Although having a seemingly lighthearted cover, this graphic novel explores the journey of grieving over the author’s young daughter’s unexpected and unexplained death. Rosalie Lightning is  a brave book, for searching for representations to express ones grievance is incredibly hard. I find some parts of this book very fragmented, and a little hard to follow. To me, it was these fragments that make this book even more heartbreaking–it is the feeling of not knowing and emptiness. The style of drawing for the main story line contains lots of thick strokes; the characters do not really express any happiness on their faces. These details also contribute to the chaotic undertone of the book as well as the feeling of lost and sorrow. However, I also see this book as a form of closure for Hart, because in the book , he describes the process of discovering love and reflections of his daughter through the surroundings, that helps him to heal.

At the very end of the book, a little girl of a stranger gave Hart a kiss on the cheek. That was a heartwarming moment for a parent looking to rekindle the flame of hope, and brings the readers some relief.

To read more about Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC), visit http://sudc.org/