Graphic Novel Challenge: When the Wind Blows

Though we still have over half of a month to go, I have already finished one graphic novel for the month of March. I was so impressed with Raymond Briggs' Ethel & Ernest from last month that I decided to read his other graphic novel When the Wind Blows which is also in the 500 Essential Graphic Novels. Unlike his other graphic novel, When the Wind Blows is not as uplifting or heartfelt. Instead, Briggs tells the story of a happily married couple and how they are effected by nuclear war. The couple survived the Blitz in London during WWII and therefore have very interesting reactions to the Cold War. While the husband is extremely trusting of the government and creates a plan in case nuclear war occurs, his wife is less trusting and believes that no such atrocity will occur. When a nuclear warhead is dropped on England, the couple must try their best to survive.

Being that the graphic novel was written in 1982, it seems a bit dated to the contemporary reader. Still, it is incredibly interesting to read a graphic novel that was written during the Cold War about the Cold War. All of the anxieties and fear feel extremely raw and despite it being almost twenty years later, those feelings still affect the reader. While the subject matter is extremely depressing, Briggs does give his characters a sense of humor that creates a bit of comic relief but the impending doom is still hanging over the tale. As is true with Snowman and Ethel & Ernest, the graphics are gorgeous and look almost like watercolors. Overall, I think that this is an excellent read and in many ways better than Ethel & Ernest.

-DLP