With the end of the year fast approaching, I need to finish the Around the World Reading Challenge, 2015.
Therefore, this week, we head to South America as I review Daytripper by Brazilian brothers Fábio Moon and Gabriel Bá.
Daytripper examines the question, “at what point does one’s life begin?” through defining moments, such as the birth of a child, death of a parent, getting one’s big break, or meeting the love of one’s life.
Each chapter covers a day or so in the life of obituary writer Brás de Olivia Domingos at different ages – though not necessarily in chronological order.
Although the book jumps around, the order of the stories flows well. For example, the day he is eleven has more to do with the day his own son is born than when he is 21.
While many people associate Brazil with the liveliness of Carnival, there is a somberness to the illustrations that fits the overall tone of the book, with appropriate exceptions: the chapter in which Brás is eleven is drawn and colored in a more youthful style; and the one in which he searches for a missing friend gets very heavy and dark.
Daytripper is a thought provoking look at what really matters in life, for everyday could be one’s last.