Epileptic by David Beauchard

David Beauchard’s Epileptic, originally published in France in 2002, is an autobiographical story about a family’s struggle with epilepsy. Interestingly, it is the author's brother who suffers from the disease, which demonstrates its impact on familial relationships and the siblings’ growing disconnection as a result. We follow the family in the 1960s and 1970s as they try to halt the disease using a variety of alternative treatments and philosophies, including acupuncture, spiritualism, or macrobiotic communes.

The author documents his way of coping with his brother's disease, much of which is drawing and escaping into fantasy. It is a story full of conflicting and complex brotherly feelings that demonstrates how the illness of a loved one can define us for the rest of our lives.

Beautiful and detailed illustrations, often devoted to imaginary battles and characters, are what draw you in and keep you engaged throughout the entire 360 page-book. The black and white illustrations reminded me of the style of Marjane Satrapi in Persepolis (see below). Actually, it turns out that Satrapi was a student of Beauchard's and was heavily influenced by his work.