This was such a beautifully drawn drama / coming of age story that reminded me so much of Huckleberry Finn (then I read at the end that the author was inspired by it!)
The illustrations make you feel like you’re in the actual swamp!

“We’re all going to die. Just not all at once. Each in turn… but for now, I’m right here, with you.”

Swamp is a gorgeously illustrated, lush, and atmospheric graphic novel about three children in the 1930’s south. The story follows the children as they face oppression and threats of violence due to racism, classism, and misogyny. In the first few pages, the threat of racial violence looms over our Black main character, Otis, represented by ominous, almost supernatural lights shining at him in the bayou. The art is detailed and delicate, and the use of colors adds an essential sense of place and atmosphere to this story.

Louis carefully builds suspense throughout the story, using both his haunting imagery and his child characters’ lack of worldly knowledge to pull the reader through the pages. While I wish that the Black characters, aside from Otis, had been more developed, the novel is able to veer away from white savior-ism by the end, leaving the child characters to rely on themselves. The reader, too, is left haunted by the cruelty and inattention of the adults in this world, and the persistence of the children’s friendship through it all.

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I have received a free copy of this Graphic novel, in exchange for an honest review, Thanks for Johann And NeTGalley for the opportunity.
<blockquote>Ignorance is the root of evildoing.</blockquote>
<img src="https://imgur.com/rK1exXL.jpg"/>
After Seeing the First page This was my reaction!
"Be still my heart.
The art style is so beautiful and unique, why is no one reading these graphic novels, in need of readers helping them spread on NetGalley, i have no idea!
This art style on it's own can carry any graphic novel to success."
At that point i was thinking i hope we continue the graphic novel in a night setting, i already loved the Artist's depiction of the night!
<img src="https://imgur.com/cigmgDx.jpg"/>
When you i saw the first Morning panel, even though it was a smaller panel, and smaller panels in this Graphic novel tend to use simpler but still the same style of art and as beautiful!
Except the smaller panels with a close up of course! I wrote this note on my phone.
"And then there was light, and it was as beautiful as the dark.
I am not sure if i am way more emotional lately, or what?! but the three graphic novels i read through NetGalley, tears wear streaming down my face, either i am so touched by the beautiful art style like i am now, or the touching story like [book:Eight Limbs|62919032], and [book:Yazidi!|143525989]."

Europe Comics even though they have been around since 2015, and even though the last news i heard about them, felt to me and many comic readers to be taking a step back, But i am glad that the new graphic novels they are putting out, are so strong stories with amazing art like Swamp, Or very emotional important true stories like Yazidi, i hadn't read Europe Comics before, but if the stories and quality is always like this, Then we are in for a lot of great and fun times, Reading through their published works.

Swamp tells a story of a time where racism ran rampant, but a poor white boy, black kid, broke the circle of hate, and they are really good friends, and like to spend their time together, despite it bringing them problems, And a semi rich girl while spending her vacation in the Bayou gets attracted to the duo and they become really good friends for the duration of the summer!

<blockquote>But for now, I'm right here with you, you know, You Have to know how to grab hold of happiness when it comes your way.</blockquote>
This is bound to sweep you off your feet, away from the here and now, and take you back to your childhood years and memories, When i was a kid, i remember each summer was spent in some different circle, During School you drift away from your current group, everyone is so busy with going to school and homework (the homework over here is brutal), So always the next summer i find myself heading somewhere else in my neighborhood, and getting with a new group of friends!
Most of which see me to this day, and stop to shake my hand and give me a hug asking how i am doing, even if i can't put my hands on their name, i remember our memories together.

This Graphic novel is actually huge, not only because of the 160 pages, many pages had 10 panels, and most had 6+ panels, it was an extravagant journey, of art, and really sweet story telling, it touches your heart, and i was interested the entire time, only issue i wanted to finish it in one day, and after the first day reading 80 pages, among my other reads, i found that it will be impossible to do that.

I read this graphic novel like all others, with great attention to details, i have watched every little detail of every piece of art, and i found myself just consumed more and more, and appreciative more and more by them.

