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Sunburn
Rachel is a teenager who lives a gray suburban life in gray suburban England. It's a world of brown sauce, warm beer, and scrambled eggs every Tuesday. With her summer already mapped out for her—a job working at the butcher and a caravan holiday in Clacton—it seems like this year will only bring more of the same. So when family friends invite her to spend the summer with them in Greece, she jumps at the chance to escape her life and finally be treated like an adult.
The Warners are everything her parents are not—glamorous, sophisticated, and carefree—and when Rachel meets Benjamin, a handsome young friend of the Warners, her summer seems to be taking a turn for the better. But there's no escaping the pains of growing up, and she'll soon learn that life on a small island where everyone knows each other's business may not be all it's cracked up to be.
Drawn by SIMON GANE, the artist behind Eisner-nominated Ghost Tree and THEY'RE NOT LIKE US, and written by ANDI WATSON, author of The Book Tour, Kerry and the Knight of the Forest, and the forthcoming Punycorn.
The Warners are everything her parents are not—glamorous, sophisticated, and carefree—and when Rachel meets Benjamin, a handsome young friend of the Warners, her summer seems to be taking a turn for the better. But there's no escaping the pains of growing up, and she'll soon learn that life on a small island where everyone knows each other's business may not be all it's cracked up to be.
Drawn by SIMON GANE, the artist behind Eisner-nominated Ghost Tree and THEY'RE NOT LIKE US, and written by ANDI WATSON, author of The Book Tour, Kerry and the Knight of the Forest, and the forthcoming Punycorn.
220 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 6, 2022
4 people are currently reading
421 people want to read
About the author
Andi Watson
150 books92 followersAndrew "Andi" Watson (born 1969) is a British cartoonist and illustrator best known for the graphic novels Breakfast After Noon, Slow News Day and his series Love Fights, published by Oni Press and Slave Labor Graphics.
Watson has also worked for more mainstream American comic publishers with some work at DC Comics, a twelve-issue limited series at Marvel Comics, with the majority at Dark Horse Comics, moving recently to Image Comics.
Watson has also worked for more mainstream American comic publishers with some work at DC Comics, a twelve-issue limited series at Marvel Comics, with the majority at Dark Horse Comics, moving recently to Image Comics.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews
October 9, 2022
*Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.*
What set this comic apart from your average coming of age story was the hint of an unsettling tone in the background. However, the creepy atmosphere and any potential it had built up was completely squandered by an underwhelming ending that fell entirely flat.
The art was beautiful and the blue colour palette and elaborate drawings really captured the beauty of Greece and the holiday adventure vibes. However, the plot was quite repetitive. Even though the holiday was supposed to be exciting because it took place in another country, it seemed rather boring as it involved 1. Eating, 2. Partying and drinking, and 3. Swimming. Those three activities were rotated for a good 180 pages and it felt overdone. There was no particular chemistry between the protagonist and the love interest, it was sort of a romance of convenience given that he was the only boy—nay—the only other teen on an island full of oldies.
The reveal of the truth at the end was such a pivotal moment and the plot had been building up to it the whole time. But the pacing went awry almost immediately following it and the story rushed to wrap itself up by rendering the protagonist a mute idiot who accepted anything her creepy benevolent benefactors did or said. It was a shame to see and made the whole read a waste of time. If the ending had dealt with the fallout of the reveal with more persistence this would’ve garnered 4 stars from me.
What set this comic apart from your average coming of age story was the hint of an unsettling tone in the background. However, the creepy atmosphere and any potential it had built up was completely squandered by an underwhelming ending that fell entirely flat.
The art was beautiful and the blue colour palette and elaborate drawings really captured the beauty of Greece and the holiday adventure vibes. However, the plot was quite repetitive. Even though the holiday was supposed to be exciting because it took place in another country, it seemed rather boring as it involved 1. Eating, 2. Partying and drinking, and 3. Swimming. Those three activities were rotated for a good 180 pages and it felt overdone. There was no particular chemistry between the protagonist and the love interest, it was sort of a romance of convenience given that he was the only boy—nay—the only other teen on an island full of oldies.
