Emilia McKenzie's "But You Have Friends"
A book review by Dennis D. McDonald.
How do you remember a friend of 20 years who dies by suicide? Comic artist Emilia McKenzie's solution, in her graphic memoir titled "But You Have Friends," published in 2023, is to remember and illustrate her feelings about her friend Charlotte, from the time they met at school to her adjustment following Charlotte's death by suicide.
I found the book to be profoundly affecting. Its line drawings are spare but demonstrate much thought and wisdom in illustrating feelings and thoughts, all while maintaining a close focus on Charlotte, the author herself, and their small circle of friends and family.
Even if you have not yet lost someone close to you, you may well be touched by the story that unfolds as Emilia and Charlotte's friendship evolves over time and as Charlotte slips more and more into depression. Emily honestly illustrates her feelings of guilt as, over time, she realizes that time and distance have changed their relationship. Yet, she still experiences frustration and guilt at her powerlessness in the face of Charlotte's troubles.
The story may seem far away from those whose lives and lifestyles differ from what the author illustrates, but the direct and clear nature of the author's line drawings and her selection of details to illustrate helps promote universality. It's a touching and thoughtful book, and I highly recommend it.
Review text copyright 2024 by Dennis D. McDonald.
Note about the writing and editing of the above book review
I hand-wrote the above review (I’m a practitioner of cursive handwriting) and then dictated it into my iPhone as a Word document. This created a text file. I then asked ChatGPT to edit the text. The following is what I put into ChatGPT, with the only changes being needed the correct spelling of the author’s first name:
Please edit the following paragraphs for correct punctuation and grammar: Amelia mckenzies Amelia mckenzies quote but you have friends”new paragraph A book review by Dennis D mcdonald new paragraph How do you remember a friend of 20 years who dies by suicide? Comic artist mackenzies solution in her Comic artist mackenzies solution in her quote graphic memoir” titled quote but you have friends,” published in 2023, is to remember and illustrate her feelings about her friend Charlotte from the time they met at school to her adjustment following Charlotte's death by suicide.new paragraph I found the book to be profoundly affecting. Its line drawings are spare but demonstrate much thought and wisdom in illustrating feelings and thoughts, all the time maintaining close focus on Charlotte, the author herself, and their small circle of friends and family. Even if you have not yet lost someone close to you, you may well be touched by the story that unfolds as Emily and Charlotte's friendship evolves over time and as Charlotte slips more and more into depression. Emily honestly illustrates her feelings of guilt as, overtime, she realizes that time and distance have changed their relationship yet she still experiences frustration and guilt at her powerlessness in the face of Charlotte's troubles.new paragraph The story may seem far away from those whose lives and lifestyles differ from what the author illustrates, but the direct and clear nature of the authors line drawings and her selection of details to illustrate helps promote universality. It's a touching and thoughtful book, and I highly recommend it.new paragraph Review text copyright 2024 by Dennis D McDonald
