Review: Ducks by Kate Beaton

If I could describe Ducks, a graphic memoir, in one word it would be bleak. Cartoonist Kate Beaton (creator of Hark! A Vagrant) tells the all too real story of the two years that followed her graduation from college. After receiving an arts degree, she returns to Cape Breton in Nova Scotia where she discovers a stark reality. Employment opportunities, especially full time ones, for arts graduates are non-existent in this part of Canada.  She also has a large student debt which is only going to get worse if she doesn't find a way to pay it back. So, she takes a different career path, moving to Alberta, working in the oil sands.

As I said at the beginning of my review, Ducks is bleak. A once hopeful student, Kate Beaton finds herself discovering some harsh realities about employment after university, and even harsher realities about jobs on the oil sands. Each frame perfectly showcases that bleakness and the experiences that she has along the way, putting up with lower than expected pay, tough conditions (including an aeroplane fire, as the airline only put their worst aircraft on that particular flight,) sexism and sexual assault. I found Ducks to be incredibly tough--but compelling--reading. This toughness and bleakness is no fault of the author--if anything it showcases the grim reality of post student life for those who don't have money, who don't live in the right part of the country and what is valued ahead of the arts. 

I read this over the course of several days as parts of it got too heavy at times, however, the questions the book raises makes the journey worth it. 

Recommended. 

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