A review by twiinklex
Quarantine Comix by Rachael Smith
3.0
This is a heartfelt graphic memoir and comics collection about life in lockdown, from the little joys to the bleaker side of things. It's bittersweet, poignant, funny, uplifting and honest all at once.
I really appreciate the author opening up about her mental health struggles (especially how the positive and negative voices in her head are characterised and named here). The anxiety, isolation and loneliness that she experienced are all too familiar and relatable.
It's hard to give this book a fair rating because on one hand, I really enjoyed it and loved getting to know all the characters. Rachael's relationship with Rob is such a sweet and enviable one! The author also had a wonderful support system in spite of the pandemic. Rufus the cat is my favourite, of course.
On the other hand, the book feels like it was written from a place of privilege even though it's essentially a memoir that the author worked on and put together as a coping mechanism during a difficult time.
The author is a freelance creative who's able to work at home, has a housemate that she clicks with, lives in a seemingly spacious home (based on her own illustrations), and has a large backyard garden that allows her to invite friends over to mingle with. Which is far better than what a lot of people have...
I suppose everyone's experiences with the pandemic and lockdown life differs individually, as would their connection with this book. Personally, I'm in the middle — it's a good read, but not something I'm fully on board with.
I really appreciate the author opening up about her mental health struggles (especially how the positive and negative voices in her head are characterised and named here). The anxiety, isolation and loneliness that she experienced are all too familiar and relatable.
It's hard to give this book a fair rating because on one hand, I really enjoyed it and loved getting to know all the characters. Rachael's relationship with Rob is such a sweet and enviable one! The author also had a wonderful support system in spite of the pandemic. Rufus the cat is my favourite, of course.
On the other hand, the book feels like it was written from a place of privilege even though it's essentially a memoir that the author worked on and put together as a coping mechanism during a difficult time.
The author is a freelance creative who's able to work at home, has a housemate that she clicks with, lives in a seemingly spacious home (based on her own illustrations), and has a large backyard garden that allows her to invite friends over to mingle with. Which is far better than what a lot of people have...
I suppose everyone's experiences with the pandemic and lockdown life differs individually, as would their connection with this book. Personally, I'm in the middle — it's a good read, but not something I'm fully on board with.