The Book of Hope (2015)

In a way that only the medium of comics can, The Book of Hope slows the reader down to the rhythms of the life of a retired couple living in a rural countryside. Behind the static, routine moments of everyday life something bigger takes shape. Encroaching death stars to consume the husband, leading to visions and questions. This graphic novel from cartoonist Tommi Musturi is a thoughtful exploration of the human condition, filled with timeless humor and life itself. The strong presence of silence and nature reflect the arctic exotica of Musturi's native Finland, but with a relatability, eloquence, and economy that will remind American readers of Chris Ware's Jimmy Corrigan.