The Girl Who Flew Away

by Lee Dean

It's 1976, and Greer Johnson has found herself pregnant, single, and packed off to Florida. Bunking with total strangers to await and hide the birth of her boss's child, she finds herself unmoored and friendless in the sun-and-fun-obsessed Key West.

While searching for something, anything to give her comfort, Greer does have a few things going for her: She’s surrounded by an unusual parade of singular advisors, neighbors, and allies in a strange new environment, and a wild imagination run amok. But will her flights of fancy be her salvation, or her ultimate undoing?

A beautifully illustrated, nostalgic, and timely graphic novel about fate and making a life from scratch.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Adult, Historical Fiction, Comic Book, Realistic Fiction, Fiction

396 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2017

Reviews

[Rosh ~catching up slowly~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

In a Nutshell: A graphic novel about a pregnant girl who feels alone in the world. Good use of the 1970s historical setting and the Florida Keys location. Somewhat literary in style, complex characters, slightly unstructured plot, no closure at the end, old-style illustrations. This is for those who are more about the journey than about the destination.

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Plot Preview:

1976. Greer Johnson is pregnant with her boss’s baby. At his insistence, she is forced to move from Miami to Florida to stay with his acquaintances, Donald and Kate Bender. The Benders, an old childless couple, have their own reasons for allowing Greer into their house. However, their constant interference bothers Greer, and she longs for someone to understand her. With only a Cuban immigrant gardener around, Greer resorts to flights of fancy to save herself from the dreary days. But will her imagination be enough to improve her reality?

While reading the synopsis of this novel, the historical fiction fan in me became quite curious. The trope of a single pregnant girl being sent to Florida isn't new to historical fiction readers. However, most such books involve the use of “maternity homes”, where the unwed girls were kept till their delivery and their babies would then be offered for adoption while the girls returned to their pre-pregnancy carefree(?) life. This graphic novel surprised me by not having a maternity home at all. Greer was at a private residence, and absolutely free to move about town. So it certainly wasn’t the kind of story I thought I was getting.

Greer’s stay at the Bender residence carries different complications. As Donald Bender doesn’t have a lengthy role, the main conflict of the plot comes from the tussle between Greer and Kate. Given their circumstances and interactions, it is quite tough to decide whom to root for. You might assume that it is obvious to have sympathies towards the pregnant protagonist, but Greer’s behaviour is such that in some scenes, Kate’s frustration reflects our frustration. Many of Greer’s decisions spring from naivete and selfishness, while Kate’s responses come from age-domination and stubbornness. Basically, this isn't a book for those who want likeable characters. Except for Pablo the Cuban gardener (who is a bit too perfect to be convincing in a book wherever everyone else is flawed), the characters are mostly grey and annoying.

There are three subplots in this book. One is, of course, Greer’s life, covering her stay at the Benders’ place and her musings over her future. The second arc is connected to Greer’s imaginative tendencies, which make her create a story about a little girl named Eugenie. The scenes related to Eugenie were quite sweet to read, though they too contained moments of pain. A part of me enjoyed Eugenie’s story much more than Greer’s story. The final arc is about Greer’s past memories, mainly focussing on her late mother and on her old friend named Chris. These left me conflicted as they raised several issues without sorting any properly.

The main reason I couldn’t connect with Greer is that, while her past is explained to some extent, her present decisions don’t come out that clearly. What exactly led to the dalliance between her boss and her, and was it even a dalliance or rape by deception, we never know. Several other life choices she makes are also not elucidated well. The reasons for Kate’s almost-bipolar behaviour are also not explained properly. I would have liked the story far better if I were able to get a clear handle on the characters’ motives and actions.

The title seems to indicate a positive storyline, but the book is rarely positive. With several heavy themes such as closeted attitudes about pre-marital pregnancy, enforced Christian beliefs, mental health issues, self-harming, body image issues, childlessness, illegal immigration, and loneliness, the book felt overloaded with issues. Some scenes showed televised news or a radio broadcast running in the background, and these added even more socio-political topics connected to the news of the day. As such, this book doesn’t make for easy reading at all.

The action of “flying away” indicated in the title is metaphorical for the most way, in terms of how Greer flies away in her imagination. The ending gives a more literal tone to the same, but it offers no closure by leaving the future uncertain.

