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One Line (3)
From Eisner Award nominee, Ray Fawkes, comes ONE LINE, the third book in the ambitious, intricately constructed One Soul series.
As One Soul followed eighteen people from birth until death, showcasing their common joys and pains as well as their unique experiences, One Line follows eighteen families through four centuries, showing how traditions, ethics, and prejudices are handed down from generation to generation. Some families will interact, some will join together, some will remain alone. Some will persist, and some will die out.
As One Soul followed eighteen people from birth until death, showcasing their common joys and pains as well as their unique experiences, One Line follows eighteen families through four centuries, showing how traditions, ethics, and prejudices are handed down from generation to generation. Some families will interact, some will join together, some will remain alone. Some will persist, and some will die out.
184 pages, Hardcover
Published July 20, 2021
1 person is currently reading
36 people want to read
About the author
Ray Fawkes
460 books85 followersRay Fawkes is the critically-acclaimed author of the comics and graphic novels Underwinter, Intersect, One Soul, The People Inside, The Spectral Engine, Possessions, and Junction True, as well as Batman: Eternal, Constantine, Justice League Dark, and Gotham by Midnight (DC), Wolverines (Marvel), Black Hammer '45 (Dark Horse), Jackpot! (AfterShock) and more. He is an Eisner, Harvey, and Shuster award nominee and a YALSA award winner.
Ray has been making comics for over 20 years, starting with and continuing the tradition of DIY fiction as well as working for many major comics publishers in the U.S. and Canada.
Ray has been making comics for over 20 years, starting with and continuing the tradition of DIY fiction as well as working for many major comics publishers in the U.S. and Canada.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
May 29, 2021
This book unfortunately didn't work for me. This graphic novel feels like poetry but as it follows so many families it was hard for me to understand or get attached to any of the characters. The concept was unique but the execution was poor and felt overwhelming to read. It takes a lot of time to get into the story. Also I wasn't a big fan of the illustrations as well.
July 22, 2022
Extraordinary. I picked this up at the library and went into the story blind. It took me a minute to figure out the structure and realize each of the 18 panels on each spread followed one character through each of the book’s six parts. As the book progresses we see either the story of the next generation in the line or a black panel where the line has ended. I really enjoyed each of the plot lines, seeing how some intersected, and seeing the abruptness to how some ended, which struck me as true to the arbitrary nature of luck and how we justify or feel guilt or rage over the specific privilege (or lack of) we are each born into. I felt real sadness at the way some of the lines ended, but I most enjoyed getting such a zoomed out look at several generations—four centuries worth!—in a way that creates perspective of both how short life is but also, ultimately, how unoriginal our lives can be. For all our Western desperation to live uniquely, to claim a singular identity, we’re all ultimately repeating everyone around us in the most mundane ways. And we will all be forgotten, given enough time. I really loved this one.
July 1, 2021
Thank you NetGalley and Oni Press for this ARC.
This was my first Ray Fawkes novel and I was very curious to see what he could do. The graphic side of this novel is quite good and a nice to look at and go through.
It feels a lot like poetry in the beginning and the interconnectivity of the stories is a intriguing and a bit hard to follow though you can easily see that exactly that interconnectivity talks more about as humans and our big story on Earth.
All in all is a good book but not exactly my cup of tea when it comes to graphic novels and graphic stories.
This was my first Ray Fawkes novel and I was very curious to see what he could do. The graphic side of this novel is quite good and a nice to look at and go through.
It feels a lot like poetry in the beginning and the interconnectivity of the stories is a intriguing and a bit hard to follow though you can easily see that exactly that interconnectivity talks more about as humans and our big story on Earth.
All in all is a good book but not exactly my cup of tea when it comes to graphic novels and graphic stories.
September 7, 2021
Don't read this on a tablet (e.g. via HOOPLA) as Fawkes's technique of having multiple plotlines conveyed simultaneously through only one panel per page with others on the same page is almost impossible to follow one page at a time.
I immensely enjoyed Fawkes' two other books using this device were highly innovative and engaging. But I find the experimentation with this technique has run its course and its time to move on .
I immensely enjoyed Fawkes' two other books using this device were highly innovative and engaging. But I find the experimentation with this technique has run its course and its time to move on .
April 2, 2021
3 stars
This uniquely structured graphic novel follows 18 families from cultures all over the world from the 18th C to the present, ambitiously tracing love, war, revolution, natural disaster, parenting, & death. As each family line comes to an end their panel is distinguished, the remaining story lines growing tighter as the novel progresses.
