Didn't capture my attention and engagement. Interested in trying it again though and hopefully it will take.

One of the best graphic novels I've read. This is a graphic novel done right, text and art in perfect harmony. The story, y'all! Such a great story. Our MC Kumiko is 76, and widowed. Her daughters have gotten her into an assisted living facility, but Kumiko doesn't feel right there, something seems off. So, she packs up what she can carry, and bones out. Unfortunately, something follows her......
Kumiko rents an apartment and starts enjoying her independence. She can eat what and when she wants, do her own shopping, swim at the community pool, hang out at the library, and make new friends in the neighborhood. But she starts seeing shadows. Her pills keep disappearing. Is she imagining things? Were her daughters right, can she no longer be trusted to live alone? Or is the Shadow of Death trying to claim her? Either way, she'll fight to keep her life!
This story has so many feels! It's really funny, for one thing- Kumiko is one fierce old lady! The way she bargains with the shop keeper to get a deal on a vacuum was hilarious. She's relatable, too; I know a lot of those old lady feels, and I see many more of them in my future, so I can definitely relate to that. The wanting to be independent, but not knowing if you can trust yourself, ohhhh that's a tough one. I'm so glad to see this struggle represented, it's important. Then there's the creep factor- lightly done at first, building till oh my! Very nicely paced, I must say. I really enjoyed getting to know Kumiko, as well as the other characters. There's bi rep too! I'm trying not to say much about the story, because I don't want to spoil anything, but I really want to tell you all the little details that made this so good! I won't, though. Just go buy this, order it, check it out at the library, gift it to a friend and borrow it, but read this, it's so, so very good!

I received a copy of this from the publisher & #NetGalley with no strings attached, all gushing is my own and is well-deserved!

I read this graphic novel with interest and found it not only topical but funny, affecting, and thought-provoking. Happy to include it in the March edition of Novel Encounters, my column highlighting the month's top fiction for Zed Books, Zoomer magazine’s writers and reading vertical (full review at at link).

This was a really interesting and touching story. The story was a bit slow to get started but once it did I couldn't put it down. I was so drawn in not only by the story but by the art style. The art was beautiful and dynamic especially for being only in black and white and being so clean. The art is what made this story for me.
I loved the metaphor woven throughout the whole story as well. It was brilliant and pointed. I also enjoyed how the main character was relieved to be bisexual without it turning into some big ordeal or a defining character trait it was just part of her.
Overall this graphic novel was stunning. I can not wait to share it and recommend it. I am already thinking of people I know who will love it as much as I do.

This is what happens with great collaboration. The characters, text, and storyline of Shadow Life are captivating from start to end. The stylistic detail of the illustrations creates a memorable crossover between everyday and mythic realities. There is a depth and a resonance in the final product that is so much more than the sum of its individual parts. Readers of all ages and backgrounds will find a rewarding experience in this one.

Thank you to First Second Books and NetGalley for an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is a really engaging graphic novel dealing with death, autonomy, second chances, love, regret, and community. The art style was relatively sketchy, but I did like how every character was instantly identifiable and the world and settings felt real and lived in. The story was great, even if the supernatural elements seemed a little underdeveloped or explained, and it is so interesting to see a story like this with an elder protagonist, looking back on her life and yelling to the universe that her life is not yet over!

After reading the Author's Note at the end, I appreciate how the heroine of the story is an older woman who is also bisexual, though that's not really important to the plot. This is an interesting story, but I felt that it became a little bit messy once the supernatural aspect started picking up. I also found one of the daughters incredibly annoying, so thankfully, she was only in the story for a short while.

This review is based on an ARC provided by the publisher from NetGalley.

I thoroughly enjoyed this slice of life graphic novel about an aging women seeking her independence from over bearing children. It deals with a lot of the feelings of aging and trying to hang on to the idea of immortality and defeating the odds. It was quaint and homey and heartfelt, I enjoyed it.

Shadow Life is an interesting take on life and mostly on the end of it. Kumiko's daughters put her in an assisted living home, but instead she runs away and gets her own place. She doesn't tell her daughters about the location and does what she wants. She's not alone though as Death's shadow is following her and weird occurrences take place and Kumiko thinks she's losing her mind. She fights the shadow in order to stay alive and Goto makes it poetic even and the struggle of everything is skillfully done and delivered. The beginning of the book is really slow and it takes time to get the story going and the end is too quick, so the rhythm isn't fully balanced. I wish we had seen more of Kumiko's past and her life, since we only got glimpses and well, it's the most interesting part and binds her struggles into an entity of its own.

The art looks great and round with the thick line-art and simplicity to it. This could look wonderful in water colors actually. The art fits well with the melancholy and magical realism and there's this steady harmony in the art. Shadow Life shows something we hardly ever see in comics and it's very different and poetic even. Getting old is a mental struggle like no other.

Thank you NetGalley, for this Advanced Reader Copy.

I rate 3.5 stars. I did really like this story. I admit, I was ready for this story and I think that's why I liked it so much. The premise? Daughters have moved Mom into an assisted living facility that they believe is the best for her, but Mom has other ideas. Mom "escapes" (YES!) and has adventures on the outside.

I love this premise because I hope that everyone can see/understand that their parents are fully grown people who raised them and had a full life before they were even born, so it's importnat to honor their wishes as they get older.
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The story meanders a bit for me. There are some other-worldly parts that drag a bit, but I appreciate the idea of them. I like the idea of parents speaking/journeying within their illness... that they may actually experience confusion/strange ideas/weird decisions BECAUSE of their illnesses. Important for all loved ones to know.

This unexpected, magical realist graphic novel was a delightfully poignant surprise. Its focus on aging, independence, and loneliness was quiet but striking--it read like the best kind of literary fiction. And the magical elements surrounding the shadow of death were deftly incorporated--and sometimes even very funny. The art style was incredibly effective as well.

A simple yet imaginative portrayal of death and aging. If only we could all fight off death with a vacuum and a bit of salt .:)

An amazing one read story. Most of us are running from death or praying for death to leave someone else. This is Kumiko's story. You will not regret reading this. Themes of life, aging, love, children and friendship are throughout. Never stop fighting for your right to live.