Forthcoming from Freehand Books in fall 2010.

Tangles* is a graphic memoir in black and white. It tells the story, from Sarah’s point of view, of her mother Midge’s illness and death from Alzheimer’s Disease. Throughout Midge’s six-year illness, Sarah kept detailed notes and sketches. These are the basis for an unsentimental account of the family’s journey—plenty of humour, sarcasm and even sex mixed in with the grief and loss.

Using flashbacks to her childhood, the author shows how Midge changes from a powerful, protective force in Sarah’s life to someone who requires constant care. Midge’s illness begins when she is only in her early 50s and Sarah is in her late 20s. The narrative explores the themes of memory, language, mother/daughter relationships, growing up and forming one’s identity. As Midge declines, Sarah is forced to become more mature and self-reliant, and develops a stronger sense of self in the face of incredible grief and loss.

For more about the author, go to About Sarah. For queries and information regarding publication rights, please contact sarah (at) sarahleavitt (dot) com or Samantha Haywood at Transatlantic Literary Agency: sam (at) tla1 (dot) com.

*Working title of the unpublished manuscript was My Mom Got Sick and Died