The reveal of the truth at the end was such a pivotal moment and the plot had been building up to it the whole time. But the pacing went awry almost immediately following it and the story rushed to wrap itself up by rendering the protagonist a mute idiot who accepted anything her creepy benevolent benefactors did or said. It was a shame to see and made the whole read a waste of time. If the ending had dealt with the fallout of the reveal with more persistence this would’ve garnered 4 stars from me.
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December 12, 2022I really enjoyed all the art of the coastal Grecian town. It was a joy to watch and the story moves by at a nice clip. However, there was obviously something sinister in this book's DNA that never gets expressed in a clear way. It seemed unable to commit to the story it wanted to tell, and I left feeling uncomfortable by the story I read.
December 17, 2022
This definitely nails the romantic Greek summer aesthetic, but the actual story is so formulaic. Vibes only.
January 4, 2023
From the start I have to say that the palette and coloring of this graphic novel is just idyllic and beautifully done. With its array of blue and tans and pops of primaries, it looks eye-dropped from an actual photo of the Greek coastline.
The plot, however, is another story. It’s creepy, quite frankly. And even if it’s not as disturbing as you think it is, the fact that it could be because these questions aren’t answered, is enough to raise that creep factor anyhoo. I can’t think about it anymore. I’m out.
I’ll give it zero stars for the story and five stars for the art for average of 2.5.
The plot, however, is another story. It’s creepy, quite frankly. And even if it’s not as disturbing as you think it is, the fact that it could be because these questions aren’t answered, is enough to raise that creep factor anyhoo. I can’t think about it anymore. I’m out.
I’ll give it zero stars for the story and five stars for the art for average of 2.5.
August 9, 2023
1.5*
I loved the art in this book; the illustrator did a great job of reflecting the beauty of Greece. I particularly liked the consistent colour palette. There was an unsettling and eerie tone throughout the story, but the poor storytelling and unclear plot made it fall flat. I genuinely didn't feel any connection to the characters or particularly care about them, nor was the plot clear enough to actually understand what was going on. The ending was anticlimactic and disappointing. The only redeeming aspect of this graphic novel was the art.
I loved the art in this book; the illustrator did a great job of reflecting the beauty of Greece. I particularly liked the consistent colour palette. There was an unsettling and eerie tone throughout the story, but the poor storytelling and unclear plot made it fall flat. I genuinely didn't feel any connection to the characters or particularly care about them, nor was the plot clear enough to actually understand what was going on. The ending was anticlimactic and disappointing. The only redeeming aspect of this graphic novel was the art.
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August 31, 2022Not a million miles from Andi Watson and Simon Gane's previous collaboration, the recently reissued Paris, the story here is the most obvious thing in the world: a young woman from a dull background having a romantic awakening in a classically romantic location, this time Greece. And as with Paris, it's OK for the story to be simple because it's mainly there to hang the gorgeous visuals on. Apart from a few scenes of ports and parties, there's much more space here than in Paris' Where's Wally visions of Gallic street life, but it's not empty space; Gane has drawn the rocks and leaves, those little square homes seen from afar, in a style which is at once spare and yet makes you wonder how anyone could have had the time. And then the palette, which likewise is in one sense minimal - white buildings, khaki-ish rocks and plants, blue sea and sky – yet also not, because within the blue in particular there are such tiny, perfect, vast and evocative modulations. This has seriously amped up my excitement about having a trip to Crete booked, just from those blues (and equally, left me puzzled that Sunburn is coming out at the end of October when it's such a summer holiday book).
Also like Paris, it's set in the past, which there made sense (the City of Lights has had a tough few decades since the heyday the comic captured), but here leads to a certain...awkwardness? Dissonance? Basically: it is some point within unglamorous living memory, where the heroine's staid suburban family have not long since had a telephone installed, and all she has to look forward to over summer is a job at the butcher's and a week in Clacton, until some family friends she barely remembers invite her to stay in their villa. Family friends who don't have any kids of their own, and dress her up, and encourage her to drink, and take her to parties, and smile at her romance with a boy she meets there. And so for much of the time I was reading I was thinking, OK, this is absolutely the set-up from a charming coming of age story from 40-70 years ago...but also, read in the now when everything is tainted, am I being lulled into a false sense of security and the sophisticated older couple are a prototype Epstein and Maxwell? Well, normally I wouldn't want to give the game away, but here I would for once have liked to know in advance myself, because it was harshing my idyll, so: things aren't entirely above board, but she's never in any danger beyond hangover and heartbreak.