[What I liked:]
•I really like multigenerational family sagas, which is what attracted me to this story. It was fun to follow the different stories & see how the children understood their parents’ lives & choices, & how the past shapes the future.
•Even though the story depicts many varied life experiences, the “basic” human experiences really shine through: family, love, sorrow, looking for meaning. It also shows how no two people react the same—some find comfort in religion or money or children; some hold onto hope, others seek honor or revenge.
[What I didn’t like as much:]
•This novel covers so much ground in under 200 pages so I shouldn’t expect much nuance, but as a non-expert I did wonder how accurate the depiction of Native American, aboriginal, & other marginalized cultures was in this book.
•It took me awhile to get used to the pacing, & be able to distinguish all the different storylines I was following. I just had to be patient, & once I was accustomed it wasn’t too frustrating anymore.
•For the length, this novel packs in a lot of content & points of view. It gave me lots to consider once I finished reading, yet I still sort of wish there had been a bit more of a cohesive narrative, some sort of overarching meaning or question to grab onto.
CW: murder, suicide, genocide, slavery, racism, misogyny, domestic violence
[I received an ARC ebook copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Thank you for the book!]
This uniquely structured graphic novel follows 18 families from cultures all over the world from the 18th C to the present, ambitiously tracing love, war, revolution, natural disaster, parenting, & death. As each family line comes to an end their panel is distinguished, the remaining story lines growing tighter as the novel progresses.
[What I liked:]
•I really like multigenerational family sagas, which is what attracted me to this story. It was fun to follow the different stories & see how the children understood their parents’ lives & choices, & how the past shapes the future.
•Even though the story depicts many varied life experiences, the “basic” human experiences really shine through: family, love, sorrow, looking for meaning. It also shows how no two people react the same—some find comfort in religion or money or children; some hold onto hope, others seek honor or revenge.
[What I didn’t like as much:]
•This novel covers so much ground in under 200 pages so I shouldn’t expect much nuance, but as a non-expert I did wonder how accurate the depiction of Native American, aboriginal, & other marginalized cultures was in this book.
•It took me awhile to get used to the pacing, & be able to distinguish all the different storylines I was following. I just had to be patient, & once I was accustomed it wasn’t too frustrating anymore.
•For the length, this novel packs in a lot of content & points of view. It gave me lots to consider once I finished reading, yet I still sort of wish there had been a bit more of a cohesive narrative, some sort of overarching meaning or question to grab onto.
CW: murder, suicide, genocide, slavery, racism, misogyny, domestic violence
[I received an ARC ebook copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Thank you for the book!]
April 14, 2021
ARC Provided by NetGalley
*2.5
This graphic novel is very ambitious and the structure creates interesting and artful connections between the panels. As well, following the characters through generations, from very different backgrounds, and through varying walks of life is both the stories greatest strength and weakness. There is great satisfaction when the different characters lives weave in and out of each other, but there is just so many of them that it is hard to truly follow each and every one. I found myself engaging greatly with certain storylines and falling off with others, having to flip back pages to remember who/where they were. At times it was a relief for characters to die off and end their line simply because it was one less person to remember. That said, the last few sections were very gripping as only a few characters remain, and you feel very invested in the ways in which so much generational struggle has shaped their lives.
*2.5
This graphic novel is very ambitious and the structure creates interesting and artful connections between the panels. As well, following the characters through generations, from very different backgrounds, and through varying walks of life is both the stories greatest strength and weakness. There is great satisfaction when the different characters lives weave in and out of each other, but there is just so many of them that it is hard to truly follow each and every one. I found myself engaging greatly with certain storylines and falling off with others, having to flip back pages to remember who/where they were. At times it was a relief for characters to die off and end their line simply because it was one less person to remember. That said, the last few sections were very gripping as only a few characters remain, and you feel very invested in the ways in which so much generational struggle has shaped their lives.
July 23, 2021
My Rating: 4 stars
Ray Fawkes’ One Line has to be the most unique graphic novel I have ever read. It follows 18 different people and their bloodlines through four centuries. This graphic novel forces us to ask “do we inherit the sins of the father?” And does that include their trauma, their responsibility, and their teachings?
What you need to know before reading:
1) Do not read the e-version. You need the physical copy for an easier reading experience. It is structured as a double-page spread with 18 total panels — 9 per page. The placement of each panel corresponds to one family line. That panel tells the story of only that family. If that character has children his/her panel continues past their death. However, if their ancestral line is broken, the panel is blacked out when the last living member of that family dies.
