This Is How I Disappear - bookrastinating.com

Graphic novel, 208 pages

English language

Published Oct. 5, 2021 by Drawn & Quarterly Publications.

ISBN:: 978-1-77046-461-2

(1 review)

Clara's at a break point. She's got writer's block , her friends ask for a lot without giving much, and her demanding publishing job leaves little time for self-care. She seeks solace in the community around her, yet she is often left feeling empty, unable to express an underlying depression that leaves her immobilized. Skillfully translated by Aleshia Jensen and Bronwyn Haslam, This is How I Disappear is an empathetic portrait of a young woman wrestling with life in the twenty-first century.

Originally published by la ville brûle in French, titled C'est comme ça que je disparais.

1 edition

isa reviewed This Is How I Disappear by Mirion Malle

Genuine and relatable

4 stars

Content warning CW: Depression, spoilers

Is there anything more millennial than reading a graphic novel about depression named after a My Chemical Romance song (one of my favourite My Chemcial Romance songs at that)?

Jokes aside.

This was an easy (easy as in easy to finish but not easy as in easy for the heart) read: a relatable topic (I wish it weren't) combined with Malle's aesthetically pleasing art style. Her drawing style is crisp and her characters are sleek, fashionable, distinguishable and oh so very expressive. Her art works great with the bold black and white colour scheme.

As for the content, Malle seems to capture the spiral of depression of the unnamed protagonist quite clearly. It can feel at times like, "Why doesn't the protagonist just do something? Anything?" But that's just it. Depression suck the life out of you and it makes it hard to do anything at all. When trauma is involved, like in the protagonist's case, it can be even harder.

The book is not all bleak though. It really highlights the importance of having a good support network of people who understand you, care for you, and are willing to go the ends of the earth for you.

Overall, this was a good read. It is not one that I think I would read again but I do recommend it to people who like books (especially graphic novels) that touch on mental health. It can get a little much so I wouldn't recommend it to those who may have trouble with the subject.