Good-Bye, Chunky Rice

    (Top Shelf, 1999)
™ and © Top Shelf

Creator Craig Thompson uses allegory and symbolism as his tools to paint a painful, haunting, yet ultimately inspirational story of friendship and change, and how one affects the other. Feeling a yearning to leave his childhood behind, Chunky Rice is but one of the many important characters that define the story. With a heavy heart, Chunky follows his urges, leaving behind his devastated best friend and childhood sweetheart, Dandel.

As is often the case in real life, separation is only the first of many trials that Chunky must face, as he embarks on his journey to the outside world. He faces hardship upon hardship with only the smallest keepsake linking him to a happier time, while trying to remain blissfully optimistic that things will work out. While exploring Chunky’s way of dealing with change, Thompson also takes time to explore how the book’s other characters deal with their own life’s changes.

The mean-spirited boat captain who takes Chunky on his way is haunted by his childhood memories. His two daughters would gladly welcome time apart, if that were an option. And Chunky’s former roommate laments the loss of his close friend. All are engaged in different kinds of friendship, and all are affected differently by them. This is the magic of Thompson’s graphic novel.

This new edition of an acknowledged major work sports a new cover by Thompson. This is the perfect opportunity for new readers to say hello to Chunky Rice.

—Jim Johnson
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