2) It's broken up into seven parts, each following a different generation (more or less). This means that there is a bit of an adjustment period with each part because you now have to remember a new cast of characters that you have to then associate with the previous cast of characters. I found myself confused during these transitions and had to flip back a few times. I recommend going back if you are confused instead of pushing forward because you will only get more lost and because you will get much more out of the story if you can follow along with each generation. Take your time with it.
What I loved:
1) I loved that reoccurring symbols (like roses, poems, and tall grass) tied each generation together.
2) I loved that some of the interconnections between families allowed us to view the same situation from two very different perspectives.
3) And, I loved the how the theme of inhering your past ties in with the philosophy of past and future. The story did a great job of showing how religion, culture, anger, passion, vocation, character, and temperament are often carried over from your parents who modeled those values and behavior. In particular, how generational trauma is passed down to children and the effects it has on future generations.
What I would have loved to see:
1) A list of characters and a map of where they are located. This would have been a very useful visual reference tool to have at the beginning of the book when I was most confused. Perhaps even drawings of the 18 different family trees.
2) A longer story. Following 18 different family lines is difficult to do in only 183 pages. I found some characters were memorable but others felt less developed and thus harder to remember.
3) The first section was the most difficult to read because we hit the ground running. I would have liked a bit more back story to each character to help me remember them better before jumping straight into their 18 different stories.
In Sum:
1) This graphic novel is an ambitious project that takes a while to get used to but is worth the effort.
2) It is difficult to keep track of all the characters, especially after each generation, so read slowly and give yourself permission to flip back as needed.
3) If you enjoy graphic novels with strong symbolism and philosophical elements then this one may be for you.
Happy reading!
Thank you to Netgalley and Oni Press for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Ray Fawkes’ One Line has to be the most unique graphic novel I have ever read. It follows 18 different people and their bloodlines through four centuries. This graphic novel forces us to ask “do we inherit the sins of the father?” And does that include their trauma, their responsibility, and their teachings?
What you need to know before reading:
1) Do not read the e-version. You need the physical copy for an easier reading experience. It is structured as a double-page spread with 18 total panels — 9 per page. The placement of each panel corresponds to one family line. That panel tells the story of only that family. If that character has children his/her panel continues past their death. However, if their ancestral line is broken, the panel is blacked out when the last living member of that family dies.
2) It's broken up into seven parts, each following a different generation (more or less). This means that there is a bit of an adjustment period with each part because you now have to remember a new cast of characters that you have to then associate with the previous cast of characters. I found myself confused during these transitions and had to flip back a few times. I recommend going back if you are confused instead of pushing forward because you will only get more lost and because you will get much more out of the story if you can follow along with each generation. Take your time with it.
What I loved:
1) I loved that reoccurring symbols (like roses, poems, and tall grass) tied each generation together.
2) I loved that some of the interconnections between families allowed us to view the same situation from two very different perspectives.
3) And, I loved the how the theme of inhering your past ties in with the philosophy of past and future. The story did a great job of showing how religion, culture, anger, passion, vocation, character, and temperament are often carried over from your parents who modeled those values and behavior. In particular, how generational trauma is passed down to children and the effects it has on future generations.
What I would have loved to see:
1) A list of characters and a map of where they are located. This would have been a very useful visual reference tool to have at the beginning of the book when I was most confused. Perhaps even drawings of the 18 different family trees.
2) A longer story. Following 18 different family lines is difficult to do in only 183 pages. I found some characters were memorable but others felt less developed and thus harder to remember.
3) The first section was the most difficult to read because we hit the ground running. I would have liked a bit more back story to each character to help me remember them better before jumping straight into their 18 different stories.
In Sum:
1) This graphic novel is an ambitious project that takes a while to get used to but is worth the effort.
2) It is difficult to keep track of all the characters, especially after each generation, so read slowly and give yourself permission to flip back as needed.
3) If you enjoy graphic novels with strong symbolism and philosophical elements then this one may be for you.
Happy reading!
Thank you to Netgalley and Oni Press for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
May 31, 2021
**Disclaimer: I received a free early access copy of One Line by Ray Fawkes in exchange for an honest review through NetGalley. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this opportunity.
One Line by Ray Fawkes is a graphic novel that follows 18 families through to the end of their line. It is set to be published on July 20th, 2021. I rated it 3 stars on Goodreads.
