This graphic novel is like an ode to those everlong summers of the past, where the holidays seemed to stretch on forever and the possibilities and promises of the future seemed endless. The power of nostalgia is strong in this comic as writing and art team Jillian and Mariko Tamaki create a believable scenario where
Rose and her family head to the beach for the summer, as they always do, but things are tense in the family as Rose's mum is suffering from deep depression whilst her father is feeling the strain of keeping the household positive. Meanwhile, Rose and her regular holiday friend Windy, get involved with a teen pregnancy drama whilst watching horror films.
It is poignant and wistful, carrying the memories of summer beach holidays when everything was possible, nothing much actually happened and time seemed to stand still. The artwork is incredible- beautiful blue washes and an amazing mix of the detailed and the impressionistic- and the story is sad and realistic. The story and the art go together perfectly.
The demographic for the book is hard to pinpoint as it uses words like slut, rape, abortion, blow job, porn, boobs etc so it's quite fruity with its language but I know, from working at a couple of youth centre for over 10 years, that actually many tweens do talk like this so it is lifelike.
Overall, I'd recommend the book as it captures the fleeting moment we have all had our lives so well. Additionally, the gorgeous blue brushlike art flows, stunningly capturing the spirit of the summer; it make you *feel* the place you've never been to. The Germans calls this fernweh which means farsickness and it’s the concept of feeling homesick for a place you’ve never been or could never go. This book made me feel that and it captures the mood so well.
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