Are You Listening? follows two young women who are both running from things in the past. They find a lost cat at a gas station with a tag reading 'West, Texas', a town neither of them have heard of and doesn't appear on any map. Their journey to return the cat to her owner leads them onto strange roads and through sinister towns, but through it they find a safety and vulnerability in each other that could enable them to heal from their past wounds.

Tillie Walden's artwork is incredibly evocative when it comes to emotion and atmosphere. I really enjoyed the mysteriousness of the magical realism elements in this graphic novel. However, the narrative was a bit lacking-- if the plot had been tightened up, I think the story would have been even more impactful.

TW: death of a parent, off-page sexual abuse / rape / incest

I really liked the book ! The main character was liakable and I loved the plot ,I wish it was longer tho ,to enjoy it a little bit more

Everything I have read by Tillie Walden is fantastic, and never the same. Walden says a lot through her drawings, or settings, or any other way than outright saying it. Two women become a pair of travelers with a shared pain/trauma. They are not instantly best friends, they are not romantic partners, and they are hesitant about trusting one another. There are magical elements but the focus of the story is Lou and Bea. They both learn to trust each other and open up about their past but there is no romance involved.

Beautiful, gorgeous graphic novel. Tillie Walden's books are always a treat, and this book is an absolute treasure.

Tillie Walden always tells powerful stories. I am not really into the sci-fi/fantasy genre but she mixes enough of that with realistic situations for me to find her work enjoyable. Deft handling of some difficult themes in this one as well.

Are You Listening? takes a simple conceit of a road trip and turns into a quiet, introspective study of heartbreak, grief, and identity. Bea and her adult acquaintance Lou find themselves unlikely companions on a road trip through Texas. There are many wordless panels as the Bea and Lou start their trip, but they soon open up to one another. We discover that the two women have two things in common: both are gay, and neither is going somewhere so much as escaping something. Bea is fleeing sexual abuse by a cousin and the shame that has prevented her from telling anyone; Lou is avoiding dealing with her grief following her mother's death.

As Bea and Lou drive to one of Lou's relative in a remote location in Texas, they share their own personal anecdotes and Bea works on her driving skills, they find a lost cat whose ID tag bears an address in "West, West Texas" at a rest stop. Bea names the cat Diamond, and insists they deliver her home. Up to this point the trip has been pretty normal and peaceful, but unease builds as the trio sets out for West and their surroundings become increasingly surreal. Snow falls heavily; roads appear and disappear. There's something off about the locals-who imply that the town exists only some of the time. Most bizarre are the menacing male "Road Inquiry" officers who have an aggressive interest in the cat. Lou's fierce protectiveness of Bea is mirrored by Bea's of Diamond; their growing fear and anger are reflected in a darkened palette and distorted figures, panel frames, and speech bubbles.

I got lost pretty quickly when the illustrations became surreal and took a magical realism turn. The pacing is inconsistent and I still didn't fully understand the purpose behind Diamond. I wish I got more of a backstory for Lou like we did for Bea. The protagonists and their emotions drive this story and if you can go with the odd turn into the surreal, I think Are You Listening? is worth the read.

Two people trying to outrun their pasts... holding onto secrets... worried about coming clean, and if anyone will actually hear the truth. Interesting story that meshes genres. Tough realistic fiction meets fantasy. There were parts that were a little confusing to me, but that's also why it's stayed with me for so long after reading. I wonder if I'm listening. Are there clues in the world I'm not picking up on about others in trouble, about escaping, about returning to what's important?

I love Tillie Walden! I have read every single one of her graphic novels and this did not disappoint. Walden's art style is so unique and beautiful. I absolutely love her use of color. The story is well written and raw. It will definitely leave you emotional. I highly recommend this graphic novel!

I unfortunately wasn't able to view this file before it archived, but having loved Tillie's other graphic novel 'Spinning', I will still be purchasing this for my teen collection and reading it as soon as I am able to!

I just don't get Tillie Walden's works and I feel like I'm missing something. My teen patrons eat her books up, so I will always purchase them, but I just don't get it. I will say that this is by far my favorite of her books (though again, for me that doesn't say much). I know it's terrible, but I think that if this had been the first of Walden's books that I had read, I would have probably liked it a lot.

I did not have super high hopes for this graphic novel because I do not have fond memories of my reading experience with one of Walden's previous books, Spinning. However, this one really surprised me.
Don't get me wrong: this book is weird. It has a magical realism element that sort of feels out of place but also pulls the book together in a way. It was so great to see a story of a complex female friendship between two queer women. This is certainly an emotional journey that feels a little unsettling at times. This isn't a light read, but this kind of weird introspection is what I now have come to expect from Walden.

Are You Listening tells the story of Bea and Lou as they join together on a road trip through Texas. Both are running from grief - a death and a traumatic event. As they become friends, they learn how to deal with their pasts all while trying to get to their destination and then as they try to return a stranded cat to an unknown town.

I have liked all of Tillie Walden's graphic novels, but On a Sunbeam and Are You Listening have delved into the more surreal, fantasy realm that I personally don't prefer. That isn't to say they aren't still emotional, touching, beautiful books. But for me, they sometime veer into directions I don't quite get.

Still, Tillie Walden has become a respected name in graphic novels. Her art is unique and her storytelling stands out. Are You Listening is sure to satisfy Walden's fans.

**I received an e-ARC from Netgalley**

I love Tillie Walden's blends of sci-fi and contemporary. The art was amazing, the colors were perfect, and the storyline was so engaging.

I enjoyed this graphic novel; Walden makes such beautiful art. I found the story overall to be lacking in complexity - I needed more for it to feel well-rounded and full. Love the LGBT aspect of the story, which I come to look forward to in Walden's books, and the way the two different characters handle discussing their orientation. Lovely book, but felt unfinished and left me wanting more.

As is the case with Tillie Walden, one never really knows what is real and what is magic. That is what makes for good magical realism. The art in this is five stars. It is really beautiful. The colors are almost distracting sometimes, but that is also part of the charm. I can deal with "West" Texas and all of that. Roads from nowhere to nowhere and magic cats are totally fine. My biggest issue is the way that Lou and Bea bond far too quickly and that Bea is pretty terrible to Lou who is kind of amazing. There are some parts of this book that will be hard to read for a lot of people. I don't want to spoil this, but buckle up.
Thanks to Ms Walden, First Second Books (makers of excellent graphic novels) and Net Galley for the ARC.

TW/CW: loss of a loved one, rape

If you want a story of characters and growth and support and survival, absolutely pick this gem up.

This story brings such a unique blend of serious topics and magical realism to the table. When Lou runs into Bea as she is running away, the two begin an impromptu road trip. Along the way, the two girls slowly begin to share their stories of where they currently sit in the world and form a unique but wholey complex relationship.

The two girls then pick up a stray fur baby and the story weaves itself into something magical and soul-searching. While I could expand on this, I really think you should experience the magic by yourself with little headway like I did. There is something about the blend of genres that Walden absolutely nails that doesn't need any foreshadowing from me.

I absolutely adore the way Walden can present a story on such crucial and emotional topics such as sexual assault, being queer, the complications of family relationships, loss, love and so much more, in such a unique and intriguing way. While On a Sunbeam is still by far my favourite work created by Walden, this graphic novel is something truly magical and holds its own as a fantastic story and piece of artwork.

Tillie Walden has done it again. I could spend day after day lost in the beautiful stories and worlds she crafts with both words and images. However, I must admit I wish this particular story had spent more time establishing the speculative/fantastical elements, because they come out of nowhere, and remain wholly unexplained.

What kept me here were the human elements, because Tillie Walden is a master of pouring arguably her whole heart into her characters and their stories and their struggles. I'm sitting here rooting for Bea and Lou long after I've finished the final page.

I wish I could give this book a proper review, but everything is so blurry and hard to read. I cant wait to get my hands on a physical copy though.

A road trip with magical realism? Another book written by and illustrated by phenomenal Tillie Walden? If you had high schoolers who liked On a Sunbeam, definitely share this one with them too!

Beautiful story with beautiful art. As always, Tillie Walden makes you feel and breaks your heart. Loved it. Thanks to NetGalley and First Second for the eARC.