The simple moments of Paul and Lucie's life are so universal, and the characters so likable, it's easy to go along for the ride on this graphic novel equivalent of a lazy Saturday picnic in the park. However, the beautifully designed art goes a long way toward adding depth to the story. Rabagliati is clearly in love with his own reminiscences and doesn't really shape the material into any kind of dramatic tale. The story is episodic, following such tiny everyday scenes as a scary handyman who destroys Paul and Lucie's bathroom while trying to kill a rat, the death of a favorite aunt and a weekend spent babysitting some kids. Emotions are more clearly understood when viewed, rather than explained, and the depiction of background scenery really draws the reader into rural Quebec in the 1970s.
They rescue a so-so story line and offer characters that are more expressive and more subtle than the usual fare. Rabagliati covers everything in a nostalgic glow, so even an episode when the teacher makes a pass at him comes off as a simple misunderstanding rather than a sordid event. By far the standout feature in this graphic novel is Rabagliatis drawings. Here, we see Paul at design school, falling under the spell of a charismatic teacher, and meeting and eventually moving in with Lucie, a fellow student who impresses him with her knowledge of Tintin.
This charming sequel to Paul Has a Summer Job continues Rabagliati's heavily autobiographical look at his days as a young adult in Montreal.
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