A Compelling, Heavy Hitting Debut: ‘What We Don’t Talk About’ Graphic Novel Review

I was HYPED to get a review copy of this graphic novel. While not intimately familiar with the author, I had seen her art online in a few places. Like the Dr. Harold Moody (once described as Britain’s Dr. Martin Luther King) Google Doodle and a few of these gorgeous pieces of dancing, smiling, carefree brown-skinned women for AARP. While I didn’t know Charlot Kristensen, the creative behind the work, I saw enough of her art to know that it contained a warmth, not every digital artist is capable of bringing true warmth to their work and she used all the colors to capture attention in every piece of hers that I saw. So, when I had a chance to review her debut graphic novel, I was so happy and agreed.

What We Don’t Talk About is a heavy hitter of a debut for a graphic novel. The book follows Farai who, has been in a relationship for two years and has never met her partner’s parents. Until this weekend. She’s not prepared for the crap show that awaits her. Neither does her significant other even try to prepare her for the folks who raised him. The first pages introduce us to one Farai, daughter of Zimbabwean immigrants, and girlfriend to Adam whom she’s hurrying to meet. Her bedroom invokes visuals of a person who loves color, loves plants and who is an artist. And she carries on a conversation with her mother on the phone and she assures her that “He’s different:” we’re treated to art supplies all over the room tucked into corners, brightly colored curtains and rugs and potted…