In 1972, Terry Eisele’s parents divorced. While that is tragic in itself, it was a benefit to readers as, without it, we would never have got this heartwarming book. The book reads like a thank you letter to his grandmother, Mary Newman, and is a nostalgic look at the weekends that Terry spent at her house.
The duo of Eisele and artist Brian Canini (a Scribbler founder) expertly craft their world together. Readers are transported to the time period and can connect with the characters, like when Terry’s grandmother cares for him after cutting his leg. You become part of the scene, breathing in the cigarette smoke in the living room, trying on a new pair of Groucho mustache glasses, and listening to the Cincinnati Reds on the radio.
Eisele gets so many things right in this book. For example, he documents the details that get lost in the fog of memory at not remembering his grandmother’s funeral. Canini’s artwork, while not hyperrealistic, makes each character feel unique and his textures and expressions make the page a true pleasure to drink in.