Here's the summary from Goodreads:
From Eisner Award nominee, Ray Fawkes, comes ONE LINE, the third book in the ambitious, intricately constructed One Soul series.
As One Soul followed eighteen people from birth until death, showcasing their common joys and pains as well as their unique experiences, One Line follows eighteen families through four centuries, showing how traditions, ethics, and prejudices are handed down from generation to generation. Some families will interact, some will join together, some will remain alone. Some will persist, and some will die out.
The summary is what drew me into this story, and I found myself really intrigued. I wanted to know how a graphic novel would be able to tell that many stories in such a condensed format. It's sometimes tricky to tell even one story, so 18 seemed like an impressive amount.
I will say that I was impressed with the story and the way it was told. I really liked the art and how there were just a few words included on each page. I also really liked the way that there were parallels in some of the stories and how lines repeated between stories and how sometimes they were changed slightly by the story's context but overall went together.
However, I will admit that I found it confusing. Initially it was hard to tell which story was which and it something that would probably improve upon several re-reads. It was hard to keep track between generations as well, which just added to my confusion.
Overall, I'd definitely say it's worth checking out, but I just didn't love it as much as I wanted to.
One Line by Ray Fawkes is a graphic novel that follows 18 families through to the end of their line. It is set to be published on July 20th, 2021. I rated it 3 stars on Goodreads.
Here's the summary from Goodreads:
From Eisner Award nominee, Ray Fawkes, comes ONE LINE, the third book in the ambitious, intricately constructed One Soul series.
As One Soul followed eighteen people from birth until death, showcasing their common joys and pains as well as their unique experiences, One Line follows eighteen families through four centuries, showing how traditions, ethics, and prejudices are handed down from generation to generation. Some families will interact, some will join together, some will remain alone. Some will persist, and some will die out.
The summary is what drew me into this story, and I found myself really intrigued. I wanted to know how a graphic novel would be able to tell that many stories in such a condensed format. It's sometimes tricky to tell even one story, so 18 seemed like an impressive amount.
I will say that I was impressed with the story and the way it was told. I really liked the art and how there were just a few words included on each page. I also really liked the way that there were parallels in some of the stories and how lines repeated between stories and how sometimes they were changed slightly by the story's context but overall went together.
However, I will admit that I found it confusing. Initially it was hard to tell which story was which and it something that would probably improve upon several re-reads. It was hard to keep track between generations as well, which just added to my confusion.
Overall, I'd definitely say it's worth checking out, but I just didn't love it as much as I wanted to.
December 12, 2022
An ambitious, multi-century, multi-family saga that follows many plot lines alternating panels. It takes a while to get absorbed into the stories due to this structure, but I did find myself captivated. The parallels in lived human experiences are drawn out, which is one of the main purposes of this structure. The human struggle seems universal, though it's hard not to take away lessons like "nothing is fair" and "humans are cruel" when the entire book is considered in the end. The diversity of families represented in the book is on purpose, I am sure, but feels a bit forced, and makes me want to learn more about the research the author did to come up with the stories of the minorities and other cultures included in here. The art is minimal, often with a character standing with something that symbolizes what they are talking about. There's little dialog or action, but a lot of things happen. This type of narrated action, no doubt necessitated by the fact that so many stories have to fit in a book this size, puts a certain distance that makes even the most heart-wrenching, catastrophic events seem less significant. Perhaps this distance is necessary, as so many devastating things happening on almost every page would be otherwise exhausting, or, on the other hand, if given room, and paced out, it would be OK (but would be a much longer, many-volume work). The fact that there are so many threads also precludes spending time in one story for too long, as the reader might forget what's happening in the other storylines. Recommended for those who like family sagas and historical fiction.
July 29, 2021
Gigantic thanks to Oni Press and Netgalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I will start with this disclaimer; this is not a graphic novel that you can rush through but must be processed and read slowly. This graphic novel follows 18 (yes, 18) families as their stories are told throughout four generations. The author uses mostly pictures to describe what is happening and it takes careful concentration from the reader to not get lost. If you want a quick easy read, I would navigate to a different story. However, as a writer, I applaud the author for what they did with this story. This was a huge undertaking, and I am sure writing it took a ton of research, hours, tears, sweat and caffeine to execute this story. I would never take on this big of a project in one go, but this author not only wrote a story, but then illustrated it as well. Wow. This story was heartbreaking, eye opening and brought a new perspective for what is happening in our world across generations.
