Wirbelsturm

by Roland Burkart

«Piedro, ich kann es Ihnen nicht anders sagen: Sie werden nie mehr gehen können. Es tut mir leid.»

Der leidenschaftliche Schwimmer Piedro hat sich mit seinem besten Freund Luca zum Schwimmen verabredet. Nach einem Sprung ins Wasser wacht er im Krankenhaus auf, er hat sich die Wirbelsäule gebrochen. Die Diagnose lautet Tetraplegie, Piedro wird weder Arme noch Beine gebrauchen können. Für Piedro beginnt ein völlig neues Leben:
«Aus der Tiefe blickte sie mich an, die Gewissheit, für immer gelähmt zu bleiben. Eine bedrohliche Mischung aus Angst und Ohnmacht begann sich kontinuierlich aufzutürmen, bis ich mich damit abgefunden hatte. Ein langer Prozess.»

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Disability, Memoir

112 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2017

Reviews

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fictionalized graphic memoir by Swiss artist Roland Burkhart, who became quadriplegic from an accident and--though once right-handed--learned to draw with his left hand. Panel-less, black and white, a series of images and cartoons to help us see what it might be like to go through the experience, focused on his psychological struggles and encounters with the medical establishment. And just the practical every day struggles, never giving up oin the hope of a cure.

Part of the great Graphic Mundi series, once named Graphic Medicine, to help people (including the medical/psych) establishment understand from the perspective of first hand stories of those experiencing trauma, in this case paralysis.

[George Ilsley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Every time I watch videos of people trying to do back flips or tricks on the trampoline, I cringe thinking how easy it is for accidents to happen and for that trickster to never walk again. Attempt a jump on a snowboard, and land wrong, or, as in the book, dive into the lake and hit something hard and your life changes forever.

Marked this as both fiction and memoir, since it is a fictionalized story of living with quadriplegia after an accident, which is what the author has experienced. He has some function in his wrists and learned to draw with his left hand after his accident. The drawings are simple, but some of the evocative power derives from this blunt simplicity. The story line jumps around in a non-linear fashion; he talks about learning new skills at the office over four years, and then it has been 10 months since the accident and he is leaving the hospital for the first time.

The experience of coping with the activities of daily living for someone with spinal cord injuries taught this young man patience. We can all do with learning a bit more about embracing patience, and holding a sense of gratitude, and clinging to hope without cultivating bitterness.

[Brianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twister is based on the author's own experiences of being in an accident and finding his life drastically change as a quadriplegic . Burkart regained the ability to draw with his left hand following his accident (he was previously right-handed). Beautiful and moving graphic novel about the struggles of recovery and adapting and accepting a new reality.

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid graphic memoir recounting the events that led to quadriplegia and the recovery process, mental and physical. I learned a lot.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

A striking little graphic novel, by an artist who became quadriplegic in an accident. It's the fictional tale of a man who suffers a severe spinal injury, and is clearly deeply informed by Burkart's own experiences. Simple, short, and effectively structured, with broad-stroke penwork wrought by the function regained in Burkart's left hand.

It's about a half-hour read, including time to reflect on the challenges of creating any form of art after recovering from a catastrophic injury. The emotional impact of massive loss of function, and the physical challenges of rebuilding a life? All are starkly but hopefully presented, in a way that I found both moving and thought provoking.

In a challenging little creative touch from the printer, the spine of the graphic novel was "broken," clearly by design. "Hey," I thought for an instant, before I realized what was going on. "This book is broken." Which it isn't. A cool little Easter Egg.

[S.Matt Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a semi-autobiographical recounting of the author’s accident and subsequent paraplegia. Much of it consists of the little details that make up one’s reality in that situation. The cutting of bread, the clapping of a wheelchair, how you can see someone’s face so clearly…

The author gives a sense of his particular accident and recovery journey. It’s a mix of sad and happy, failure and triumph, and is even funny at times. Glad to have found it.

[Michael Bohli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mit "Wirbelsturm" erzählt Roland Burkart von seinem eigenen Schicksal als Tetraplegiker, jedoch in der Erzählung fiktionalisiert. Ein grafisch überzeugendes und reduziertes Buch, das sich mit Feingefühl der Thematik nähert und nie der Verzweiflung oder Angst zu viel Raum lässt.

[Johnnie Watkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it, panel-less format was interesting. Loved the brush pen linework, really adds to the instability the main character felt. kinda wish it was an actual memoir instead of being inspired by the author’s life

[noraaa🤭 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sehr wichtiges Thema!! Sorgt immer dafür, dass ich dankbarer für meine Gesundheit und meinen funktionierenden Körper bin. Wir dürfen nichts als selbstverständlich sehen, denn für andere bedeutet ein Unfall eine gewaltige Lebensumstellung :/

[Sheri S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Piedro's diving accident leaves him paralyzed from the neck down. The book reflects on how the accident impacts Piedro's life and how he works to overcome his limitations.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book. Although billed as fiction, it is based on the author's life. What a great book!

[Aurora · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit boring. I think I would’ve preferred something that was an actual memoir instead of something fictionalized.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The feeling the author got, being stared at whenever he got on a bus... Terrifying. Seeing as I'm not in a wheelchair, it's tough for me to comment on this book. However, I'm really glad I read it.

[Emma Duncan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful ahh autobiography

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.