A stunning first graphic novel by a Cape/Comica/Observer graphic short story competition winner - a tale of a skirmish in the ice-cream wars that is worthy of Alan Bennett
Matthew Dooley won the Cape/Comica/Observer graphic short story prize in 2016. He works in the House of Commons.
If Alan Bennett made graphic novels, they might look like
this... But Dooley deserves to be recognised for his own talents
and they are all on display in this fine, funny graphic novel
that is full of sly humour and facial hair, set against a world of
pub quizzes, crazy golf and crosswords. His flat drawing style has
a deadpan comedy all its own, but it's the world he conjures up
that stays with you. Lovely. -- Teddy Jamieson * Herald
Scotland *50 best books to give at Christmas* *
Full of irresistible puns... A meld of Alan Bennett and
the American comic-book artist Chris Ware...and also Tom
Gauld. -- Tim Lewis * Observer *
The first graphic novel to win the Wodehouse prize for comic
literature. It's a cheerfully nostalgic trip into a
north-western English town of pub quizzes, crazy golf and
crosswords, and a testament to the powers of salt water and
friendship in a crisis. Dooley's merrily inventive ice lollies
are worth a book of their own. -- James Smart * Guardian *Books
of the Year* *
Dooley is deft at employing a Chris Ware-like sense of ennui...
Flake is principally comedic, comedic in the way that Magnus
Mills is comedic or Wallace and Gromit... We will watch to see
what he does next with baited breath. * Bookmunch *
[Matthew Dooley] handles this gloomy trifecta of middle age,
limited financial prospects and an English costal resort in the
melancholy style familiar to fans of Chris Ware, but unlike
that great prophet of emptiness, restores a sunburst of
optimism to this dismal corner of the nation by book's end. *
Strong Words *
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