Title: Britten and Brülightly
Written and illustrated by: Hannah Berry
Paperback: 112 pages
Publisher: Henry Holt & Company, Incorporated, March 2009
Genre: Graphic Novel
Pages: 112
Rated: 4/5
Acquired from the library

I picked this up on a whim at the library for a quick weekend read.  The illustrations looked gorgeous and dark and spooky.  I just had to give it a try.

At the heart of this gorgeously drawn graphic-novel is private eye Fernández Britten, a hardened and disillusioned man who talks to his tea bag.  Yes, you read that right, HIS TEA BAG.  He is THAT. LONELY.  Britten has been beaten down by his life of exposing jealous lovers, destroying relationships and exposing the ugly truths his clients pay him to unearth.  Britten clings to only one hope, that someday he will reveal a truth that will do some good in someone’s life.

Then Britten and Brülightly take on the mysterious death of Berni Kudos.  The official verdict was suicide, but Berni’s fiancée thinks differently.  As Britten uncovers the many layers of lies covering the truth, the more dangerous things become for him.  Blackmail.  Revenge.  Murder.  It’s all there, in stunning black and white.  And Britten discovers that doing the right thing, may mean more than just telling the truth.

Did I mention that the illustrations in this book are stunning?  Seriously, they are STUNNING people.  It’s very film noir-ish, in my opinion.  It felt like watching an old, black and white film, with maybe James Cagney or Humphrey Bogart.  And don’t let the fact that the main character talks to a tea bag.  It works in the context of the story.  It didn’t feel weird at all.  It just made me feel even sadder for what was an obviously lonely and thoughtful man.  It was great fun and I think if you like graphic novels, or heck, film noir, you would enjoy this wonderful graphic novel.

Also reviewed by:

Nobody! 😦