SoXiety (Tamlyn Teow, Riveted Press)

Tamlyn Teow’s SoXiety offers a thought-provoking, immersive experience that mirrors the anxiety of today’s world. Teow’s graphic novel, the first in a new collection called The Book of Kin, is a silent narrative with overwhelming imagery that follows a nameless figure struggling to cope in a world where various forms of media and online behaviour have erased the population’s humanity. Despite the chaos, all is not lost; nature is waiting to provide an escape and a chance for real connection, but the first steps to reclaiming yourself must come from within. Teow’s scratchy, swirling, greyscale art style is atmospheric and more intent on conveying a vibe than direct information. Individual moments are occasionally tricky to follow, but the narrative’s overall arc is always clear and firmly expressed. The Creator’s Guide to the Inner World of SoXiety, which will be available online for readers, spells out the themes and provides a panel-by-panel walkthrough of the story. Also featuring useful backstory, this version of events is more accessible but less evocative than the one told through the graphic novel’s sometimes cramped artwork. Ultimately, SoXiety is a compelling exploration of anxiety and nature, with its visual and narrative layers blending to create a broader, poignant commentary on the effects of social media. Thoughtful, unsettling and highly relevant, the book is recommended for readers ages 14+ – and anyone ready to question what social media is doing to them.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Anthony Morris is a freelance reviewer, novelist, and podcaster. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

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Category: Reviews