A review by myprettypages
Parallel by Matthias Lehmann

emotional hopeful reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character

5.0

“I felt a longing for something that I couldn’t grasp. I had a family, but all I wanted was to get out of the cage.” 
 
This is an emotive story portrayed beautifully through the art, flashbacks and the honesty of a fathers letter to his estranged daughter. A story about sexuality, family, love and the fear with being true to one’s self as well as the pressures of a society that doesn’t accept you. 
 
Shifting between the present and past, Karl in his retirement was able to reflect on his past through his letter to his daughter. I found it really interesting how this delved into Karl’s outlook on his sexuality, his shame and desire. The story starts from the moment where he starts to question himself as we witness how his first marriage fell through and the tension that arises and forced to restarts his life. 
 
I really liked the artwork and how the layered ink drawing often leading into the darkness, the scenery and emptiness in those panel’s reflected the mood. Switching between detailed facial expressions when it’s close up showing characters deep in thought and from afar with little detail, the expression and emotions were portrayed really well. 
 
I enjoyed this graphic novel and how it demonstrates and portrays homophobia really well and the brutality of it, the fear victims have and how accusations and rumours spiral but among this, the hope of a new and accepting generation and a promise of rebuilding broken relationships- a stark contrast to the high stress and tension in the flashbacks. 
 
Many thanks to Netgalley and Oni Press for sending me this ARC in exchange for a review.
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