A review by se_wigget
Save It for Later: Promises, Parenthood, and the Urgency of Protest by Nate Powell

5.0

 

I thank Abrams Books for sending me this free ARC. 

 

TW: fascists; Nazi, fascist, and Confederate symbols and people; depression, anxiety, panic attacks 

 

This graphic novel choked me up. At John Lewis's death, I was fully weeping. 

 

The writer and artist are both Nate Powell, who illustrated The March trilogy, which I read last year (probably why I added this book to my "want to read" list). The art is beautifully detailed and evocative. The back cover states "Finished book will be in full color"-- the ARC is in black and white... but the finished book would still be impressive even if it were in black and white. Not all graphic novels can pull that off, but I'm sure many published in b&w had economic constraints. 

(Also... I like how he drew Steve Bannon to look demonic.) 

 

One of my first thoughts was: Save what for later? I guessed the answer is this planet. After I started reading, I conjectured that it's about saving democracy... sanity... justice... compassion... wisdom... etc. for their kids. After a while, I saved and reused some protest signs (I participated in weekly anti-Dump rallies until my knees became too genetically disabled to stand for long--but fortunately I take advantage of acupuncture). Maybe it means save this graphic novel for after we defeat fascism or save this information for later. 

 

When I noticed "Parenting" in the subtitle I briefly worried I'd bought a parenting book--I'm not a parent and never felt like becoming one. But no, while the author is a parent and his kids are in the book (or unicorn versions of them), it's really an autobiographical collection of seven graphic essays about his experience during the rise of fascism in this country. It resonates and brings up memories and reflection whether or not you have kids. 

 

The author is a white male--and I'd like to see something like this by authors of color--but wow, he and his partner are great parents. More parents should be like them. 

 

The author--at least during the events of this book, 2015 to 2020--didn't have the privilege of living in a "blue" state. Indiana was nightmarish enough growing up there in the 1970s and 80s--imagine dwelling in such a state while the toilet demon squatted in the White House and fascists came out of the closet by the millions. Imagine still being there--because fascists are still out of the closet. 

 

Okay... if neo-Nazis attend cons dressed like Nazis, I'm glad I no longer attend cons on a regular basis. (Of course, if I did, I'd still wear Doctor Who costumes and Victorian costumes... and I'd probably show up dressed as a suffragist.) 

 

This has good analysis of white supremacy and the U. S. in recent years. 

 

"For racist white Americans still in the living memory of World War II, simply having an enemy was of utmost importance--even when they agree with that enemy's position. Nationalist belief is the core of that belief system." 

This is insightful. I'm part Jewish and it's hard to wrap my head around how the U. S. used to be an Ally that fought against Nazism... and now neo-Nazis/white supremacists/white nationalists are mainstream in this backasswards country.