FICTION

Last Things: A Graphic Memoir About ALS

illus. by Marissa Moss. 176p. Conari. May 2017. pap. $18.95. ISBN 9781573246989.
COPY ISBN
This graphic novel follows one family's struggle with ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease. Harvey, a university professor, enjoys traveling and has a loving wife and three sons. He typically takes charge of things at home, but when he is diagnosed with ALS, life changes dramatically for everyone. Though the story is told from the point of view of Harvey's wife (Moss), who becomes his primary caretaker while juggling work and childcare, readers gain tremendous insight into how everyone, including extended family members, deals with the diagnosis. Moss's illustrations convey the intensity of the decisions and occurrences, painting a picture of this trauma that words alone cannot. Additional graphics, such as charts and lists, shed light on the reality of life with ALS.
VERDICT A valuable offering for anyone preparing for or coping with the loss of a family member to disease.

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