Review by Maia Dueck
Tundra Books, March 2024
235 pp, paperback, $24.99 CAD, 9781774880746
Young Adult, Ages 15-18
Fiction, Graphic Novel
Some people won’t get it, but you just gotta find a way of living that feels good, true, and right
Sometimes, the world is overwhelming, and searching for an escape is understandable. For seventeen year old Oli, it isn’t just understandable – it’s something she has to do.
After dealing with rumours and bullies for far too long, Oli runs away from her home in Vancouver in search of “The Evergreen” – a commune where people live together, sharing and working the land. While her mom and old friend, Liam, work tirelessly to find her, she and her friends, Milo and Alvin, face numerous obstacles as they plow forward in their search. But will the past catch up to her, and is “The Evergreen” really the perfect oasis she’s looking for?
Oli’s motivation drove the plot forward, and I enjoyed that she wasn’t afraid to be messy and honest. The pace wasn’t too rushed or too slow, and the moments where characters delved deeper into the emotional side of their past felt earned. As a graphic novel, the atmospheric art style and colour grading captured Oli’s emotional state and the overall tone of the story well. Seriously, the art was so beautiful! Those who live around Vancouver will recognize familiar places, streets, and nature illustrated throughout this book. I found myself lighting up when I saw landmarks I recognized – it was like an inside joke shared with the author, a hidden nugget for a home that I don’t often see depicted on the page.
For readers who are expecting a more lighthearted graphic novel, be prepared: The Gulf is much darker than I expected. It deals with heavy topics like capitalism and burnout, and it doesn’t shy away from the big feelings and charged decisions of its characters. However, through the use of character conversations, witty dialogue, and beautiful illustrations, the author grounded the characters in their setting and provided them space to grow in their own ideas. This in turn allowed the space for the audience to wrestle along with the characters as their different perspectives shone on the page.
With stunning illustrations and a gripping plot, The Gulf is a great choice for anyone looking for their place in the world, teenager or adult. You’ll most certainly find comfort in this story and its cast of relatable and grounded characters. Look out for this read once it hits the shelves!
Maia Dueck is an avid reader and writer currently taking a general arts degree at UBC with an interest in English and Creative Writing. Her favorite trope is probably enemies-to-lovers.
YOUNG ADULTING 