BUT YOU HAVE FRIENDS

A tender graphic memoir about the loss of a close friend.

In 2018, after her friend Charlotte died at 34 following a long struggle with depression, McKenzie began making sketches of her memories of their time together. “I was worried I might forget things without having her there to remind me,” she writes, clarifying that the book is not a biography of her friend but rather the story of their friendship. McKenzie and Charlotte became fast friends in high school, where they bonded over their love of music, goofy humor, passion for writing, and feminism. They were able to share challenging and intimate emotions that they found difficult to discuss with their classmates, including their struggles with mental health and feelings of alienation. “C was the first person I ever met who took an active interest in social justice,” writes the author, indicating her ongoing admiration for her kind, compassionate friend. After high school, they took a memorable trip to Finland, where, despite Charlotte losing part of her toe due to an infection, they bonded and felt closer than ever. During college, however, they struggled with the distance between their two schools. McKenzie fought loneliness and anxiety, and Charlotte “was up and down” as she battled mental health issues. Eventually, they found “a new rhythm” in their relationship. “All friendships evolve,” writes McKenzie, “but I reject the idea that friends should, by default become ‘less important’ as we get older and maybe partner up or have a family, and I know C felt the same way.” The author’s words and illustrations serve as a testimony to the intimacy of her friendship. The drawings simply yet effectively portray emotion, from the highs and lows of their relationship to the guilt and challenges of grieving a friend gone too soon. McKenzie offers a thoughtful, loving, and honest tribute.

A poignant tapestry of love and grief for an irreplaceable friendship.