Overall, as a reader, I gave this story 3 stars because of how difficult it was to navigate and read. As a writer and artist, I gave this story 4.5 out 5 stars. Both these ratings round out to 4.8 stars. Well done, Ray, well done.
I will start with this disclaimer; this is not a graphic novel that you can rush through but must be processed and read slowly. This graphic novel follows 18 (yes, 18) families as their stories are told throughout four generations. The author uses mostly pictures to describe what is happening and it takes careful concentration from the reader to not get lost. If you want a quick easy read, I would navigate to a different story. However, as a writer, I applaud the author for what they did with this story. This was a huge undertaking, and I am sure writing it took a ton of research, hours, tears, sweat and caffeine to execute this story. I would never take on this big of a project in one go, but this author not only wrote a story, but then illustrated it as well. Wow. This story was heartbreaking, eye opening and brought a new perspective for what is happening in our world across generations.
Overall, as a reader, I gave this story 3 stars because of how difficult it was to navigate and read. As a writer and artist, I gave this story 4.5 out 5 stars. Both these ratings round out to 4.8 stars. Well done, Ray, well done.
August 22, 2021
This is a unique graphic novel that follows eighteen family lines over four generations using two-page spreads of nine panels each. It's a little confusing at first, especially if you, like me, haven't read Fawkes' previous book "One Soul," which is formatted in the same way and follows eighteen people's lives from birth to death. In each spread, each family line gets one square that shows their progress through their lives, sometimes intertwining with other families' lives. We see scenes of good fortune and bad, births and deaths, love and hate, all told eloquently in spare black and white with minimal text. When a family line ends, that panel is left black for the remaining pages, until we come to the end.
I enjoyed this graphic novel quite a bit, though I can tell it won't be everyone's jam. It helps to read through a second time after finishing, I found I noticed more the second time through. The art is deceptively simple, but so much of the story is told through the illustrations, through the expressions, the small details, the action. This is a good read for when you want something meditative.
#OneLine #NetGalley
I enjoyed this graphic novel quite a bit, though I can tell it won't be everyone's jam. It helps to read through a second time after finishing, I found I noticed more the second time through. The art is deceptively simple, but so much of the story is told through the illustrations, through the expressions, the small details, the action. This is a good read for when you want something meditative.
#OneLine #NetGalley
May 18, 2021
2.5 stars!
This graphic novel is extremely ambitious as it follows 18 different families from all over the world over the span of multiple generations. As each familial line dies out, the corresponding panel blackens for the rest of the novel. I absolutely love this concept and the execution was really well done. I just didn't connect with the characters as much as I would have wanted to and I felt the novel attempted to cover too much in a very short time (200-ish pages). It also took me half the book just to get used to the pacing and remember who was who. If maybe half as many families were shown, but they were given more depth and detail I would have appreciated each more thoroughly. Overall though, it's an incredibly poetic and unique way of storytelling and I really appreciate it for that.
Thank you to NetGalley and Oni Press for an eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This graphic novel is extremely ambitious as it follows 18 different families from all over the world over the span of multiple generations. As each familial line dies out, the corresponding panel blackens for the rest of the novel. I absolutely love this concept and the execution was really well done. I just didn't connect with the characters as much as I would have wanted to and I felt the novel attempted to cover too much in a very short time (200-ish pages). It also took me half the book just to get used to the pacing and remember who was who. If maybe half as many families were shown, but they were given more depth and detail I would have appreciated each more thoroughly. Overall though, it's an incredibly poetic and unique way of storytelling and I really appreciate it for that.
Thank you to NetGalley and Oni Press for an eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 8, 2021
'One Line' with story and art by Ray Fawkes is an unusual idea that works very well as a graphic novel.
Using the 18 frames of a double page, this graphic novel follows the lives of 18 people and their families over 4 centuries, frame by frame. Each frame switches to a different person and a different perspective. We see things passed down from generation to generation. Things like honor, tradition, and even thing like prejudice. As timelines end, those panels become dark.
This was a really amazing story, and seemed to be really well planned. The art is fairly simplified, but the complexity lies in the way lives cross paths. This was a very thought provoking read.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Oni Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
Using the 18 frames of a double page, this graphic novel follows the lives of 18 people and their families over 4 centuries, frame by frame. Each frame switches to a different person and a different perspective. We see things passed down from generation to generation. Things like honor, tradition, and even thing like prejudice. As timelines end, those panels become dark.
