Emilia McKenzie offers a unique experience in her heartbreaking yet deeply human graphic debut. This comic/memoir honestly explores the loss of a close friend.
But you have friendsarises after the tragic death of Charlotte, a close friend of Emilia’s since her high school years.
With a visual narrative reminiscent of a personal diary, Emilia unfolds a series of vignettes that take us through their relationship, from their first encounters at a London school to the final moments when mutual support was not enough to save Charlotte from her mental health problems.
This intimate format and the choice of simple but expressive illustrations make the book an emotionally charged tribute that will grab the reader from the very first page.
The relationship between Emilia and Charlotte, two teenagers attracted to feminist literature, indie music and a style of their own, evokes a bond that evolves and matures, exposing the fragility and depth of friendship.
The story transitions between nostalgia and moments of confrontation with adult reality, as the two grapple with their own aspirations and internal struggles. McKenzie’s graphic prose unfolds with a clarity that transports readers to their most honest and personal moments, turning the reading into a process of introspection and empathy.
The book not only resonates as a tribute, but becomes an invitation to reflect on how we build, lose, and remember our deepest relationships.
Author:
Emilia McKenzie has been publishing comics since 2008, working primarily in the science fiction genre under the alias Emix Regulus. With a background in illustration and writing, she is known for her detailed style, reminiscent of Roz Chast and Liv Stromquist in her ability to capture expressions and emotions in a minimalist manner.
McKenzie succeeds in making the pain of unexpected and profound loss palpable, while celebrating the small joys and shared memories.
Published by Malpasoycia.