"In: A Graphic Novel" by Will McPhail - Paul's REVIEW

*I received this book as an eARC from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt via NetGalley. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

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Title: In: A Graphic Novel
Author: Will McPhail
Upcoming Release Date: May 4, 2021


Synopsis: A poignant and witty graphic novel by a leading New Yorker cartoonist, following a millennial's journey from performing his life to truly connecting with people

Nick, a young illustrator, can’t shake the feeling that there is some hidden realm of human interaction beyond his reach. He haunts lookalike fussy, silly, coffee shops, listens to old Joni Mitchell albums too loudly, and stares at his navel in the hope that he will find it in there. But it isn’t until he learns to speak from the heart that he begins to find authentic human connections and is let in—to the worlds of the people he meets. Nick’s journey occurs alongside the beginnings of a relationship with Wren, a wry, spirited oncologist at a nearby hospital, whose work and life becomes painfully tangled with Nick’s.

Illustrated in both color and black-and-white in McPhail’s instantly recognizable style, In elevates the graphic novel genre; it captures his trademark humor and compassion with a semi-autobiographical tale that is equal parts hilarious and heart-wrenching—uncannily appropriate for our isolated times.

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Review: I have really been vibing with graphic novel memoirs lately. It's such a great medium for telling an individual's experience. Mostly these are semi-autobiographical and the little details that you just know have to be true really make the stories feel so real.

I really like Will McPhail's art style. He uses it so well to add color in only select areas. The storytelling in this book is done so well. The internal dialogue compared to what the protagonist actually says gave me many chuckles. The way he depicts conversations is excellent.

Nick is a Millennial going through the motions. This is a story about wanting to connect to others and figuring out how to do that. I think it's super relatable.

I give this book a 5/5. Wonderful storytelling. The methods used are simple, but so effective. I will be recommending this book to fellow Millennials. Empathy and vulnerability is at the heart of this book.


--PAUL