This was a really amazing story, and seemed to be really well planned. The art is fairly simplified, but the complexity lies in the way lives cross paths. This was a very thought provoking read.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Oni Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
March 17, 2022
Always on the hunt for decent graphic novels. Somehow, for some reason, 98% of graphic novels are in fact, graphic. We call them "nudey" books. If I can find some without little nudey people, I'll likely buy them for my kid(s).
Good ones:
-Zita the Space Girl
-Compass South
-Nameless City
-Amulet Series
Anyways, this one surprised me. Each page has 18 panels. Each panel is an individual character/story that continues in the matching panel on the next page. At first I tried to read it linearly and almost tossed it away.
The book is broken into sections based on generations. A few of the stories intersect, but if the family line goes out, the box goes black.
Interesting. Novel. A little bit cumbersome.
Generally tracks the themes of the consequences of wealth ill-gained, revenge, etc...
Good ones:
-Zita the Space Girl
-Compass South
-Nameless City
-Amulet Series
Anyways, this one surprised me. Each page has 18 panels. Each panel is an individual character/story that continues in the matching panel on the next page. At first I tried to read it linearly and almost tossed it away.
The book is broken into sections based on generations. A few of the stories intersect, but if the family line goes out, the box goes black.
Interesting. Novel. A little bit cumbersome.
Generally tracks the themes of the consequences of wealth ill-gained, revenge, etc...
February 19, 2025
One of those serendipitous things where you just happen to order a book from the library because you want something a bit shorter to read and end up getting a book that makes you rethink everything that is possible in the world of book writing.
I realized right away that the concurrent story lines were meant to show similarities in humanity around the world. We’re really all the same but our leaders try to create enmity so we’ll buy into wars with other nations. The real genius of the author’s idea was that he was simultaneously able to show what happened to these individuals and their families through time. It’s heartbreaking, heartwarming, unique, and worth the work you have to put into it (which for me was just flipping back and forth through pages a lot.
This was the first I’ve heard of this author and a great reminder to just jump in sometimes and try something different.
I realized right away that the concurrent story lines were meant to show similarities in humanity around the world. We’re really all the same but our leaders try to create enmity so we’ll buy into wars with other nations. The real genius of the author’s idea was that he was simultaneously able to show what happened to these individuals and their families through time. It’s heartbreaking, heartwarming, unique, and worth the work you have to put into it (which for me was just flipping back and forth through pages a lot.
This was the first I’ve heard of this author and a great reminder to just jump in sometimes and try something different.
June 17, 2021
I had never read another book by Ray Fawkes but was intrigued by the idea of multiple family stories told in such a unique way. However when I first started to read it I didn't quite know the set up and didn't pay enough attention to discern every family. I was able to remember a couple of specific story lines and was delighted when they started intertwining. It was a really clever way that he showed the end of some family lines. With some of the story lines I really wish there was a way to know what history he was telling as I wanted to research more. Overall a fascinating read, told in a new and interesting way, just a little hard to pick up on.
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for a free advance copy for my unbiased opinion.
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for a free advance copy for my unbiased opinion.
April 1, 2021
I thank NetGalley for giving me the ARC for this title.
I went in reading this, not having read the One Soul or The People Inside. This book was captivating. I actually reread the book after fully understanding the format chosen. For this title, I know it will be a great reading experience with the physical copy.
This story starts with Eighteen families, which you get to watch over a number of years grow and prosper. Some of these stories interconnect in unexpected ways, but I can assure the author put a lot of though into each character and their story. I will also note that Ray Fawkes is a Canadian Author and I can’t wait to read the other two titles in this series.
I went in reading this, not having read the One Soul or The People Inside. This book was captivating. I actually reread the book after fully understanding the format chosen. For this title, I know it will be a great reading experience with the physical copy.
This story starts with Eighteen families, which you get to watch over a number of years grow and prosper. Some of these stories interconnect in unexpected ways, but I can assure the author put a lot of though into each character and their story. I will also note that Ray Fawkes is a Canadian Author and I can’t wait to read the other two titles in this series.
April 22, 2025
One Line by Ray Fawkes is really different from anything I’ve read before. I was recommended it by one of my friends and I was skeptical at first but it’s actually really interesting. The whole story is told with just one continuous line, which sounds weird at first and well it was, at the start of it I was quite confused, but it actually works and looks super cool. Its not a straightforward story, but it makes you think. I liked how emotional it felt even without a ton of words. It’s not exactly an easy read, but the message is there. I wouldn’t recommend it to someone who just wants a chill comic, but if you like artsy stuff with a deeper message, it’s worth checking out.