The illustrations are like nothing I have seen before. This kind of artwork worked both for and against the book. It is quite vintage in style, so reading the book often felt like reading an old comic. As can be seen from the cover page, the book is landscape in orientation, which also adds to the novelty of the experience. I took some time adjusting to the darkish colour tone that used mostly browns and greens. But once my eyes got used to the palette, I enjoyed the illustrations. I even liked that the three subplots each had a distinct colour scheme; it made things easier to understand, especially as no timelines were given and hence flashbacks could turn confusing. Many pages had only graphics and no text, but the panels on these contained several intricate detailing, where the character’s emotions, left not just unspoken but also unexplained, weren’t always easy to interpret. As such, this 410+ pages novel needs concentration.

All in all, this is a very literary kind of graphic novel, with a strong character-oriented plot that doesn’t explain much. You might consider it a clever book that reveals only the characters’ actions and allows you to make up your own mind about them. But if you are the type of reader who prefers all i's dotted and t’s crossed, you might find this book a bit frustrating.

Recommended to those who enjoy the journey of a story more than its destination, and who value the art of a graphic novel more than its plot. I like the destination as much as the journey, and I prefer a balance between plot and art no matter how well either factor works individually. Thus, this book just hits the midway mark for me.

3 stars.


My thanks to Iron Circus Comics for providing the DRC of “The Girl Who Flew Away” via Edelweiss+. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.


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[Rod Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's the mid-1970s, and Greer Marlene Johnson, a woman in her twenties, is hustled from Pittsburgh down to the Florida Keys to stay with friends of her boss, the married man who has impregnated her. A strong start has the woman thinking about how she has come to this moment as she has passive aggressive duels with her hostess, whose changeable personality runs hot or cold at random moments.

Unfortunately the narrative loses steam as Johnson begins dwelling on her dreams and memories of her mother and other dreams about an adopted orphan with seemingly ideal parents. The orphan spawns a full story-within-the-story as Johnson begins writing a book about her that then begins to influence her ongoing dreams.

By the end some secrets come out about a few of the characters, but everything is so bogged down the that non-climax just falls flat.

And then the author tacks on an afterword in which they apologize for the lack of authenticity in their telling of Greer's experience and suggest better books to read instead. I wish that had been a foreword instead so I'd have been warned up front.

[HonestReviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this ARC from NetGalley and Iron Cirus Comics in exchange for an honest review. I can’t express how grateful and honored I feel.

5*

Trigger warning:
• Explicit language
• Suicide attempt
• Racism
• Addiction, drug usage

Have you ever had a dream about flying? It’s a fascinating feeling, soaring high in the sky, never looking down or behind. Nobody tells you where to go, or what to do. It’s like all your life, you’ve been held as a captive and now it’s time to spread your wings and live. Your soul finally thrives. It’s complete freedom. Then, you wake up and realise: it was all just a dream. Soon, the caressing wind, and the feeling of boundless freedom slowly disappear from your memories into the misty regions of your unconscious where no one ever wanders. Forgotten, nonexisting. You go on with your life, daily duties must be done, working behind prison bars. Then, you come across this book.

This story is thought-provoking, exactly what I’ve been looking for. Perfect read. It’s fast-paced but still takes the time to flesh out all the tropes it uses accordingly.

It has an immersive flow, accompanied by stunning pictures. The graphic design created an atmosphere that kept me hooked, I had to see every tiny detail. The facial expressions were the chef’s kiss. Every emotion, and thought was perfectly shown, it was like watching a movie. The color usage, the old appliances, and the surroundings in general made me feel nostalgic for an era I’ve never lived in.

The story only contains dialogues, there’s no descriptive text. Which means everything is shown rather than told. I found this extremely resourceful and intriguing. The way Greer's (the protagonist) past was told, through flashbacks, gave us more insight into her character, and belief system. The daydreaming sequences were fantastic too.

The characters were relatable, everyone had a personality. The way they interacted with each other felt real.

There is one more thing I adore in the story. It’s symbolism. To find out why some things happen the way they are, you must see the similarities between certain characters and their relationships with others. The most important thing is that there is no straight answer to all of the events. You get to come up with them.

I must say, there’s nothing I would change in this book, even though it’s not perfect. Some would say a few things in it are too vague, but in my opinion, that’s intentional. This way we all get what we want from it. It’s a perfect read for all ages, I couldn’t recommend it more.

After you put it down, looking out your window you might see birds, flying off, carefree. Something within you awakens, a compelling urge to fly away, like them, into the unknown. People say it’s impossible, a human cannot fly. But you, remembering now what it felt like in your dream, wish to convince anyone who might oppose that you can. You can be the person who flies away.

[Stephanie (ITakePicturesOfBooks) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this ARC from NetGalley and Iron Circus Comics in exchange for an honest review. .