(Edelweiss ARC)
Also like Paris, it's set in the past, which there made sense (the City of Lights has had a tough few decades since the heyday the comic captured), but here leads to a certain...awkwardness? Dissonance? Basically: it is some point within unglamorous living memory, where the heroine's staid suburban family have not long since had a telephone installed, and all she has to look forward to over summer is a job at the butcher's and a week in Clacton, until some family friends she barely remembers invite her to stay in their villa. Family friends who don't have any kids of their own, and dress her up, and encourage her to drink, and take her to parties, and smile at her romance with a boy she meets there. And so for much of the time I was reading I was thinking, OK, this is absolutely the set-up from a charming coming of age story from 40-70 years ago...but also, read in the now when everything is tainted, am I being lulled into a false sense of security and the sophisticated older couple are a prototype Epstein and Maxwell? Well, normally I wouldn't want to give the game away, but here I would for once have liked to know in advance myself, because it was harshing my idyll, so: things aren't entirely above board, but she's never in any danger beyond hangover and heartbreak.
(Edelweiss ARC)
March 29, 2023
Is it YA? Isn’t it YA? Difficult to tell. The main protagonist is a sixteen-year-old girl, so yes?
This is I really liked Watson’s Book Tour and I’ve been reading his other books trying to find more of that literary absurdity, and this wasn’t it. Again. But it’s another one of Watson’s collaborations with a very talented artist whose work I enjoy very much. There’s such great attention to details in his art, so much to see on each page.
As for the story…it’s thin. A girl travels to Greece, alone, to spend the summer with her father’s friends, who may or may not have ulterior motives for their generosity. The mood hits the right notes. And the destination is rendered perfectly in blues and whites and sun-burnt yellows, just like the real thing.
All in all, a decent if not memorable quick read.
This is I really liked Watson’s Book Tour and I’ve been reading his other books trying to find more of that literary absurdity, and this wasn’t it. Again. But it’s another one of Watson’s collaborations with a very talented artist whose work I enjoy very much. There’s such great attention to details in his art, so much to see on each page.
As for the story…it’s thin. A girl travels to Greece, alone, to spend the summer with her father’s friends, who may or may not have ulterior motives for their generosity. The mood hits the right notes. And the destination is rendered perfectly in blues and whites and sun-burnt yellows, just like the real thing.
All in all, a decent if not memorable quick read.
January 11, 2023
Creepy at best.
December 28, 2022
Beautiful art and setting to this book. It had an interesting underlay to the classic coming of age story, with a nice build up to the secret that is discovered. Overall an enjoyable and short read!
August 30, 2024
Art was beautiful, story was weird/ creepy with no clear direction or ending
December 2, 2022
As a coming-of-age graphic novel it had some potential, but at the end of the day it turned out to be quite pointless and repetitive, without any particular plot twists or characters of any particular depth.
STYLING: ⭐⭐
ORIGINALITY: ⭐⭐
CHARACTER DEV.: ⭐⭐
PLOT DEV.: ⭐⭐
IMPORTANCE: ⭐
STYLING: ⭐⭐
ORIGINALITY: ⭐⭐
CHARACTER DEV.: ⭐⭐
PLOT DEV.: ⭐⭐
IMPORTANCE: ⭐
December 24, 2022
2.5. It was okay but I didn’t see the point.
May 14, 2023
Who was this for
August 26, 2023
Before I start discussing the story, I wanted to highlight just how much I love the art style. The colour palette is gorgeous and perfectly fits the island vibes. The donkeys, the scooters, the goats--I was in Crete in May and this comic brought me straight back. Plus, the artist pays a lot of attention to small details (I noticed that Gucci bag straight away!).