This is actually translated from French, The first language that this was published with, Thanks For Europe comics, to launching this to the global audience.

At page 63, I wanted to know the music of the song being sang in the comic this page.
I look and find it finally, Do Do Do by The beautiful Doris Day.
And i just lie down, smile of absolute elation on my face, my hands behind my head, enjoying the song before i continue reading. ❤️
I never shy away from taking time out, and just expanding my experience, bringing voice and music to the lyrics in front of me, the scene with the mother singing, and the girl dancing, was awesome, Kids are not always appreciative of their parents talents or work, i heard a lot of singers or actors of how their kids are dismissive of their careers xD But Shelley here loved her mom's voice, and she was a great dancer, in my mind, she will treat her heart problem, and become a great, dancer.
Red will become a private eye like he always wanted to be, and Otis will join him like he always wanted to, These kids will beat the odds, and remain great friends forever.

I would have liked to finish the review here, but i took some pics, of really funny panels xD
The Humor was amazing, nothing felt cringy at all, This was just life in all it's beauty, sadness, struggles, and laughs!

<img src="https://imgur.com/X2Ov4Qm.jpg"/>
Otis reminds of me of my college self lol
Also he looked so familiar, i just can't put my fingers on it, on who he might look like when he grew up!
<img src="https://imgur.com/6mZ6ZTx.jpg"/>
Red is just Brutal lol
<img src="https://imgur.com/kztH415.jpg"/>
Umm, so why are you not running? 🏃‍♂️😂
<img src="https://imgur.com/38zlY0a.jpg"/>
She is thinking why they can't run, but i was thinking how the hell is that thing even moving!
<img src="https://imgur.com/TmvVYeV.jpg"/>
That's me each time i tell someone older, i ll eventually catch up to them, you can't run away forever, i ll be older than you one day!

It's been a blast, Thank you!

This reminds me of stories I used to love as a kid. The characters were lovable and fun to read about. The illustrations were incredible, I some of them I'd even buy as paintings.

My first real foray into graphic novels, and one that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Swamp: A Summer in the Bayou is the story of two friends, Otis and Red, and the events of a summer that change them. A bit of a coming of age tale, this also deals with issues of race and class. In the 1930s American South, Otis, who is black, and Red's, who is white, friendship is frowned upon by both their communities and we see how events conspire to drive them apart.

This was billed as an adult novel but read more like a middle grade. It deals with serious subjects but in a way that wouldn't be too disturbing. I found it very moving, but it also had me laughing aloud at some points. The author said in his afterward that he was inspired by Mark Twain's novels Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, and I definitely felt the tone was reminiscent of those books.

I really liked the artwork as well. As I say, this is really my first graphic novel, so I'm not sure how to compare it, but it looked like colour pencil sketches that had some lovely details.

I'm not sure whether there will be a sequel but the story was left a little open in some ways. I'd definitely read more from this author. I recommend Swamp and if you aren't sure about graphic novels this seems like a good way to try them out.

I'd like to thank the publishers and Netgalley for kindly providing me with an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

As someone who grew up and still lives in the deep south, this story was accurate in many cultural way, particularly dialect.

This tells of an unusual friendship for the time, between a white and black boy, in the deep south (I understood it for being Louisiana, Mississippi, or maybe East Texas. These two boys spend their time adventuring the bayou together, however when a man winds up murdered from Otis' neighborhood, he fears playing with Red due to the dangers of angering the white people in town. They become friends with a city girl Shelley from the North who is vacationing there for the summer.

This book touches on friendship and the impacts of racism during this time. Many moments of this novel left my heart aching due to the subject matter that is deeply connected to our region. This novel covers these topics in a way that cuts to the heart of the injustice. The artwork depicts the beautiful carefree childhood these two boys deserve, against the themes and content so dark in comparison. I believe this in a way is a coming of age tale set in the south like the classics that inspired the author.

I give this 5 stars because it truly made me feel something. I wish that I could save these boys from that time, despite things not being perfect now either.