‘Swamp: A Summer in the Bayou’ Book Review
It’s late in the evening, and a small cottage is lit up amidst a dark swamp. Unlike its desolate exterior, its interior is filled with lively African-Americans, dancing the blues away in their secret getaway. The opening scene of “Swamp: A Summer in the Bayou” immediately reminded me of the 2022 movie “A Jazzman’s Blue,” which revolves around the unsolved murder case of a Black man called a Bayou. However, apart from their retro timeline and the theme of racial segregation, the two works are quite different from each other.
Created by Johann Louis G, this graphic novel follows Otis and Red, two eleven-year-old best friends who come from poor working-class families. They share a love for cutting school and embarking on small adventures around the swamp. However, their friendship is met with disapproval from others due to the racial difference between Red, who is white, and Otis, a person of color. Despite the social obstacles, the boys continue to meet in secret and further endanger themselves by befriending Shelley, a new girl who happens to be the daughter of a big city singer.
The artwork in this graphic novel is distinctly unique, combining a sketchbook-style illustration with the tonality of watercolor paintings. Johann Louis G incorporates numerous lines in the panels and opts for glum colors that complement the racial and serious undercurrents of the story. I liked how the creator plays with the color palette to reflect the mood of each scene, a technique commonly observed in many other graphic novels. For instance, pages with tense scenes employ a two-toned approach, while lighter moments, such as a scene where everyone is having tea, feature more colors and shades.
At first glance, ‘Swamp: A Summer in the Bayou’ appears to be a tale about three friends exploring their surroundings and enjoying a happy summer. However, there is a constant lingering sense of something sinister in the air. The story includes a subplot revolving around the disappearance of several Black individuals in the area, which instills fear and panic within Otis’ community. This subplot also threatens to drive a wedge between the friends. Overall, this is a gripping children-friendly graphic novel which delves into themes of friendship, class divisions, and finding happiness in life’s little moments. The climax felt a little abrupt, but was realistic, which also means that the readers don’t get a very conclusive ending to the tale.
It’s a 4 on 5 from me.
