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A review by thewordsdevourer
Drawing on the Edge by Ersin Karabulut
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
*Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC
Drawing on the Edge is an absorbing memoir, retelling the author's childhood and early years as a cartoonist. What I really like about comics and graphic novels is the fact that they are an excellent way for readers to learn about topics they might otherwise not go for, the visual form fortunately making unfamiliar subjects and/or difficult matters a lot more accessible. Such is definitely the case here with Karabulut's book, delving into the author's early life while also shedding light on the larger political and social context of the Turkish backdrop, the personal and political inexplicably intertwined, impossible to exist without affecting the other.
I like that the book manages to retain its humorous voice despite the heavy, high-stakes atmosphere of its setting, one with intimidation, censorship, religious zealotry, and historical unbridled violence. Karabulut's dreams and everyday life can be a respite from the political backdrop of Turkey, despite also being inevitably impacted by it in turn. The joy from being completely absorbed in a personal passion like art, excitement over the most meager interactions with his cartoonist idols, spontaneity of school shenanigans that are depiected are relatable and oft humorous.
Aside from being able to talk about Turkish political and social happenings in a flowing and easily comprehensible way without info-dumping, what I most like about the book is its emotional core, especially scenes with the author and his comics characters, deeply touching in its illustration of dreams let go and achieved, the power of the latter in not only inspiring Karabulut but also allowing him to inspire others, which the last chapter superbly demonstrates.
The art is great, with the author slightly modifying the style to best fit each scene. Scenic illustrations can be stunning, especially those of Beyoglu, and characters move seamlessly. I have nothing much to say because the art works really well with the story without ever being a distraction. All in all, this is a great, informational and even touching autobiographical book, and I will definitely be keeping an eye out for the next volume.
Drawing on the Edge is an absorbing memoir, retelling the author's childhood and early years as a cartoonist. What I really like about comics and graphic novels is the fact that they are an excellent way for readers to learn about topics they might otherwise not go for, the visual form fortunately making unfamiliar subjects and/or difficult matters a lot more accessible. Such is definitely the case here with Karabulut's book, delving into the author's early life while also shedding light on the larger political and social context of the Turkish backdrop, the personal and political inexplicably intertwined, impossible to exist without affecting the other.
I like that the book manages to retain its humorous voice despite the heavy, high-stakes atmosphere of its setting, one with intimidation, censorship, religious zealotry, and historical unbridled violence. Karabulut's dreams and everyday life can be a respite from the political backdrop of Turkey, despite also being inevitably impacted by it in turn. The joy from being completely absorbed in a personal passion like art, excitement over the most meager interactions with his cartoonist idols, spontaneity of school shenanigans that are depiected are relatable and oft humorous.
Aside from being able to talk about Turkish political and social happenings in a flowing and easily comprehensible way without info-dumping, what I most like about the book is its emotional core, especially scenes with the author and his comics characters, deeply touching in its illustration of dreams let go and achieved, the power of the latter in not only inspiring Karabulut but also allowing him to inspire others, which the last chapter superbly demonstrates.
The art is great, with the author slightly modifying the style to best fit each scene. Scenic illustrations can be stunning, especially those of Beyoglu, and characters move seamlessly. I have nothing much to say because the art works really well with the story without ever being a distraction. All in all, this is a great, informational and even touching autobiographical book, and I will definitely be keeping an eye out for the next volume.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Violence, Stalking, Murder, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Death and Infidelity