Headland by Kate Schneider

I discovered Kate Schneider's graphic novel, Headland (2022), during the recent Graphic Medicine Conference in Toronto. I was immediately drawn to the beautiful illustrations and the prospect of being transported to imaginary worlds within its pages. The narrative revolves around an elderly woman, Ruth, who finds herself confined to a sterile and unfamiliar hospital room following a stroke. However, she manages to escape this dreary reality by embarking on an adventure into the unknown with her companion, a tortoise, in her own imagination. The protagonist is modeled after the author's grandmother and another patient Kate encountered during her grandmother's hospitalization.

I love how the book is filled with silent panels, which are masterfully employed throughout its pages. The sequential storytelling is executed with great skill, allowing readers to independently contemplate and decipher the visual narrative. I found myself engrossed in these silent moments, dedicating plenty of time to studying them. This is something I would like to do for my own graphic novel – learn how to tell a story with silent panels.

One aspect that particularly stands out is the vibrant use of colors in the imaginary world, contrasting starkly with the cold, gray tones of the hospital room. The author adeptly captured the emotions that an elderly person might feel in a hospital, such as unfamiliarity, loneliness, anxiety, uncertainty, neglect, and feeling unheard. The choice of pencils and colored pencils appears to be perfect for depicting such an experience as well. Personally, I don't give myself enough permission to explore imaginary worlds in my art, which is why I appreciated Kate Schneider's writing and illustration so much.

Headland is a book that encourages reflection and contemplation by leaving a lot of room for your own interpretation. Despite being fiction, the book conveys very strong and real emotions. It is truly unlike any other book I’ve read in the genre of graphic medicine.