June 10, 2021
One Line will inspire you to live life more. Tracing the lines of a few families until they ultimately end is an emotional journey. This comic or graphic narrative is extremely poetic, and can be hard to follow at times, but the result is always the same. We are born. Bad things happen. Love happens in the midst of evil. We die. The cycle repeats. Some of us are just more fortunate in the circumstances of the life we were born into. Fawkes has reminded me that human connection will usually prevail.
Thank you Oni Press and NetGalley for the advanced reader's copy!
Thank you Oni Press and NetGalley for the advanced reader's copy!
April 8, 2024
I met a little boy who was living with his grandmother because his father had hit him and his mother. In one of his drawings, he explained to me that the elements of the drawing were all connected; he had drawn people, chickens, mangoes, and us, all using one uninterrupted line. He called that drawing “The Rope of Everything.”
I couldn’t stop thinking about that. Fifteen years later, I discovered this beautiful book that I didn’t understand at first. I forced myself to keep reading, and then, boom—what a masterpiece. I needed to read it twice and pay close attention.
I couldn’t stop thinking about that. Fifteen years later, I discovered this beautiful book that I didn’t understand at first. I forced myself to keep reading, and then, boom—what a masterpiece. I needed to read it twice and pay close attention.
December 16, 2021
The concept of this book intrigued me, even if the execution of the drawings seemed uneven and the structure initially baffling. It may have helped to have had distinctive frames around the panels of the respective inter-generational storylines to help the reader navigate the book. Seeing the drama play out from family to family, generation to generation, and even between storylines, illustrated the universal truth of our human condition — and conditioning.
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April 2, 2022I can't fairly rate this one. Interesting experiment, with 2 pages of 18 panels, each outlining the life story (and, after flipping forward, it seems like generations, even), but I just couldn't keep up with the different panels, once I figured out what was going on. True, later in the book, many of the panels are black because the protagonist dies, but, it was just annoying to read. Also, mostly depressing. So I DNF about 1/3 of the way through.
June 27, 2021
I liked several aspects of this book. I liked the story lines, the characters, and the ingenuity and novelty of the book. The only thing I didn't like is the inappropriate panels.
It was a little challenging to read. I should have read it with the pages side by side. That might have made it easier. I recommend doing that if you decide to 'pick up' the digital version.
The book is set across a few centuries back, moving forward. I didn't like the historical aspect of the book. I liked the contemporary ending best.
It was a little challenging to read. I should have read it with the pages side by side. That might have made it easier. I recommend doing that if you decide to 'pick up' the digital version.
The book is set across a few centuries back, moving forward. I didn't like the historical aspect of the book. I liked the contemporary ending best.
June 30, 2022
One line tells the story of 18 different people across generations. As other reviewers have stated, the format takes some getting used to, that's why I highly suggest getting a physical copy. The stories are beautiful, showing humanity as it is, happy, sad, angry, greedy, ambitious and hopeful. Definitely one of my favorite comics!
Thank you NetGalley and Oni Press for this ARC.
Thank you NetGalley and Oni Press for this ARC.
June 7, 2021
“One Line” written and illustrated by Ray Fawkes is a truly unique human/ anthropologic / experimental comic. This is the type you want to think about and hold in your hand, and try to read differently, going back and forth between the pages, testing out how far the comic medium can be stretched.
June 10, 2021
The drawings are striking, and the words almost poetic. But it also feels chaotic and underdeveloped. I found myself having to flip back and forth between pages to reestablish the individual stories. This unique structure is better suited as a physical book.
June 19, 2021
at times beautiful and poetic, at others unclear and complex.
"Here we begin, in the city of Vienna, home to misfortune and lament"
- to lament("sudern") is definitely our favourite pastime.
"Here we begin, in the city of Vienna, home to misfortune and lament"
- to lament("sudern") is definitely our favourite pastime.
February 28, 2023
This feels like a refinement of One Soul, incorporating a couple of techniques that Fawkes' debuted in The People Inside. This one might be my favorite of the three.
April 14, 2021
This is book 3 in the Soul Series. It follows 18 families through 400 years showing how traditions, ethics, and prejudices are handed down through generations.
