cbr15bingo Dwelling the building they live in is being torn down as their neighborhood is being hit by gentrification
Will a slacker stay a slacker or is there more for him? Dreary images show the seedy, dark side of things in UTown. CABs (Caroline Breault) story is realistic, gritty, raw, and maybe a bit too relatable. There are mature themes, language, and content. A true literary graphic novel that is not for everyone, but maybe everyone should read.
The book report portion of this review for UTown is short and sweet, but the book is anything but. It is hard to talk about it, because that gives spoilers, but the basic idea is Sam meets Edwin (Ed) the night Ed comes to live with his uncle, who has skipped town (though from what it sounds like, it is really not a big loss). Realizing he is just a teenager, with no place else to go, Sam lets the kid crash at his place. Now Ed is part of the rough and not so ready gang of the run-down building they call home.
But soon, the letter comes telling the residents they have only a few months left to live there as the building is condemned, and will be torn down for new, rich, condos. I would normally say, “things happen” but in this case, it is crap that goes down and what it means to be a true artist, friend, and human being plays out amongst it. There are drugs, alcohol, fear and ugly. There are a mixture of people in all shapes, colors, sizes, ages, and presenting. There are people looking out for only themselves, until you need them the most. And there are BFFs that never left, no matter how much you screwed up, or currently screw up. Yet, perhaps there is a little hope in all of the life, love, and confusion that happens as well.
This is an emotional book. Filled with the angst, love and hate of the people and what you feel towards them. It is interesting that at first I didn’t really like anyone, even the sweet kid Edwin. And at the end, I still did not really like everyone, but came away with a stronger understanding and empathy for them. There is the surface story; and the deeper story. The only reason this book is not a five is because I found it hard to understand who was who due to the art. Due early July 2023, and when the final comes out I will find a copy to see if they are fleshed out more, and if there is color to them. Plus, having read via an online reader copy, makes me think I might have missed a few things. 
