Quentin Zuttion

I didn't love the art style, even though the pops of colours between the cool blues were mesmerizing, but the poignant story is truly touching. Respectfully written, it addresses difficult topics such as death, ageing, dementia and mental health struggles.

The main character, Estelle, is a kind and empathetic nurse in an assisted living centre, but the work eventually takes a toll on her, especially every time she loses the people she literally cares for.

In the end, those people were her family too, and will always be a part of her life and her most precious memories. Without making spoilers, I think that's why the end is so fitting, although surprising.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.… (más)

I was disappointed to find that this was not an #OwnVoices work of nonfiction but rather a fiction that the author assures us it is in part based on the true story of the child of a person she knows. The gender identities of the author and artist are not stated, but the publisher stresses that the translator of this edition is nonbinary for the value they perceive that adds.

There were some interesting moments throughout, but the story didn't really gel for me, being maybe a bit too episodic, quick, and/or neat and tidy. It's not bad per se, but I've just read so many better books on the subject lately.

Trigger warnings: There is a lot of transphobia with typical high school bully sorts, but several scenes are given over to the visible horror of the family members failing to cope immediately with Nathan's transition. There is some self-harm, and imagery related to gender affirmation surgeries gets very graphic and gory as if intending to emphasize that mutilation is occurring. So that's all rough reading.… (más)

Estelle works as a nurse at an assisted living center where she spends her days taking care of aging and lonely residents.

In this deeply emotional graphic novel, Quentin Zuttion explores the themes of aging, death and dementia through the eyes of a young woman, Estelle. The nurse accompanies the senior citizens until their final days on Earth. She helps them in their daily routine, plays with them and makes sure that their needs are fulfilled. The author also shows how Estelle is affected after their passing, how she has a hard time dealing with it in her private life.

The White Lady is overall a very touching and unconventional story. Through different residents, Estelle encounters stories of broken dreams, of lost love and family’s abandonment. Quentin Zuttion’s monochrome watercolors accentuates the feeling of sadness and the difficult repetitive days of the nurse.… (más)