In the Year of the Virus

by Felix Cheong, Eko (Jia He Yi) (Illustrator)

In the Year of the Virus is an innovative graphic comic book inspired by the Covid-19 pandemic. The story revolves around several characters affected — and infected —- by the viral outbreak. The text by award-winning writer Felix Cheong, adapted beautifully by artist Eko, examines our humanity as our lives are upended and ended.

This is a ground-breaking work that marries text with artwork and aptly captures the wild swings of emotion we all felt after the pandemic hit and the lockdown began.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Poetry, Comics, Asia

48 pages, Hardcover

First published September 15, 2020

Reviews

[Thushara · Rating 2 out of 5]

The illustrations were phenomenal but the "poems" were below average.

read through Storytel

[Joana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a really short poetry book with incredible art paired with it!! I think to all of us is a rather relatable book - I was really touched by the part where grief and death became so present in our daily lives - and I like how at the end the various topics were brought together!! Definitely a high 3 stars!!!

[Jiaying]

There are some nice juxtapositions in the words but some minor feedback about the poetry:
1. The rhythm is a bit chunky at times
2. Style changes at different sections. Whether by intention or not, maybe the transition felt a little abrupt.

Nice piece of local graphic novel capturing the unique pandemic times in Singapore.

[Cherlynn | cherreading · Rating 2 out of 5]

Update on May 2021:

I decided to re-read this to see if I perhaps missed anything the first time round. Nope, still as unenjoyable. I get what the author was trying to say but the text was awful, the rhyming felt forced and the illustrations were subpar.

Original review:

Didn't get it and not going to pretend that I did. The illustrations are slightly better.

[Kamal · Rating 3 out of 5]

[Nadine · Rating 2 out of 5]

The illustrations are good but the "poetry" is just awful. Didn't finish.

[Melanie Ang · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very quick and short read. The text brought me through journeys of different people in Singapore dealing with this pandemic. Whether it's an old couple losing her loved one, a young man having cabin fever or a nurse feeling scared and discriminated against, though subtly. I enjoyed it thoroughly.

[Ria Chia · Rating 1 out of 5]

Its only redeeming quality is its illustrations.

[Khairun Atika · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a succinct and heartwrenching account of the COVID19 situation in Singapore. As we are still living in a pandemic now, the graphic novel recalls the loneliness and uncertainty during the initial circuit breaker period in Singapore. Of the novelty of the virus, its quick spread, and how it impacts the lives of many. Some fall sick, some experience loss, and some are just plain devastated by how things change. Their livelihoods change, their relationships change, and they are catapulted into a new norm. We crave for human contact, we crave for social interaction, and we crave for the outside world. Yet the poetry in this comic beautifully acknowledges the efforts and services of the frontline workers, and how much they have sacrificed for the citizens. A light, quick read with wonderful depth of a heavy situation.

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the illustration style soooooo much! This is only my second graphic novel so I'm not very accustomed yet, but it was still an enjoyable read. I had a little bit difficulty understanding some parts. I know some people don't like absorbing media related to the pandemic and that's totally understandable. In my opinion, it gave voice to the emotions and experiences we're all struggling with during this time and I really liked the ending!

[Jolin (twentycharm) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I liked the vibes of this book but I must admit some poems were a bit too deep for me haha. However, the art style is very pleasing to the eyes and I appreciate the overall positive messages.

[Lauren · Rating 1 out of 5]

The only redeeming quality is the art, but not enough to be a 2-star read for me. I hated the poetry. I was hoping for this whole thing to be somewhat relatable and make me feel something, but it didn’t.

[Deeksha · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a book that reminds us what it means to have lived through a pandemic. The illustrations of this read are extremely powerful. I absolutely enjoyed reading it. Poetry was good but the illustrations won me over.

[Fabian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really great poetic comic piece with seamless flow between scenes

[Allie Shen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit too simplistic for my liking.

[Andrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

makes my heart full <3 super cute

[Sadie-Jane Huff · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a clever book.
It worked perfectly and tagged at my heartstrings in certain parts.

As always, great poems. I loved the artwork too.

[Vanessa N · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good concept.

[Didi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very cathartic read. This, too, shall pass and life goes on.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little disconnected.
However I like the illustration.
It is a short piece to read.

[Jennith Chen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I may be a speck but I wear a crown. A spectre to which you must bow down.

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very quick read

[camille · Rating 3 out of 5]

a cute and quick read! the illustrations were rly well done, and the comics were mostly relatable to our daily lives with the pandemic still ongoing, some of the panels were rly heartwarming as well!

[Pretty Little Bibliophile · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best works on the pandemic that I have ever read.
Definitely recommend it to all!
it was truly 'cathartic' as a review claimed!

[Ásta Ólafs · Rating 2 out of 5]

The illustrations are beautiful and effective, but the text/poetry is incredibly lacking.

[Apollos Michio · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the Year of the Virus is a very short book that accompanies poems by local author Felix Cheong with beautiful illustrations by illustrator Eko. These poems are all related to Covid-19 in one way or another and capture the widespread emotions and feelings we have regarding this life-changing pandemic.

Although the book is really short and can be read in literally less than five minutes, it is a book that can be revisited and pondered upon over time. I enjoyed reading and interpreting the author’s poems in my own way and looking at the evocative illustrations. A meaningful and retrospective read!

4/5

[Joanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh if only viruses had a phosphorescent glow...! A little rap, a lot of feeling. Quite impassioned memento for this past year.

[Dorothea · Rating 3 out of 5]

A glimpse of COVID-19 reflections and retrospection. The happenings from hearing it on the news to experiencing our own lockdown, aka Circuit Breaker, to shining some hope at the end.

I enjoyed the drawings coupled with the literary usage.

[mm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another library e-book.
This has to be read for the year we have had.
Enough said.

[Jazmin · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75