Sophie Burrows
January 11, 2022
Algonquin Young Readers
Blurb:
She’s lonely and searching for connection. He’s lonely and afraid to reach out.
Life in the big city means being surrounded by connections—making them, missing them, and longing for them. But is finding someone else really the answer to their problems?
Crushing,the stunning debut graphic novel from Sophie Burrows, is a story told in silence; a story without words but bursting with meaning; a story about loneliness and love.
Achingly beautiful, quietly defiant, and full of subtle wit and wisdom, Crushing is a unique meditation on the human condition in the twenty-first century, and a timely examination of young adult life in an age of isolation.
Purchase Links:
Amazon | Shop your local indie bookstore
A picture’s worth a thousand words–the phrase could find no finer example than Sophie Burrows’ graphic novel, Crushing, which is heart-wrenching and -breaking before becoming hope-filled. Even the title lends itself to both feelings.
While there are few words in Crushing, the reader can have no doubt what is occurring as the main characters are shown lonely, sometimes seeking, sometimes being ostracized, sometimes fleeing. The minimal use of color works to enhance the feeling of isolation and loneliness. Alas, in case you might feel put off by the concept of loneliness, there are some good laughs, sweet smiles, and a hopeful ending.
All of the graphic novels I’ve read up to this point rely on both words and pictures to get their story across, Crushing relies mostly on the latter, and it’s a stunning journey. I will tell you that I really felt the message of this book in my heart. Perhaps it’s because most of us have experienced isolation to some degree in the past two years, but Crushing really hits home, even without words. An outstanding work.
I received a copy from Algonquin Young Readers in exchange for an honest review.
rating:
5 out of 5 butterflies