Read the description of 49 Days by Agnes Lee as that tells the story. My review is one that focuses on the fact that this is an emotional, complex and beautifully done book. I am focusing on the pieces that really spoke to me. And how it is relatable in many ways.
I like the realism of the grief processes. It is strong and powerful, and the idea of “yes, I must grieve, but I also must keep on living” is an interesting twist. Usually in books people’s grief goes too far over one side or the other (both lead to not dealing with it, but one goes with extreme depression or hyper focus on anything but the grief). The family of the one who has died and the daughter/sibling who has died have their stories separate, but continually flipping between the two. We also add a friend/boyfriend of the deceased and a sweet, and funny, look at how her friends are dealing as well. And when one side shows their part of things, it will be countered by the other side.
The artwork is as basic as one can get away with without having anything there at all. This is powerful. The white space is just as much a part of things than the text. But there is so much put on each page, making what should be a simple Point A to Point B story one of the most complex stories I’ve read this year. There are almost empty pages and there are a handful of completely black pages as well. Black and white surrounds us, making the entire illustration. And yet, things are not dull or empty.
There are way too many emotions happening all at once, and we the reader become part of the characters’ story. I enjoy how the Buddhist traditions are given, but the author made them (in their words) vague so as not to have a “one true wayism” nor focus completely on that so it is personal to each person in the story and/or reader. And the way the characters connect during this time is bitter, but also comforting. Food is an integral part of things as is the process of the Buddhist elements we see.
I have two favorite parts. The first is where the brother of Kit has his own secret shrine to ray at, but not completely “old school” or ‘traditional.” It has the combination of both and how he needs it to be to complete his own personal faith. But perhaps my favorite part is my second favorite back and it is actually how our character is killed. Of course this is not because of the act itself (it is a horrible event) but how the simplicity gives you more of a punch than seeing the full event.
Triggers: dealing with death due to a motor vehicle accident and the aftermath (such as taking her things out of the apartment).