Lemire, J. (2009). Essex county. Marietta, Georga, USA: Top Shelf Productions.
Summary
Essex County uses interconnects the lives of the LeBeuf family and Anne Byrne. Told in splices, the reader is able to make assumptions about the family through second great-grandson, Lester Papineau’s story, sons Lou and Vince LeBeuf stories, and finally through Anne Byrne’s eyes who is a nurse. Told in graphic novel format, Essex County allows the reader to see how human behavior can affect generations.
Advisory Information
-Themes
a.Family Relationships: Essex County focuses on the relationships between family members and family generations. This is especially evident between Lester and his Uncle Ken, Lester and his father, Jimmy, brothers Lou and Vince LeBeuf, and even Anne Byrne and her son Jason.
b.Loneliness: Loneliness is an important part of Lou LeBeuf’s story. He is unsure about his place in the world especially after Vince marries Beth.
c.Hockey: Hockey seems to be the redeeming activity between all generations. Lou and Vince play, Jimmy plays, and occasionally Lester plays. It is not only considered a Canadian pastime, but it also serves as a way for the generations to connect.
d.Aging: Growing old becomes a focal point for all characters. Since the book chronicles the lives of many of the characters, aging is a key part of the story. For characters like Anne and Lou, aging equates to death. For Lester, aging is about his role in the world.
e.Love: Interestingly, it is the absence of love that dominates these stories. While Vince and Beth do get married, and while Jimmy and Clare do have a kid, there are little instances of love in the story.
-Age Recommendation
While this graphic novel reads like a genealogy, the language of this book is more suitable for readers who are at least in 8th grade or 14 years old.
-Other Information
Essex County is an award-winning graphic novel, being recognized as the best in Canadian cartooning in 2008.
Reaction
I thought that this graphic novel did an excellent job weaving the ordinary stories of a family history. I do not feel that this book is essentially a “feel good” novel; however, its characterization becomes crucial in understanding how these insignificant lives have affected future generations. Through these character studies, the reader is able to understand the different layers of humanity.
Summary
Essex County uses interconnects the lives of the LeBeuf family and Anne Byrne. Told in splices, the reader is able to make assumptions about the family through second great-grandson, Lester Papineau’s story, sons Lou and Vince LeBeuf stories, and finally through Anne Byrne’s eyes who is a nurse. Told in graphic novel format, Essex County allows the reader to see how human behavior can affect generations.
Advisory Information
-Themes
a.Family Relationships: Essex County focuses on the relationships between family members and family generations. This is especially evident between Lester and his Uncle Ken, Lester and his father, Jimmy, brothers Lou and Vince LeBeuf, and even Anne Byrne and her son Jason.
b.Loneliness: Loneliness is an important part of Lou LeBeuf’s story. He is unsure about his place in the world especially after Vince marries Beth.
c.Hockey: Hockey seems to be the redeeming activity between all generations. Lou and Vince play, Jimmy plays, and occasionally Lester plays. It is not only considered a Canadian pastime, but it also serves as a way for the generations to connect.
d.Aging: Growing old becomes a focal point for all characters. Since the book chronicles the lives of many of the characters, aging is a key part of the story. For characters like Anne and Lou, aging equates to death. For Lester, aging is about his role in the world.
e.Love: Interestingly, it is the absence of love that dominates these stories. While Vince and Beth do get married, and while Jimmy and Clare do have a kid, there are little instances of love in the story.
-Age Recommendation
While this graphic novel reads like a genealogy, the language of this book is more suitable for readers who are at least in 8th grade or 14 years old.
-Other Information
Essex County is an award-winning graphic novel, being recognized as the best in Canadian cartooning in 2008.
Reaction
I thought that this graphic novel did an excellent job weaving the ordinary stories of a family history. I do not feel that this book is essentially a “feel good” novel; however, its characterization becomes crucial in understanding how these insignificant lives have affected future generations. Through these character studies, the reader is able to understand the different layers of humanity.
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