Genre: Graphic Novel, Sequential Art, Romance, LGBT
Publisher: Europe Comics
Pages: 160
Publication Date: April, 2021
My Rating: 5 out of 5 bookmarks
Synopsis:
What is this “love” everyone talks about? Viola doesn’t yet know. But it is a question she is asking herself more and more, because at her age there are some kinds of problems you feel even in the air that you breathe: your self-image and the way you think others see you, the relationship between you and your body and the other gender, couple issues, the freedom to follow your aspirations, and the need to fit in socially accepted categories. On vacation with her parents, during the idle hours of the afternoon while everyone is sleeping, Viola’s encounters and experiences will help her grow as a person and get answers to the hard questions that everyone has to face sooner or later, and she will reshape her identity, in a summer she’ll never forget.
My Review:
Forever by Assia Petricelli is a remarkable summer time read which explores love. Through Viola’s character, the book helps the readers explore romantic as well as platonic love.
In many ways I felt nostalgic while reading through this beautifully illustrated novel. It brought back memories from when I was a teenager and was still discovering what love meant to me. Through this book it is reiterated that love to many means different things.
The best part about the novel is that it isn’t preachy in terms of what love should be and the characters included to highlight them felt so real. The illustrations perfectly added to the reading experience and held my interest throughout.
When I initially started the novel, I feared it might be a problematic book with some of the terms used and even feared that the relationships shown might be toxic too. But the author has done a phenomenal job of tying all loose ends and took the opportunity to briefly touch on issues like consent, using protection and unhealthy relationships.
Personally, I would have preferred a different ending to Viola and Ireneo’s relationship but it also aptly shows how much Viola had grown since the beginning of summer. Lastly, I loved Viola’s shared relationship with Lili and Paola so so much!!
I rate the book 5 out of 5 bookmarks for the constant smile on my face, the beach vibes and the beautiful depiction of the many forms of love. Highly recommend it!
I’d like to thank NetGalley and Europe Comics for providing me with an eARC of the book to review. I’d also like to congratulate the author – Assia Petricelli – and illustrator – Sergio Riccardi – on their new book which came out earlier in April, 2021.
