A review by hickorynut
Shadow Life by Hiromi Goto

emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

A stunning ghibli-esque graphic novel featuring Kumiko, an elderly woman who is determined to fend off death as long as she can. She leaves the care home her daughters put her in, finding her own apartment and making her own life separate from them. She begins to deteriorate in small ways, and the shadow of death begins following her around. Determined to push it off, she vacuums the shadow up along with salt to keep in enclosed within the machine. But death continues to follow her as she is injured, reconnects with a long lost love, attempts to go home and care for herself, and ultimately ends up hospitalized. Her journey within her own mind while unconscious was beautifully crafted and haunting. Overall an incredible story with a main character like none other I've had the pleasure of knowing.