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(re)Pebbling: A Story of Blackness and Curling
(re) A Story of Blackness and Curling is a sharp, stylish, and soul-stirring glide through the unspoken rules of curling.
Intimate reflections from the life of Richard Norman, brought to life by the art of Jon Olbey, set the stage for the chilly welcome racialized players face at the curling rink and the unnerving murmur of lounge talk. This graphic novel cracks open the culture of the sport to ask questions about its future and exposes the challenges clubs face in making their spaces inclusive.
With equal parts insight and irreverence, (re)Pebbling reimagines curling as a site of cultural collision, a space where the house isn’t always a home, and the ice holds stories most haven’t dared to tell. In a visual journey through the world of sport you didn’t know you needed, author Richard Norman honestly reflects on our past, boldly interrogates our present, and dares to imagine what a real future of belonging in sport could look like.
Intimate reflections from the life of Richard Norman, brought to life by the art of Jon Olbey, set the stage for the chilly welcome racialized players face at the curling rink and the unnerving murmur of lounge talk. This graphic novel cracks open the culture of the sport to ask questions about its future and exposes the challenges clubs face in making their spaces inclusive.
With equal parts insight and irreverence, (re)Pebbling reimagines curling as a site of cultural collision, a space where the house isn’t always a home, and the ice holds stories most haven’t dared to tell. In a visual journey through the world of sport you didn’t know you needed, author Richard Norman honestly reflects on our past, boldly interrogates our present, and dares to imagine what a real future of belonging in sport could look like.
- GenresGraphic Novels
224 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 8, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 13, 2026
Yes the author is a very close friend, but I am so awed by how this graphic novel transforms his doctoral research into something urgent and accessible. It is a hopeful and essential text for all of us as we work together toward the future of cultural spaces across Canada/Turtle Island.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Read more graphic novel reviews at The Graphic Library.
While this comic is concentrated on Canada’s racial landscape, the parallels to America’s problems and influence on Canada’s politics makes this an important book for any library in North America. This book deals with some difficult truths and invites readers to examine their own practices, which can be difficult but necessary reflection to undertake. Beautifully illustrated backmatter and additional materials add to the richness of the topics included.
While an important element of the the book, the conversation in the club room, at times, was presented with large chunks of dialogue and portrayed by people without facial features. While this was most likely a conscious decision, this blandness of color palette for the room and attempt to have readers self-insert in the conversation bogged down the narrative for some of these pages. Otherwise, the illustrations were brightly colored and full of interesting details that encourage re-reading.
Sara's Rating: 7/10
Suitability Level: Grades 11-12, Adult
While this comic is concentrated on Canada’s racial landscape, the parallels to America’s problems and influence on Canada’s politics makes this an important book for any library in North America. This book deals with some difficult truths and invites readers to examine their own practices, which can be difficult but necessary reflection to undertake. Beautifully illustrated backmatter and additional materials add to the richness of the topics included.
While an important element of the the book, the conversation in the club room, at times, was presented with large chunks of dialogue and portrayed by people without facial features. While this was most likely a conscious decision, this blandness of color palette for the room and attempt to have readers self-insert in the conversation bogged down the narrative for some of these pages. Otherwise, the illustrations were brightly colored and full of interesting details that encourage re-reading.
Sara's Rating: 7/10
Suitability Level: Grades 11-12, Adult
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews