Jack Edwards's Reviews > Roaming

A gorgeously illustrated graphic novel which perfectly captures the vibe of a group holiday that doesn't go to plan. Sometimes you realise you just can't travel with certain people... on day 1 of a trip... and now you're stuck with them.

Dani and Zoe have been friends since adolescence, and always dreamed of going to New York. When the opportunity finally arises now they're college students (and long-distance friends), Zoe brings her new dorm-mate Fiona with her. Now one thing to know about Fiona: she's the fucking worst. She could suck the life out of a Barbie doll. Fiona totally derails the trip by being dismissive, obnoxious, and cynical, refusing to engage in "touristy" activities because she think she's above them.

And what makes this even more frustrating to read is the fact that everyone knows a Fiona in real life. I think this book really captured the essence of a deeply unhappy person who drags everybody down with them, so much so that her character made me viscerally very angry. If Fiona has 100 haters, I'm one. If she has 10 haters, I'm one. If she has zero haters, I'm dead.

I found the ending a little unsatisfying -- it really ends with a whimper rather than a bang. And I was expecting some big confrontation or a confession from Fiona that made us empathise with her a little more. It's a nuanced story with a subtle plotline rather than something grand and sweeping, but I think it needed a better payoff.

I'll definitely be checking out the other graphic novels by this duo though!

Also FUCK (and I cannot stress this enough) FIONA.

3.5 / 5