. Snoopy shows up at camp as well, as does Peppermint Patty’s new permanent sidekick, the one and only Marcie.
The eternally mutable Snoopy mostly shakes off his World War I Flying Ace identity and turns into Joe Cool, college hipster extraordinaire. And in three long sequences he writes a fan letter to his favorite author, Miss Helen Sweetstory, then goes on a journey to meet her, and finally enlists Charlie Brown’s help when her latest opus, The Six Bunny-Wunnies Freak Out, falls afoul of censors.
Also, Woodstock attends worm school, falls in love with a worm (perhaps the most doomed unrequited Peanuts love story ever!), and is nearly eaten by the neighbors’ cat... Peppermint Patty is put on trial for another dress code violation and makes a very ill-advised choice in terms of lawyers... Snoopy turns Linus’s blanket into not one but two sportcoats... Lucy hits a home run...and the birth of one Rerun Van Pelt!
Thoughts: During reading slumps it's good to turn to something warm and comfortable - like Peanuts. I've been struggling to find anything that's truly engaging me recently. Peanuts is my safety blanket. A reminder to keep going even when the chips are down. Friends turn up in unexpected places and just occasionally you get a win.
The Complete Peanuts 1971-1972 gets 3 stars
* Did not like it** It was OK*** Liked it**** Really liked it***** It was amazing
