Staff Pick
Told in a series of vivid memories of growing up with a severely mentally ill mother, Espé's heartbreaking graphic novel is, through some extreme feat of empathy, completely free of anger or bitterness. Recommended By Keith M., Powells.com
Synopses & Reviews
Bastien is eight years old, and his mother is ill. She often has what his father and grandparents call "episodes." She screams and fights, scratches and spits, and has to be carted away to specialized clinics for frequent treatments. Bastien doesn't like it when she goes, because when she comes home, she isn't the same. She has no feelings, no desires, and not much interest in him. According to the doctors, Bastien's mother suffers from "bipolar disorder with schizophrenic tendencies," but he prefers to imagine her as a comic-book heroine, like Jean Grey, who may become Dark Phoenix and explode in a superhuman fury at any moment.
Based on the author's own childhood experiences, The Parakeet is the story of a boy whose only refuge from life's harsh realities lies in his imagination. In his eyes, we see the confusion and heartache he feels as he watches his mother's illness progress and the treatments fail. Through his eyes, we see how mental illness can both tear families apart and reaffirm the bonds of love. Poignant yet playful, The Parakeet follows Bastien's struggle to accept the mother he has while wishing for the mother he needs.
Review
"Poignant from start to finish, The Parakeet reveals Espé's considerable range of talents." Planète Bd
Review
"A poignant and moving work of autobiographical fiction." SensCritique
Review
"The Parakeet is a beautiful book. Espé's storytelling is tender and compelling, narratively and visually." Rachel Lindsay, author of RX: A Graphic Memoir
Synopsis
An account in graphic novel format, based on the author's own experiences, of a boy coping with his mother' suffering from bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, showing how mental illness can both tear families apart and reaffirm the bonds of love.
About the Author
Graphic novelist Espé was born Sébastien Portret in Mazamet, France. A graduate of the École des Beaux-Arts in Toulouse, he collaborated in the publication of several comics series, including Châteaux Bordeaux, and he is the creator of L'Île des Justes.