That was lovely, the artwork is beautiful and reflects the tone of the nerrative so well. I don't usually read stories about older protagonists and it's such an interesting perspective. This made me think a lot about how there's a "mold" do fit your life in after you reach a certain point, and most people get stuck in it, retreating into themselves bit by bit every day. Josy's journey into freeing herself from that mold was so interesting, even though it could seem a little unrealistic at certain points due to the shortness of this work.

My thanks to Europe Comics and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

It was an interesting story. I liked the plot and art. The colouring was mostly dark cool colours that fit into the winter aesthetic.

I like Aimee de Jongh's art and I totally agree with the central idea of the story - that nobody, no matter how old, should have to settle, and should make every effort to be as happy as they can be/be their own selves, until you're dead. But the main character is so unlikeable - she's just a grumpy old lady. Worse, she abandons the one good thing that came of her decision, went back to what made her unhappy, then reversed the same decision - so the person she loved died for nothing! What a horrible person. And a pointless story too. Really don't get what we were meant to take away from it all. Have the courage of your convictions and don't go back on them ever? Whatever. Not a comic for me unfortunately.

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Sixty Years in Winter
By Ingrid Chabbert, Aimée de Jongh

If you have 20 minutes to spare, you could do worse than treat yourself to this beautifully illustrated graphic novel about Josy, who is sitting on her bed thinking, while her husband, children and grandchildren are putting the finishing touches to her 60th birthday cake.

If this reminds you of the opening of The One Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window, you wouldn't be wrong, because Yes! After 35 years of marriage it's time for Josy to listen to that little voice in her head and....Go!

I don't know how this author and illustrator did it, but in 119 pages of comic strip they have created a fully developed set of characters. Josy is a bit curmudgeonly, but oh so brave.

20 minutes of reading, but hours upon hours of flicking back to fully appreciate the artwork and the emotional ride.

Thanks to #netgalley for allowing me to enjoy this beautiful graphic novel

#bookreview
#graphicnovel
#sixtyyearsinwinter
@ingridchabbert
@aimeedejongh

A different take in a usual traditional relationship, husband & wife turned into something unexpected when the main character (wife) decided to leave on her 60th birthday. Trying to find herself and in the middle of it, found a different kind of friendship.

Was surprised with this story plus the fact that the main character is older compared to the mainstream LGBQT characters who are younger. Will make you think why did she leave and what's she wants to prove.

Overall its a good graphic novel.

Thank you Europe Comics & Netgalley for the ARC.


3.6/5 stars

It's Josy's 60th birthday and she's done with living the dreary life she's led for 33 years.

She announces to her family she's leaving and goes.

Oh this adventure she makes friends with a young mother, meets a group of women like her and discovers new love. She is also faced with a constant barrage of judgment from her kids and husband.

When she loses a spark before it even had a chance to burn she thinks going back to what she knew is what she should do, but can it work after she's had a taste of freedom?

A touching story about a woman who decides to finally live life on her own terms. The storytelling is beautiful and the artwork is gorgeous, but the ending is so abrupt and sudden that the story seems rushed, unfinished even. The love story was beautiful and the plot twist shocking. My rating comes from a place of need, a need for hope that our protagonist is left without.

This was a beautiful and emotional story. A quick read that will appeal to anyone who has ever daydreamed about running away from a life they no longer want. The art is perfect and complements the tone of the writing in just the right way, and I so love the title! There are so many layers, so much depth to these characters, I would happily read this again and again.

A great graphic novel tells a story through its illustrations as well as it does the text. The art and text combined made for a sweet story of 60 year old Josey’s midlife crisis. The emotions and expressions you see in the illustrations add so much to the story and help you to connect to what the characters are going through. This is a story of self-discovery and finding that the people who matter most in your life may not always be family.

I loved this so much! This graphic novel tells a story of a newly 60-year-old Josie, who is for years unhappy in her personal life. She decides to leave her family on the day of her birthday and start again, alone but free. Josie tries to navigate this new situation and reconnects with what makes her truly happy. First of all, the artwork is beautiful and engaging. I loved how the colours reflected the mood in which Josie was. Secondly, I loved the unusual plot of the story that focuses on the more elderly generation that can get often forgotten in literature and media in general. I am sure that the beautiful message that it is never too late to try to live the life you want will speak to many readers no matter their age.