Now, to the story. When I saw the reviews here, I was quite shocked. I think a lot of readers read this comic with the wrong expectations, and I also firmly believe that the intended audience is wrong. It's meant for a Teen+ audience, but I'd say it's more suited for adults. A lot of the subtle dialogue will probably fly over your head if you don't pay attention. Why would a girl get invited to a luxury holiday with friends of the family? There are only a couple of explanations.
Contrary to the other reviewers here, I really enjoyed reading this comic. I opened it with the idea of reading it over a few days, but couldn't put it down once I'd started. There was something special about this story. Maybe it was the undoubted "Britishness" or the Greek charm, or maybe the fact that it's set in the 80s or 90s. But I enjoyed every second of it.
Recommended for more mature audiences and lovers of Greece.
I received a copy via NetGalley. All my opinions are my own.
Now, to the story. When I saw the reviews here, I was quite shocked. I think a lot of readers read this comic with the wrong expectations, and I also firmly believe that the intended audience is wrong. It's meant for a Teen+ audience, but I'd say it's more suited for adults. A lot of the subtle dialogue will probably fly over your head if you don't pay attention. Why would a girl get invited to a luxury holiday with friends of the family? There are only a couple of explanations.
Contrary to the other reviewers here, I really enjoyed reading this comic. I opened it with the idea of reading it over a few days, but couldn't put it down once I'd started. There was something special about this story. Maybe it was the undoubted "Britishness" or the Greek charm, or maybe the fact that it's set in the 80s or 90s. But I enjoyed every second of it.
Recommended for more mature audiences and lovers of Greece.
I received a copy via NetGalley. All my opinions are my own.
February 5, 2024
While I enjoyed the art and the blue and ochre color pallet here, I have to agree with what seems to be the popular opinion: that the storytelling is lacking, especially when it comes to building characters, and the story itself is a bit vague and predictable.
But it is still a very evocative coming of age story, with the Aegean Islands as a true protagonist. The summer vibe is ever present, and the subtle underneath currents of foreboding add some spice to a story that could have certainly be much more interesting...
But it is still a very evocative coming of age story, with the Aegean Islands as a true protagonist. The summer vibe is ever present, and the subtle underneath currents of foreboding add some spice to a story that could have certainly be much more interesting...
December 2, 2023
This coming of age boasts sweeping Grecian landscapes coupled with the allure old Hollywood glamour.
September 6, 2023
3.3 digit
August 11, 2023
I did enjoy this story and the artwork was excellent in the way it conveyed the beautiful Greek island. It is supposed to be a YA graphic novel but it does come across as adult because of some of the themes in the story.
I did wonder if something awful was going to happen to sixteen-year-old Rachel whose parents’ glamorous friends unexpectedly invite her on a glitzy trip to Greece for the summer holiday. Her parents hadn’t seen these friends for years but quite happily packed their daughter off to Greece for a holiday with perfect strangers who immediately introduced her to wine, skimpy dresses, their partying friends and a young man called Benjamin.
This had ‘safeguarding’ alarms going off in my brain, but the story was quite surprising in the end. Rachel emerges as an excellent character despite the gossipy adults around her and the story is both engaging and surprising.
I also realised that it is high time I visit Greece and experience the sun and sea for myself. This is a lovely story with a courageous young woman as the main character set against the beautiful background of Greece.
Copy provided by Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
I did wonder if something awful was going to happen to sixteen-year-old Rachel whose parents’ glamorous friends unexpectedly invite her on a glitzy trip to Greece for the summer holiday. Her parents hadn’t seen these friends for years but quite happily packed their daughter off to Greece for a holiday with perfect strangers who immediately introduced her to wine, skimpy dresses, their partying friends and a young man called Benjamin.
This had ‘safeguarding’ alarms going off in my brain, but the story was quite surprising in the end. Rachel emerges as an excellent character despite the gossipy adults around her and the story is both engaging and surprising.
I also realised that it is high time I visit Greece and experience the sun and sea for myself. This is a lovely story with a courageous young woman as the main character set against the beautiful background of Greece.
Copy provided by Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
January 3, 2023
It was neither bad nor great. I liked the work with the colour, especially the shift in the colours between the bland beginning to the colourful ending. I thought it was a nice way to represent the development of the character, a very much-needed element as the story itself doesn’t show much character development on its own.
