A review by readthesparrow
Let Me Out by Emmett Nahil, George Williams
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
REVIEW
Let Me Out is a beautifully illustrated graphic novel perfect for an angry queer autumn read despite a fractured, unfulfilling ending.
I adored the main cast. They fit together and play off one another well, and the way that they navigate an unwelcoming world together, from the small things (giving a ride to Terri, a guitarist, to her show and cheering her on) to the big things (covering for each other against parents and cops, providing first aid, and being ride or die ‘til the end) is so quintessentially queer that, despite the grim context, it warms my heart.
I’m also head over heels for Lucifer. Like, can we appreciate their design? Hello???????
The main issue I have with Let Me Out is the ending. While there were some really interesting moments during that final scene, such as Lucifer possession-jumping from person to person during the chase scene, the storytelling became extremely fragmented and I had difficulty following the action in those last 10 or so pages.
Related to the ending, the pacing of the last half felt strange, too–I’m not a graphic novel expert, so maybe this is just the way things are done, but it felt like the main action of the book post what’s summarized on the back happened way too late. The spark that lights the kindling, Lupe punching her manager, doesn’t happen until about 60% of the way through, and the deal with the devil doesn’t happen until about 80% in. The part that interests me most–the deal with the devil–is rushed through. If I'm promised a deal with a devil, I want that to be narratively front and center, and it's just not in Let Me Out.
By the final page, there are several plot threads left dangling. I won’t list them here in the interest of avoiding spoilers, but there are several left unanswered, both ones introduced in the first ten pages and threads opened in that final 20%.
It is likely that cuts had to be made to meet page count, which is unfortunate. The ending’s potential fell flat.
I think the page count is why I am often left wanting more from graphic novels–the stories are often hampered by heavily restricted available space, requiring heavy story cuts be made, which negatively impact the story’s structure and pacing.
I think the page count is why I am often left wanting more from graphic novels–the stories are often hampered by heavily restricted available space, requiring heavy story cuts be made, which negatively impact the story’s structure and pacing.
FINAL THOUGHTS
While I enjoyed this graphic novel and loved the characters, I’m left wanting more from a fractured ending. I hope there’s a follow-up that picks up some of those dangling plot threads and features more Lucifer (my love).
If you’re looking for a spooky, tense autumn read that centers queer experiences and can be finished in an afternoon, then I definitely suggest picking up Let Me Out.
Thank you to Oni Press for providing a digital ARC via Netgalley. If you are interested in Let Me Out, it releases 3 October 2023. You can find more information from the publishers. If possible, support indie bookshops by purchasing the novel from your local brick and mortar or from Bookshop.org!