As part of a  book challenge and my quest to read the 100 Novels that Make You Proud to be Canadian, I have been required to read a graphic novel.  This is a first for me and I have to admit to a little bit of procrastination.  Essex County, written and illustrated by Canadian author Jeff Lemire was suggested and is a trilogy of short stories which are linked.  The setting of Essex County is geographically a couple of hours away.

Although it was a thick book, with many sections, it was a quick read as the detailed graphics take up so much of each page.  It told the story of a family separated by regret, death and anger as a young boy learns more about his family tree.  Being in Essex County, it is set in farmland and being Canadian, there is also a hockey perspective.

It was interesting to read something that I would not normally pick up yet the story line kept me reading this in one sitting.  I will have to admit that I am not a fan of this genre of writing and will not purposely pick up another graphic novel.