Uff da, indeed. I received this book via Goodreads Giveaways - sent from the publisher (St. Martin's Press). Let me first make it clear that I do not have children. I put my name in for this as someone working in the mental health field who felt like it would give me some insight, clarity and understanding of the depths. I hoped it would help my empathy. Also, I could think of someone who I might send it to afterwards.
As a person who enjoys graphic novels this was profoundly different and the same. The ability to tell a story in some boxes and black and grey and white spaces is amazing. This does not disappoint at all. In places where I found myself confused by chronology or where it was going -- had to remind myself that it didn't matter. This is Tom and Leela's story. It's their experience and grief through a sudden loss of a child has NO rhyme or reason. I was along for the ride and that was perfectly okay.
Grief is not linear or sensical; just as death of a child is not. My heart ached and pounded for this family and, in the end, I was utterly grateful for their sharing of this experience with the rest of us mere mortals.
As a person who enjoys graphic novels this was profoundly different and the same. The ability to tell a story in some boxes and black and grey and white spaces is amazing. This does not disappoint at all. In places where I found myself confused by chronology or where it was going -- had to remind myself that it didn't matter. This is Tom and Leela's story. It's their experience and grief through a sudden loss of a child has NO rhyme or reason. I was along for the ride and that was perfectly okay.
Grief is not linear or sensical; just as death of a child is not. My heart ached and pounded for this family and, in the end, I was utterly grateful for their sharing of this experience with the rest of us mere mortals.
