A review by roctothorpe
Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands by Kate Beaton

challenging dark emotional slow-paced

3.5

Kate Beaton's graphic memoir details the harassment, dangerous working conditions, and trauma she faced working in Canada's oil sands. It offers a glimpse into a world where the workers are just as exploited as the land. This book is very bleak, and understandably so because of the heavy subject matter, but it was quite draining to read. Given its length, I wished Beaton had spoken more on the environmental impacts or the occupation of stolen Indigenous land, both of which are mentioned only in passing. The narration also felt quite passive and disassociated to me and I think would have had a stronger impact on me if it more forcefully condemned the companies and individuals that perpetuate this behavior and destruction. It's very much a worthwhile read and I'm grateful for the experience of this emotionally devastating work.
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