Some bits needed, to my opinion, some clarity. I often had the impression some panels were missing as we were skipping from one scene to another too quickly, therefore missing context. The plot twist is easy to misread and doesn’t give off much detail. It is weird to depict a story with little action and have this interesting and crunchy element left as little exploited as possible.
Once the secret is unveiled, not much happens afterward. Of all the possible outcomes of the story and how it could’ve gone, the path chosen was the most passive option possible.
Some bits needed, to my opinion, some clarity. I often had the impression some panels were missing as we were skipping from one scene to another too quickly, therefore missing context. The plot twist is easy to misread and doesn’t give off much detail. It is weird to depict a story with little action and have this interesting and crunchy element left as little exploited as possible.
Once the secret is unveiled, not much happens afterward. Of all the possible outcomes of the story and how it could’ve gone, the path chosen was the most passive option possible.
June 20, 2023
The Mediterranean summer atmosphere is reflected perfectly by unique drawings and a lovely palette. So, as a Mediterranean and comic lover, it's impossible for me not to adore Sunburn by Andi Watson.
The story, on the other hand... Meh.
Sooo, 6 for the art (yep, why not) and 2 for the story. Avg: 4.00
The story, on the other hand... Meh.
Sooo, 6 for the art (yep, why not) and 2 for the story. Avg: 4.00
August 18, 2023
I enjoyed this romantic tale. The artwork is gorgeous, the rich blues reflect Greece perfectly. But there was a sinister undercurrent I was expecting to burst out at some stage, whereas the story was really just a sweet coming of age tale.
January 30, 2023
very pretty but weird ending/plot
October 9, 2022
More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/
Perhaps it is a sign of modern times that I think most readers will get through half the story and start feeling like it is a set up to a horror novel of kidnapping and pedophilia. However, this is a beautifully told and gently drawn coming of age story set in the late 1950s/early 1960s Greece. Out heroine has lived a boring and staid life in her middle class British home and is given the chance to see a different view of the world in which she lives.Story: Her Summer looks to be a temp job at the butcher and then a leaky wet caravan in the country for 16 year old Rachel. But then her mother runs into an old friend who moved away years ago - a friend now living in Greece. Rachel is invited to spend her Summer there and she gratefully accepts. What she finds is a glamorous world in which the childless couple introduce Rachel to a Greece of poolside parties, alcohol, and Summer swims. As well, to young and handsome Ben. But there is more going on behind the scenes than the sheltered Rachel will be able to understand or accept.
What starts as a coming of age story of Rachel exploring a life she had never before envisioned soon delves into the nature of relationships and societal mores. To say any more would be to give away key plot points; suffice it to say it is a very well written piece on expectations, innocence, and a view point into lives very different from one's own. It's also a commentary on early 1960s values and a glimpse of the coming turbulent late 1960s.
The artwork is as superb as expected and there is a lot to see and enjoy without the panels being overcrowded or too busy. Artist Gane has a great way of expressing glamor and beauty as well as innocence and naivete. There are many meaningful glances throughout and emotions are often left to the graphics and not the words. This is definitely a story to enjoy slowly as it is never overtold or rushed.
In all, a beautifully written and illustrated piece well worth the read. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.
September 9, 2023
Thank you to Netgalley and Image Comics for the EARC!
What a beautifully drawn, anxiety inducing book! From the start the concept made me rather uncomfortable, and the book did nothing to soothe my worries. The art is truly some of the most beautiful I’ve ever come across, and I’m glad to have read it! The story left a little to be desired, but overall very enjoyable!
What a beautifully drawn, anxiety inducing book! From the start the concept made me rather uncomfortable, and the book did nothing to soothe my worries. The art is truly some of the most beautiful I’ve ever come across, and I’m glad to have read it! The story left a little to be desired, but overall very enjoyable!
November 1, 2024
Ein junges Mädchen darf bei Bekannten in Griechenland Urlaub machen und kommt drauf, dass nicht nur Teenager sich sehr sonderbar verhalten können.
