The Faint of Heart by Kerrilynn Wilson: Review

What would you do if you lived in a world where living without sadness, anger, or pain also meant giving up happiness, hope, and love? In this deeply poignant graphic novel, all of June’s family and friends have had their hearts removed in order to get rid of the pain and stress of life. June, the only one left with a heart, is the only person who still sees the colour in life. She is determined to give the gift of happiness back to her sister.

The beauty of life and human emotion jumps from every page of this stunning graphic novel. In June, Wilson has created a protagonist who is highly relatable, captivating, and endearing in her mission to enrich the lives of those she loves with human emotion once more. The illustrations, reminiscent of the works of Shaun Tan in their immersive emotional aura, beautifully reflect the almost Orwellian nature of the plot. Wilson’s graphic novel is an innovative exploration of the central role of empathy and emotion in the human experience. June’s story speaks to the consequences of hiding from pain, as well as the importance of learning to process difficult emotions in constructive ways. The Faint of Heart illustrates how, even when a situation may seem completely hopeless, light can always be found at the end of the tunnel.

This book is a truly beautiful story about friendship, family, and hope.

Joanna Geoghegan