The Girl Who Flew Away is a visually striking graphic novel that delves into the complexities of isolation, control, ad self-discovery. Illustrated with an evocative use of colour and style, the story follows Greer, a young woman sent away to Florida after discovering she is pregnant with her bosses baby. As she navigates this uncertain and challenging time, we are taken into her world - a place filled with tension, emotional turmoil, and fragmented dreams.

Greer’s journey is one of emotional struggle. She is sent to live with.a family that, at first glance, seems kind enough, but the controlling and manipulative nature of the wife makes Greer’s situation incredibly uncomfortable. The family’s lack of empathy and genuine support leaves Greer feeling more isolated than ever. This suffocating atmosphere is felt on every page, amplified by the muted colour palette of the illustrations,, which effectively conveys Greer’s emotional distance and uncertainty.

Greer finds unexpected solace with the families gardener. He becomes her only real support in the waking world, offering her a sense of peace. In the dream world, Greer is comforted by visions of a little girl, whose presence serves as a symbol of hope. These dream sequences are rendered in a distinct style to the waking world.

The artwork in The Girl Who Flew Away is one of its most compelling aspects. The illustrations complemented the narrative perfectly, and the storytelling is enhanced by the visuals.

Ultimately, The Girl Who Flew Away is a reflective and beautifully illustrated graphic novel that explores themes of self-determination, the impact of isolation, and the desire to escape to something better. If you’re someone who appreciated graphic novels that combine compelling storytelling with striking artwork, The Girl Who Flew Away is definitely worth picking up.

[hope h. · Rating 5 out of 5]

anyone rating this less than five stars did NOT get it!!! god this was incredible, i was reading it at work and impulse bought it because i couldn't finish reading it before close and the thought of waiting until my next shift to finish it was untenable. so so good and impossible to put down - the illustrations are utterly gorgeous, the characters complex and real, the vibes absolutely impeccable. it has that kind of very literary summer haziness to it that's like, both dreamy and also grounded in a lot of very real emotion around being a woman in the 60s (a woman pregnant with her boss's child no less!) that combines to make a very poignant story. i just really really adored this and would love to see more graphic novels like this that have a literary fiction vibe - there's so many ways that art can perfectly enhance that kind of story!

[Zeke Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

not a perfect book, but i feel so confident about 5 stars. it was a meander-y, sweaty, lacking direction, kind of thing, but i loved the picture it showed. felt like the literary equivalent of the feeling of ‘not knowing what to do, but feeling strongly’. and i loved the art style!

[The Bookish Chimera - Pauline · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I’m so sick of other people telling me what to do… I just didn’t want to be alone anymore.”

The Girl Who Flew Away left me quite puzzled. I absolutely adored the graphic style, but the story got me lost. There are several timelines, oscillating between the character’s present, pastS and some story she imagines. Geer is lost, distraught, powerless, and I have to say… so was I during my reading.
Between her exes, her childhood, the not-so-perfect childhood she fantasises for her child, her wants and need, the very religious family who gives her a shelter (under conditions)... we don’t know where to turn.
Yet that feeling, quite dizzy, lingers. It’s enhanced by the glaucous colours that bring nostalgia and melancholia to the story and –in its own way– helps to empathize with the main character. These feelings are powerful, try to catch us, to make us slip into another world. And, in the end, that’s quite the strength of this story.

Thank you to Iron Circus Comics and the author for the eARC via NetGalley. My opinions are my own.

3.5/5

[Josephine Sorrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

In 1976, forty eight years ago, people looked at things differently and were less excepting. Now Greer Johnson is single and pregnant with her married bosses’ child. Desperate to keep her condition a secret, he packs her off to live with his wealthy older friends in Key West, the Benders. Even though living in a tropical paradise, Greer feels isolated, sad, and longs for anything meaningful. The host family is nice enough, although prone to passive aggressive manipulation.
Greer’s only sources of solace are the Benders’ Cuban gardener, Pablo, and a strange but sweet little girl from the 1920s that Greer dreams about.

This graphic novel has amazing illustration and the most expressive faces.

I didn’t want it to end where it did. I want to know more about the future of Greer.

[Philip · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe 3 stars is too harsh for this one? I thought the artwork was really well done, and there were elements of the story that I loved.

I think, ultimately... you never know. Everything is a risk. Every good choice or bad choice. You never know how something is going to turn out. Some choices maybe... help you on a better path. But you just never know. And so much is out of your control.

[Toriah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so much better than I expected it to be when I started it. Usually, stories with pregnancy repulse me but this was compelling, Greer was agonizingly relatable as a woman trying to find her own life in a world where she felt abandoned in.

[Patricia Q · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the story and loved the illustrations.

