Swati's Reviews > Drawing on the Edge - Volume 1

“Drawing on the Edge” is the first part of author Ersin Karabulut’s memoir of growing up in Istanbul. Karabulut and his family lived in one of the less glamorous and more conservative suburbs of the city. The book chronicles his childhood years through to when he becomes a cartoonist for one of the top magazines in the country.

Karabulut grew up against a backdrop of constant political tension and volatility as Turkey slowly slid from democracy into autocracy and dictatorship.. Being secular, his family often stood out in their thoughts and practices, which was challenging at times. Ersin skilfully juxtaposes the challenges of childhood and adulting as he grows up and starts to form his own opinions with that of the changes taking place in the country. Both are undergoing changes, and both must cope with them.

Karabulut uses a brilliant blend of humour and sharp observation to portray these situations. He effortlessly gets us up to speed with the politics and social unrest in the country while also giving a peek into family dynamics and personal thoughts. And it’s all done with such refreshing honesty and candour.

The art style took me a little while to get used to. Initially, it put me off a bit but then it grew on me, and the story melded with it beautifully. I wasn’t really clued into Turkey’s politics and reading this helped. A lovely coming-of-age tale, the journey of a child pursuing his dream of becoming an artist, and the evolution of a country and its people. This book is all of that and more.

Thanks to Europe Comics and Netgalley for the ARC.