This book the second book in Jeff Lemire’s Essex County trilogy of graphic novels which, is a fictionalized book of Jeff Lemire’s hometown of Essex County, Ontario. I reviewed the first one, ‘Tales From the Farm’, here.
This book has a very loose connection to the first book, as it had two characters that were in the first. One of the characters, the main character from the first book, Lester, appeared so briefly that it was like a cameo apperance. The second character was Jimmy.
In this second book Jimmy and his eldest brother, Lou played professional hockey together. The book goes back and forth from present day with Lou as an old man with regrets, looking back to the days that him and Jimmy were close.
Jeff Lemire captures the feelings of lonliness, desolation, and regret incredibly well. I didn’t think it was possible to get compleatly lost in a graphic novel like you can with a regular novel. This book proved me wrong.
I recommended ‘Tales From the Farm’ for both young adults and adults. I feel this book is gear more toward adults. Not that there is anything in it the teens shouldn’t read, it just deals with a subject that I don’t think would interest them as much.
I LOVED this graphic novel. Don’t miss out on this winning goal of a book!
5+/5
Also reviewed by:
A Season to Read
The Book Mine Set
If you have reviewed this book, please leave the link in the comments and I will post it here.
Here’s my link. We have similar takes on it.
I know the connection is loose to the first book, but the 3rd ties it together more. It’s why I nominated the series as a novel to Canada Reads. While each can be read separately, it functions wonderfully as a single novel as well.
Thanks for the link John. I knew you had reviewed it but couldn’t find the link myself.
We do have very similar takes on it. I just adored it. Who new I could love a graphic novel so much?
I must read the first one before Canada Reads starts.
Isn’t it neat to be so pleasently surprised by how much you like these graphic novels!?
Chris, you can read in on short sitting.
Wanda, it sure is. I avoided them until you and John started giving them such great reviews.