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Girl Who Flew Away (original pub date 2017, now reprinted by Iron Circus in June 2025; maybe was a webcomic first?) is a graphic novel set in 1976 (and partly in 1926), focused on pregnant early-twenties Greer Johnson, who is sent by her (married) boss, the father of the child, to live with old friends in Florida. The woman Greer lives with is controlling, a newly minted Jesus freak, and racist, and her husband is almost not there at all.

We learn of Greer’s past, we see men swirling around her who just want to use her, though she has two things that seem to keep her afloat: 1) her dreams of someone she had never met, Eugenie, from the twenties, and 2) Pablo, the gardener. Acknowledging all that, we still do not get a deep sense of Greer's motivations; she's drifting, and mostly listless. Eventually, after her babydaddy--kicked out of hs house--shows up, Greer begins to create some sense of independence.

I liked the sort of ornate artwork, the different washes, though sometimes it was a little confusing about the girl she dreams of--is it Greer in a different life? Parallels exist between the two stories. Eugenie also is restricted. Both Eugenie and Greer need to fly away!

Lenny Kravitz, I Got to Fly Away:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvuL5...

I want to thank the author, Lee Dean, the publisher, chicago’s own Iron Circus Press, and Net Galley, for the early look.

[Kelly Teen Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Admittedly, it was hard to follow in the beginning with the way the panels are arranged and the order in which I had to read. I kept reading left to right, but it was not in that format, it was left column down to right column. Then it goes to regular format, unsure if that's intentional or accidental. However, overall, the graphic novel is stunning and interesting. I love the artwork, the panels are so beautiful, thoughtful, emotional. The way the artist draws the protagonist's yoga pants in detail, her eyes so expressive, I can't rave nearly enough about his use of colors and composition. Absolutely stunning, thank you for the beautiful art. The story is slow and sad. I can't put it any other way. I have zero feeling for the couple who agree to take in Greer and treat her less than human. They judge her, demean her, and are just outright snotty, resentful of her youth and potential, which she never even really shows us, I'm just hoping for eventually.

This was a NetGalley advanced reading copy and this is my authentic, honest review.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who appreciates dream-like stories, this was a captivating read for me. The art is just delectable, with patterns and backgrounds that are so intentional, colorful, complimentary, and striking. I felt like my eyes were feasting for 400 pages - what a treat. The story whisks you away without much guidance, a tribute to how Greer felt in this time of her life. She attempts to find her place in a home with a woman who's rich, controlling, and is holding the help she's providing over Greer's head. Greer is surrounded by men driven by their urges, with the exception of a sweet gardener who quickly becomes her best friend. She finds solace in the fantasy world she builds for her inner child, with the tendency to use that realm as an escape, flying away from her life as an expecting mother. I enjoyed the art style, paneling, and colors more than the story itself, but I still appreciated the story. It was a beautiful tribute to how I'm sure many expecting mothers have felt before: lost, alone, and looking to escape to a world that provides more wonder-like care for them.

[Feefs ˚♡˚ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arc Review ── .✦ Many thanks to NetGalley & Iron Circus Comics for this E-ARC!

This story was so unexpected but in a good way! Not only is the artwork phenomenal, but the story actually addresses very serious topics and I couldn't help but feel frustrated when Greer (the FMC) was frustrated and sad when she was sad. I had so many questions when I started reading and I realized this book was like a flower that bloomed the more I kept reading.

I was confused in the beginning of the book because you are just thrown into the story with no warning or explanations, but the more you keep reading, the more you realize why things are the way they are and how sad Greer's life has come to be. It was very inspirational how our main character decided to pursue a better life for herself despite what everyone else was telling her and it was an amazing portrayal of not letting anyone hold you back from living the life you deserve.

[Daryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations in this book were absolutely STUNNING! Color palette and character design were absolutely beautifully done in particular. The story itself was also super interesting, specifically how it explored race, power, and gender dynamics in the 1970s. Seeing Greer begin to embrace her biracial identity more as the story went on was really nice, and I thought the highlight of the book. The dream plot line felt a bit disconnected from the rest of the book, and really, could’ve been cut more to focus on Greer’s childhood, on her relationship with her Mom, Dad, and Stanley, all of which felt really formative to her identity/state in the present but seemed to be pushed to the side for the more abstract Eugenie section of the story.

Overall a super unique and aesthetically incredible story with a very compelling main character that I’d definitely recommend.

