Former journalist/magazine publisher Suzy Hopkins never expected her marriage to implode, but after three decades, her husband announced "starry-eyed that he'd reconnected with a former girlfriend." Encouraged and enabled by her daughter, author/artist Hallie Bateman, the duo created What to Do When You Get Dumped, an affecting graphic how-to for gradually, realistically "unbreaking your heart." Vulnerably heart-wrenching, yet infused with laugh-out-loud humor, mother and daughter create a rallying guide to learning to be okay.
Hopkins's introduction is notably raw: "Welcome to your new life: the one you didn't ask for, didn't want, and never expected." Hopkins slowly sheds her grief through writing this "pep talk of sorts." She admits to an initially unbearable journey--relentless panic, damaging flashbacks, agonizing aftershocks--but tiny steps signal progress. Choosing to live is the biggest accomplishment. She advises "go easy on yourself," ask for help, don't forget to shower, and maybe use a sledgehammer to break something co-owned with the ex (Hopkins picked a litter box).
Hopkins writes, Bateman draws--in full-color, cartoon-esque style, rife with outrage and mourning, but also warm laughter, across saturated pages, occasional panels, labeled diagrams and dioramas. Underscoring their symbiotic bond, Bateman's illustrations highlight intimate details that perhaps only a daughter could know: the hindsight dissection of family photos, her mother's wardrobe ("stretch-tastic sweatpants!"), her "helpful" movies (the aptly titled Cast Away). By sharing their mutual, unconditional support, mother and daughter provide both the empathy and tools to inspire others to "believe [they] could make it through to a new life... [from] steps A, B, and C, and if [necessary], D through Z." --Terry Hong