I read this book after researching after seeing the movie Welcome to Marwen. A unique and sad telling of trauma of a man and how he coped. It really spoke to me, and I wanted to learn more about Mark Hogancamp. I came across this book during my digging into the search and wanted to read more and see it from the eyes of the artist and not the vision of a director.
This book talks about the life Mark had before and after the attack that changed his life. It goes more in depth about the fictional world he created set in World War II and the town of Marwencol. I love how many pictures are included giving a closer look at each building and characters constructed in his world. There are also photographs that compliment the story telling of life before and after his traumatic event. You can really see how the world he created was truly formed by the things he can remember and even by the things he couldn’t.
The movie and the book are both incredible testimonials of how life can be derailed and how art can help with coping. I realized one morning after I wrote this book on my list to review this year that this hit harder home to me as someone who began an art form to cope with the things that have traumatized me and even to this day using art and writing to revisit old wounds to heal.
This is a recommended book because it’s a fantastic book. I do also recommend the movie as well, but this book is what’s up for today and should be given a closer look by anyone and everyone.
This review is a part of my 2020 yearlong self-challenge to read and review. I have reread some books for the purpose of reviewing them on my website whereas I have read others for the first time. Check out Book Reviews and Recommendations to find other book reviews, book recommendations, and more information about the books I’m reading, have read, or are sharing.
Have you read this book? What were your thoughts? Do you agree with me? Do you disagree? Let’s have a conversation about it.
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