The art is very simple, but there is a lot of dialogue and anything else would make the book hard to read. I tried reading the book before reading the synopsis, but I was confused. So I did some research and tried reading it again. I was still pretty confused.
There were these cool pages that had blacked out panels, but I could't figure out what they meant. I wonder if I needed to read the other books to completely understand this one.
3 stars
The art is very simple, but there is a lot of dialogue and anything else would make the book hard to read. I tried reading the book before reading the synopsis, but I was confused. So I did some research and tried reading it again. I was still pretty confused.
There were these cool pages that had blacked out panels, but I could't figure out what they meant. I wonder if I needed to read the other books to completely understand this one.
3 stars
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May 1, 2021I know Ray Fawkes best for the gorgeous watercolours and fragile veil of reality in his Underwinter books, which – ambition aside – have almost nothing in common with this. A sequel of sorts to two books I've not read, One Line is told instead in plain, firm, black and white on nine-panel grids, and follows 18 families down history (and across geography) as they prosper, suffer, intertwine or die out. The closest comparison I can think of is Richard McGuire's Here, but where that held a fixed camera on one spot back and forth in time, the effect here is more an Ozymandias-style bank of TV screens showing eyes on the chosen dynasties. One where I didn't really get the full benefit, because the Netgalley ARC is laid out as single pages, rather than the double-page spreads as which it's designed – though if nothing else, I now know that if I read the previous volumes, I should go for physical copies.
The story is told chronologically, but I think – though I could be wrong, and it's definitely something which would repay a reread – that they're not all running at the same speed, at least not initially. The sheer scale, and the constant flicking between strands within each grid, mean that especially at first, the effect is vertiginous. But as the reader starts to adjust to the method and the players, it becomes easier to settle into – though for me at least, still too much to read in more than short bursts without overloading. Sometimes what's happening in adjacent panels, or even across a whole page, will have close parallels – elsewhere shocking contrasts, especially when we see two strands connect in one encounter. And at other times they seem as unaware of each other as we all are of most of the billions of other people out there. I wonder if Fawkes had recently done one of those ancestry DNA tests before embarking on this? Because to me it felt a lot like the answers people want and so seldom get from those, with their bare numbers and vague gestures at continents. Here, instead, is an overwhelming download of a family history stretching back centuries, snapshots of good times, bad times and above all lost time. It's a lot. As it nears the present, more and more panels are blacked out, the betrayals and atrocities multiply, and one increasingly feels it's for the best that humanity seems bent on ending itself, even if it is a shame about all the collateral damage it's doing on the way out. The final section attempts to counteract that by breaking the rigid grid (spoiler? Maybe, but I'm not sure it's possible to read a comic done on a nine-panel grid anymore without assuming that's going to happen sooner or later) and finding a moment of connection which makes it all worthwhile. Which...I don't think it's badly done, per se, it's just that I'm reading it in the 2020s, so I find hopeful resolutions almost impossible to take as anything other than sappy cop-out.
The story is told chronologically, but I think – though I could be wrong, and it's definitely something which would repay a reread – that they're not all running at the same speed, at least not initially. The sheer scale, and the constant flicking between strands within each grid, mean that especially at first, the effect is vertiginous. But as the reader starts to adjust to the method and the players, it becomes easier to settle into – though for me at least, still too much to read in more than short bursts without overloading. Sometimes what's happening in adjacent panels, or even across a whole page, will have close parallels – elsewhere shocking contrasts, especially when we see two strands connect in one encounter. And at other times they seem as unaware of each other as we all are of most of the billions of other people out there. I wonder if Fawkes had recently done one of those ancestry DNA tests before embarking on this? Because to me it felt a lot like the answers people want and so seldom get from those, with their bare numbers and vague gestures at continents. Here, instead, is an overwhelming download of a family history stretching back centuries, snapshots of good times, bad times and above all lost time. It's a lot. As it nears the present, more and more panels are blacked out, the betrayals and atrocities multiply, and one increasingly feels it's for the best that humanity seems bent on ending itself, even if it is a shame about all the collateral damage it's doing on the way out. The final section attempts to counteract that by breaking the rigid grid (spoiler? Maybe, but I'm not sure it's possible to read a comic done on a nine-panel grid anymore without assuming that's going to happen sooner or later) and finding a moment of connection which makes it all worthwhile. Which...I don't think it's badly done, per se, it's just that I'm reading it in the 2020s, so I find hopeful resolutions almost impossible to take as anything other than sappy cop-out.
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