September 19, 2022
One of those romance-inflected dramas that just go about their business in a nicely unshowy way, this takes an English teenaged girl away from her humdrum life (boring meals, boring parents, summer job planned purely for the cash) and dumps her on a sunny Greek island. Her hostess is almost brazen for the times (whatever those exactly are), what with her bikinis and the way her husband joins in in agreeing the virtues of the lass’s looks. And in amongst the seemingly humongous ex-pat community of Brits spending the entire season there, a young lad agrees that she seems to be rather on the appealing side.
Thankfully there is more to this than the ‘young love found at the seaside’ plot – although that can be perfectly fine when done well (think “Forever” by Petricelli). That said, many of the pages are the young couple seen together, as he grasps for a future he cannot quite claim for himself, and she finds a self-assuredness she certainly didn’t bring with her from home. Wordless scenes and establishing landscape spreads slow things down, and this certainly has the feel of a bit of European art-house cinema. I would also argue that it proves flawed characters can still be thoroughly likeable, and here help build a very pleasurable read. A strong four stars.
Thankfully there is more to this than the ‘young love found at the seaside’ plot – although that can be perfectly fine when done well (think “Forever” by Petricelli). That said, many of the pages are the young couple seen together, as he grasps for a future he cannot quite claim for himself, and she finds a self-assuredness she certainly didn’t bring with her from home. Wordless scenes and establishing landscape spreads slow things down, and this certainly has the feel of a bit of European art-house cinema. I would also argue that it proves flawed characters can still be thoroughly likeable, and here help build a very pleasurable read. A strong four stars.
September 19, 2023
‘Sunburn’ by Andi Watson with illustrations by Simon Gane is a graphic novel about a young girl coming of age on an exotic vacation.
Rachel lives a bland life with her parents with the same summer camping holiday looming. When family friends invite her to spend the summer in Greece, she reluctantly agrees. The friends have no children and attend parties most nights. Rachel learns to drink, meets a boy, and learns some hard lessons about life along the way.
This book has a creepy undercurrent from the start. I wasn’t sure where it was going to go, and fortunately I was wrong. It definitely has an unsettling quality to it and I have no idea what kind of parents would send a daughter off with another couple for a whole summer. The art is good, but had some odd disjointed qualities at times.
Rachel lives a bland life with her parents with the same summer camping holiday looming. When family friends invite her to spend the summer in Greece, she reluctantly agrees. The friends have no children and attend parties most nights. Rachel learns to drink, meets a boy, and learns some hard lessons about life along the way.
This book has a creepy undercurrent from the start. I wasn’t sure where it was going to go, and fortunately I was wrong. It definitely has an unsettling quality to it and I have no idea what kind of parents would send a daughter off with another couple for a whole summer. The art is good, but had some odd disjointed qualities at times.
January 25, 2023
This is an interesting YA graphic novel in that there are unsettling undertones that kept me wondering what was going on.
I don't know who would allow their 16 year old daughter to go spend a summer with people they barely know, in a different country no less, but that's the setup.
This is a coming of age story. Rachel who swaps dreary England for sunny Greece for one summer. She doesn't know the married couple she's going to visit - well, yes she did ride on their dog when she was little - but who would pass up the chance?
I really liked the illustration style, and the above mentioned undertones kept me turning the pages. A quick read with lovely art, and a young teen who has to learn to navigate an adult world far from all that is familiar.
I don't know who would allow their 16 year old daughter to go spend a summer with people they barely know, in a different country no less, but that's the setup.
This is a coming of age story. Rachel who swaps dreary England for sunny Greece for one summer. She doesn't know the married couple she's going to visit - well, yes she did ride on their dog when she was little - but who would pass up the chance?
I really liked the illustration style, and the above mentioned undertones kept me turning the pages. A quick read with lovely art, and a young teen who has to learn to navigate an adult world far from all that is familiar.
December 22, 2023
The artwork and the colouring are lovely. The representation of a typical Cycladean island, in summer, is quite close to the reality - the sun, the narrow and scenic streets, the beautiful beaches...
However, the plot is very thin. The romance between our protagonist, Rachel, and Ben is not really that interesting and there isn't any actual progress in Rachel's character.
However, the plot is very thin. The romance between our protagonist, Rachel, and Ben is not really that interesting and there isn't any actual progress in Rachel's character.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews