But You Have Friends - by Emilia McKenzie (Paperback)

About the Book

"Emilia first met Charlotte in their school locker room in the late '90s. They quickly bonded over indie music, feminist literature, a love of purple, and a shared sense of outsiderness. Their joyful, intense friendship evolved through the years--until Charlotte died in 2018 following a long struggle with depression. Now, Emilia assembles her memories into a graphic memoir reflecting on the bond they shared and the ways it shaped them. As they pass in and out of each other's lives, teenage ideals collide with adult realities, prompting reflections about the meaning of friendship. But You Have Friends is a tender tribute to an irreplaceable friend and a sharply observed, personal account of the aftermath of loss. It is also a humorous, candid memorial that will resonate with anyone who has ever loved."--

Book Synopsis

When a dear friend dies by suicide, Emilia is left with only memories. Full of humor and poignancy, this graphic memoir is a meditation on the meaning of friendship and a love letter to an irreplaceable friend.

Emilia first met Charlotte in their school locker room in the late '90s. They quickly bonded over indie music, feminist literature, a love of purple, and a shared sense of outsiderness. Their joyful, intense friendship evolved through the years--until Charlotte died in 2018 following a long struggle with depression.

Now, Emilia assembles her memories into a graphic memoir reflecting on the bond they shared and the ways it shaped them. As they pass in and out of each other's lives, teenage ideals collide with adult realities, prompting reflections about the meaning of friendship.

But You Have Friends is a tender tribute to an irreplaceable friend and a sharply observed, personal account of the aftermath of loss. It is also a humorous, candid memorial that will resonate with anyone who has ever loved.

Review Quotes

"A tender graphic memoir about the loss of a close friend... thoughtful, loving, and honest." -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"A scrapbook of vignettes, some brief and lighthearted, others longer and emotionally wrenching, that gradually form a moving narrative... This restrained and resonant portrait of friendship finds meaning in small moments of connection." -- Publishers Weekly

"An account of friendship and loss that is powerful, vitally important and unquestionably relevant... emotionally articulate and uncompromising in its honesty." -- Andy Oliver, Broken Frontier

About the Author

Emilia has been making and publishing comics since 2008, working primarily in the sci-fi genre under the alias Emix Regulus. She lives in South London. But You Have Friends is her first graphic memoir.