Tsunami
A high school boy seeks his place in the world in Ned Wenlock’s absorbing graphic novel Tsunami.
Peter doesn’t fit in with his peers. A drawing assignment makes this clear: Gus, Peter’s neighbor, draws a wolf attacking sheep, while Peter draws a sheep surrounded by wolves and compares the predators to his classmates. Peter’s pain is relieved by his friendship with Charlotte, the new transfer student. Still, amid his parents’ marital stresses and a misunderstanding about money, Peter’s situation worsens and tensions escalate, leading to a shocking tragedy.
The book’s art is simple at first glance but proves charming and effective, conveying deep truths about the characters through their subtle and overt actions and expressions. It captures the sharp emotional swings of adolescence, as when Peter and Charlotte watch a man get tangled in his dog’s leash and fall; they both laugh, but within moments, they are overcome with sadness. Peter also grapples with the confusing complexity of mixed messages from his parents and classmates.
Pacing and foreshadowing prove key: One small event heralds others and leads to the next, resulting in momentum and a sense of a looming disaster. Throughout the book, glimpses of hope battle with foreboding, forming a compelling mystery as to how it all will end.
Tsunami is a thoughtful, affecting graphic novel about a teenager in crisis.
Reviewed by
Peter Dabbene
Disclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. The publisher of this book provided free copies of the book to have their book reviewed by a professional reviewer. No fee was paid by the publisher for this review. Foreword Reviews only recommends books that we love. Foreword Magazine, Inc. is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