[Raven Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read via an online reader copy.
This is the kind of book I hate everything about...yet it is one of the most amazing books I have read. We are getting a slice of life from some really not nice people (including our girl who flew) who are just trying to get out alive. The feeling of the time comes alive, the attitudes and the pain and hurt come out. If you have a trigger, it is probably here. Sometimes things are gratuitous, but also realistic. Relatable and yet, nothing I have seen or read before. Come for the new book, leave with a lot on your plate. And not all is tasty, others the most delicate of delicacies.

[Cindy ✽ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very visually stunning. I adored the art and the color palette. The story was emotional, in more than one way. Greer falls pregnant and is sent to live with people she doesn’t know. These people start making decisions for her. She makes friends with Pablo, the gardener, and starts having vivid dreams of a little girl. I found this story really inspiring, as Greer finds ways to take her power back. The dreams she had fuel her in the story, and I really connected with that. Overall, this is a very powerful graphic novel that deals with multiple themes of love, loss, and beginning again.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC.

[Meggie Ramm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Greer Johnson is twenty-something, pregnant by her boss, and recently relocated to Florida while she brings her child to term. As she navigates living with her new caretakers, she draws and dreams of a little girl named Eugenie.

This book is very prettily drawn, the artist knows their style and uses it to the best effect. The story feels less so to me. Greer feels alone in the world and wanders through the hazy Florida humidity. I agreed with Greer that her caretakers were nuts, but I kept wondering why she didn't run away from them all earlier. A big chonky read with some confusing if beautiful parts.

[Sophy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story follows a young girl who is sent away after discovering she’s expecting. It does a great job of portraying her stress and isolation, especially since those around her offer little support. As if that weren’t enough, she begins having unsettling dreams about a little girl, adding to her anxiety.

The story is compelling and sheds light on the struggles many women have faced—struggles that, unfortunately, still exist today. While it doesn’t seem to be set in modern times, its themes remain relevant. The gritty art style perfectly complements the raw, emotional nature of the story.

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young woman gets knocked up by her obnoxious, very married boss, and he sends her to live with some friends in Key West. She has trouble adapting to the heat and the lifestyle change . . . not to mention the strange woman who heads the household where she's rooming.

This is a slow moving, languid read, but it held my interest.

I also liked the author/artist's limited color palette.

[Zeynep T. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am giving 2 stars mostly for the artwork.

The narrative holds a lot of promise. In the 1970s, a mixed-race young woman finds herself pregnant, and the father is her married boss. She then travels to Florida, but essentially, nothing significant occurs. The character development, pacing of the story, and the themes the writer addresses are all quite disjointed and scattered. There might be a second volume, but I have no interest in it after reading this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and Iron Circus Comics for providing ARC of this graphic novel.

[Sadie-Jane Huff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 130 of 350 ~ 2025

🌟🌟🌟💫

Amazing artwork. Intriguing story.

I received a complimentary copy of the ebook. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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[SummerRae · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I read that the author was inspired by a dream, it made a lot more sense to me because this reads like a dream. It's very disorienting but intriguing at the same time. I couldn't attach myself to the plot, but I felt sympathy for Greer, who was in a tough spot. The art is fantastic. I would say it's decent, but you really need to keep an open mind.

[AnnaRose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully drawn. It is a story with a lot of honesty and tenderness to all of the characters. I like the dreams being woven in.

There was a lot of information I felt like I wanted to know and never did. However, I truly enjoyed this book.

Characters - 4.5 stars
Plot - 3.5 stars
Setting - 4.5 stars
Writing style - 3.5 stars
Ending - 3.25 stars

[Leah Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Breathtaking art and a realistic storyline that will leave you feeling weightless. I loved the variety of colors that changed with the story tense. I felt like Greer, Pablo, and Kate were all real people that had been illustrated. I'd recommend this book to lovers of historical fiction and people who want to feel everything in a story.

[Joana Gabriel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in change for an honest review.

I loved the art of the book, it really built an amazing atmosphere and provided the setting.

The plot was very intriguing, and made me keep reading. The message was important and reflected the lives of many girl of that time, and even nowadays. With that said I was hopping to have more questions about the dreams, instead of just my theories about it 😂

The dreams were definitely my favorite part of the book!

Overall was a great book, and I would read more from the author!!

[Helen Pugsley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so creative. I wanted to understand what the women in my family went through better, so I picked this up.
It's true to life, especially the rich people trying to keep you as a pet. I feel seen.
I'm so glad she got on the Grey Hound in the end.

[alli · Rating 3 out of 5]

while i found this book to be visually stunning, the overall narrative left me a bit confused. i didn’t mind the lack of structure, but it was a bit unclear what the overall takeaway was from the story.

[Jen Hassell]

Beautifully illustrated.