Norths

by Alison McCreesh

For six long winter months, Alison McCreesh, her partner Pat and their two year old son Riel, traveled north of the 60th parallel. Through a combination of prolonged stays at artist residencies and short side-trips, they experienced six circumpolar countries: Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia. This book contains Alison's original postcards, which she created daily, exploring not only the "Idea of North," but also illustrating, both through sketches and words, how her family dealt with the uniquely northern issues that they encountered in their circumpolar adventure. Alison's astute and often hilarious insights give an intimate glance into the trials and tribulations of travelling, parenting, working and living in the north. McCreesh's previous book Ramshackle won the NorthWords Best Book Award. (From Conundrum Press)

Genres: Graphic Novels, Nonfiction, Art

400 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2018

About the author

Alison McCreesh is a Canadian fibre artist, cartoonist and illustrator living in Yellowknife.
After graduating from the University of Quebec with a bachelor's degree in Fine Arts in 2009, McCreesh traveled extensively throughout Northern Canada. These travels are often the subject of her illustrations, comics and travelogues.
Alison’s books include the graphic novels Ramshackle: A Yellowknife Story (2015) and Degrees of Separation: a Decade North of 60 (2024).

Reviews

[Derek Royal · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating travelogue. Not really a comic, but a series of postcards — literally — that tell the tale of McCreesh and her family’s circumpolar journey, along with the four residencies she lined up. Still, there’s a sequential nature to the illustrations (McCreesh’s hand-drawn postcard fronts) that are, perhaps, a second cousin to comics. Regardless, her and her family’s journey is definitely engaging.

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous book. Brought back lots of memories of Finland and Iceland especially. Her watercolour painting is impressive and inspiring. There was a trend of travel organizing mishaps that reoccur throughout the book that made me laugh (and shake my head haha) but they made it through! I vividly remember my first and last trip to the Finnish post office, which was equally perplexing. Loved this book and the memories it brought back to me about my time in the 'Norths'.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this fascinating! I liked McCreesh’s previous book about moving to and living in Yellowknife but was even more intrigued at the end when she mentioned having a baby. Her trek north of 60 deg latitude was intriguing enough, but the work and toddler added was so interesting. The art was so pretty too.

[Émilie M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved loved loved it. Beautiful concept, art, trip. Most of all, it’s « real » and generous. So glad i picked it up in Yellowknife bookstore!

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up on a whim (actually my son found it first I think) during a visit to the TPL. I wanted a different kind of read. This was a very cool way to write a book, through a series of postcards which followed a family north of the 60th parallel. Part travel blog, part art book it was a really interesting way to travel! I must admit I did get a bit annoyed with the author as she complained about the weather an awful lot and seemed quite unprepared for many aspects of the trip. However, the drawings for the most part were very well done and the prose gave some interesting insights into both travel and the stress of temporarily living as strangers in a variety of communities.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book of down-to-earth postcards was a fun and entertaining read. As an artist and mother, I could relate to some of the challenges Alison encountered. I also felt inspired to paint and send postcards to friends after reading this.

[Nikki · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did not finish. I was disappointed in this book. The illustrations were lackluster and the postcard messages sometimes interesting, mostly not. I thought the idea of the trip and helping pay for it by asking friends to give her money and she would send them cards… sounded good. But either the artist or the printing process did not convey much excitement to me….

[Comics Alternative · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://comicsalternative.com/comics-a...

[Andréa]

Note: I received a finished copy of this book from the publisher at ALA Annual 2019.

[Hernan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by Allison. Her drawings are amazing, but the book is more than just that. She does a great job at letting you observe what she was seeing over this very long trip too.

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this! Beautiful line work and water color, a great, fun travelogue!

[Nevena · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice reminder to go outside and spend time with people I love.

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

What was the fate of the lost package?!?

[Philippa Rice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't think there's any other book quite like this one. It really gives you the experience of travel and life with a baby.