Home after Dark

Home after Dark
David Small
Norton, September, 2018 396 pages
Grades 9-Up
Graphic Novel

After enduring a childhood of parental addiction and fighting, Russell's parents separate and he leaves with his Dad to relocate in sunny California in the 1950's. After a brief stint renting a room, Russell and Dad move into a new house and Dad begins work as a prison ESL teacher. Russell befriends neighborhood boys, Willie and Kurt and the three ride around on their bikes, hang out in the junk yard, and build a tree-house. When school starts Russell's two new friends go to a different schools, forcing him to branch out. He befriends Warren and the two begin to hang out after school, avoiding the school bullies as a team. The friendship with Warren must be severed when derogatory gay rumors start floating about his new friend and Russell does not want to be labeled by association. Time passes and Dad's drinking escalates, as Kurt's personality becomes meaner and uncomfortable to be around. Someone is killing neighborhood dogs and fingers are pointed at Warren. Did he do it? Meanwhile, where is Dad? Russell is forced to make some tough choices, grow up quickly, and learn what it means to be a man.

Although not a happy book, Small's follow-up to critically acclaimed Stitches does not disappoint. The volume features a thirteen-year-old protagonist and is presented in a graphic format, making it seem more juvenile than what it is. In reality this coming of age story is very dark and sophisticated and is intended for an adult audience, although will find a readership with mature teenagers (much like Stitches). The illustrations are entirely in shades of black and white and are intended to reflect the French storytelling style of cinema verite. This certainly comes through as the text, storyline, and illustrations work together to create a true work of art. The story, itself, goes very dark and includes topics such as parental alcoholism and abandonment, animal mutilation, severe homophobia, and extreme bullying. Russell must make tough decisions and sometimes he gets it wrong. Role models finally emerge in unexpected places and the reader leaves this powerful story with a sense of hope for this character that we come to care and worry about. Small's 1950's California is not a place of sunshine and flamingos, but of broken dreams and desperation. A thoughtful graphic novel beautifully and carefully constructed into a fine work of art.