This might be an odd start to a review, but I am not the intended audience for the book, Unfinished by Tom Neely. Mostly because it was very “avant guard,” or even abstract-realism, and it felt over the top at times. However, while some of the images were very graphic (and even not for the adult reader who might be sensitive to images), they were also hauntingly beautiful in places. And here is where I was the audience for the book. I was able to appreciate how the darkness was hauntingly eye-catching. Unfortunately, the book shows violence, blood, firearm use, knives, body harming, and other potential triggers. It is not for everyone, as it is deeply personal to the author and mature. It will evoke emotions and strong negative or positive reactions.
This is a short art piece book. I’d go as far to say a “fancy zine.” There are three parts, each one talking about “the theme.” What is the book about? I have one idea, the author another, and the rest of the readers will have their own take. Therefore, there are thousands of potential interpretations of what this book is about. This, again, is an art piece that is a love letter to a beloved someone that the author has lost. It is a conversation about mental health, loss, grief, love and the universe. Or, at least, that is my interpretation.
The rating of three is rounded up from 2.75. I know that seems low, but there were images that greatly upset and disturbed me, as I think they were meant to. I do not think the author meant for you to walk away with a happy-happy-joy-joy feeling. They want you to feel sorrow, their loss, and perhaps even have some hope (in places). However, I also do not think the author wants you to feel hopeless. I think they want you to know that you are not alone. And that Neely themselves are also not alone. They are putting love out in the universe as well as their pain.
The cover does not give you a perfect look at what is inside. While, it is the majority of the images (that old-school cartoon, humor magazine, ‘zine look), there are also some intensely dark images that look like a different illustrator partook of them. It is an interesting book, with even the smaller than usual size making it a thought provoking work. It is an experience that I am glad I took, but probably won’t take again. Or take another reading journey with the author/illustrator again. But one should never say never.
