Essex County has been on my radar since it was one of the Canada Reads selections in 2011. I picked it up a few times, but was put off by the artwork. I'm glad I finally picked it up now! The artwork grew on me; it's amazing the kinds of emotions and stories someone can tell with only the barest strokes. And the story itself was heartbreaking and beautiful. In what I've heard of Essex County, I don't remember anyone mentioning how sad it is. Ultimately, it's a story about death, and so it's also a story about life -- and hockey and comic books and parenthood and love and betrayal and so much more. It's a perfect example of how being specific is the key to unlocking the universal. Essex County is definitely worth a read, even if you don't usually read comic books. This is one of those beautifully heartbreaking books that makes you forget you're reading and just keep turning pages until you get to the end. Lemire has crafted a town populated by real people with real lives, and you get to see how their lives are connected as you read. Each connection feels like a reward, a gift. Even though this story isn't fantasy, Lemire uses elements of the fantastical when addressing themes of memory and ghosts (and other things, but I don't want to spoil the plot).
Do You like book Opowieści Z Hrabstwa Essex (2009)?
Read in one sitting. Gorgeous artwork and beautiful writing -one of my favorites this year.
—sachin
So much conveyed with just a simple frame of artwork and a few words.
—Krilley
So good. So Canadian. Remarkably emotive art.
—alish
