Eroyn Franklin

Hauntingly beautiful, this is the death of a relationship within a graphic memoir. The two-page spreads rise from the fixations of personal depression to capture universal emotional complexities: coping with having ignored suspicions the relationship would not last, knowing your behavior has been unconscionable, constantly sharing mental space with idealized past lovers, and still loving your spouse as you part. Although this source material is both heavy and common, its treatment here is poetic, striking, and far from trite.

The book uses detailed hand-cut paper silhouettes in black and white. It's beautifully bound in a dust jacket of plain brown paper, with the cover die-cut in the style of the book. The first and last pages show a traditional Victorian portrait in black on white; the rest of the book charts the journey in white on black. The visual presentation complements the work perfectly -- stark contrasts, immense attention required to have an effect that looks simple at first glance, dull brown paper turned into art.

I just can't get over how absolutely gorgeous this book is. I'll reserve half a star for occasionally indulging the somewhat-clever preoccupations of depression, but really, gosh, I don't think I've seen better artistry on grief in my life. Highly, highly recommended.

A taste of the book in three spreads (links directly to composite image).… (plus d'informations)