An Evening in Essex County

Matt vs. Essex County : Some thoughts

Essex County - Jeff Lemire — Click to enlarge.

I thought I was going to go to bed before midnight tonight. I’ve been a bit busy and sleep-deprived for the past couple days ; this makes me question my decision to sit and read Jeff Lemire ‘s Essex County all in one sitting. I have no regrets: instead, I’m wondering why it’s taken so long for me to get around to it.

Essex County is the story of a number of different characters who have their roots planted in Essex County, Ontario. It’s a story told with a boatload of flashbacks and interwoven narratives, none of which are stifling or excessive. Everything… fits . Details aren’t frivolous, nor are the panels cramped with expository text. Even the ending “bonus” content that doesn’t seem part of the over-arching narrative serves to enhance the setting and support the stories that come after it. What seems like a bitter and cold landscape at the beginning of the story is shown to have its own character and history; the county itself is as much of a character as the people who inhabit it.

Hockey plays a large part in the story, and the end of the Chapter 1 has a nice quote about how the sport helps Canadians, otherwise living in a harsh environment, feel alive. I kind of agree with this on principle: I’ve regained my love of skating this winter through a pair of new skates, and there’s something about whipping around an empty rink that’s very therapeutic.

I guess Essex County hits home because it’s about a bunch of people who have made mistakes in their lives but do not let those mistakes rule them. They contemplate, reminisce, grow and eventually move on – even if it’s painful. It’s a great story about personal gain and loss, and appreciating the people around you. I heartily recommend it.