This graphic novel was well drawn, organized and deep. I found myself really connecting with the characters. The exploration of the stages of grief and reconnecting with a lost parent really got my in my feels.

Talking to My Father’s Ghost by Alex Krokus from Chronicle Books is an easy-to-follow graphic novel that deals with the weight of grief from losing a parent. The vignettes perfectly portray the minutiae that goes into planning a funeral and familial encounters, but then moves into a ghost tale where unspoken life lessons are told. It’s honest and relatable. Any reader who has experienced the loss of a parent or someone who might just want to know about the process would enjoy reading this graphic novel.
Thank you to Chronicle Books and NetGalley for this ARC.

Really enjoyed this one! I like how the author depicted himself and his family as animals. The humor was great and I appreciated how he tackled death head on. Typically when reading memoirs about dead family members, I prefer ones where the relationship was more fraught/complicated, just because of my own experiences, but overall, this was a solid read and well done.

This was so cute! Warming and heartfelt. I do wish some of the other topics were explored. And I really enjoyed the mashup of animals in the family tree. Very touching story! 4.5/5

This episodic story was a really dynamic exploration of grief. Despite the heaviness of the subject matter, Krokus manages to infuse this story with humor and lightheartedness. It's fully earnest and heartfelt, and the love Krokus has for each character really shines through.

Thank you to NetGalley & Chronicle Books for a digital ARC. This was the first book from Alex Krokus that I’ve read. The story is a mostly true journey through the authors grief of his father’s passing. Wouldn’t we all like to have the ghost of a loved one with us as we grieve their loss?

I enjoyed the authors use of animals to portray all of the characters. The story starts with authors father dying in hospice care and brings us along with him as he copes with the lose by talking to his fathers ghost as grieves. While talking to his fathers ghost, they reflect on events throughout their lives and gives the author a new perspective on them and helps him appreciate his father more and his relationships with his mother and brother.

A touching graphic novel memoir with a good sense of humor. I loved the short chapters, simple art style, and humor that made room for the deeper feelings of grief and gratitude. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

A well written book about the challenges you face when dealing with the loss of a parent. Alex, the main character, struggles with the loss of his dad and a semi young age. Instead of just bearing through it, his dad manifests himself as a ghost that follows him around and tells him stories. This heartfelt story follows the journey of these earthy son and ghostly father as they navigate loss together. Alex learns about the different stages of grief and how to navigate each stage through self discovery. A truly compelling novel.

This introspective graphic novel was a delight. The depiction of grief and family was eloquent and the representation was beautiful and meaningful. I hope that this is the launching of a career that makes all Krokuses proud.

I was a little worried by the family tree not seeming to have a clear rational for some members on both sides of the family looking alike, but it was cleared up allegorically over the course of the book to my eyes.

ARC provided by NetGalley.

I thought this was a great graphic novel. The art style was cool, though I didn't vibe with animals as characters, mainly when they're a family but aren't the same types of animals to help keep track of who is who, but overall with the main characters you know who they are so it's okay. I think this was such an interesting way to go through someone's grief and it may help others process as well. As a fan of dark humor, this went over well for me. Great job.

Inspired by real-life experience, Alex Krokus's graphic novel is a heartfelt and humorous story of losing a parent and getting to know him better after his passing.

Set over the course of a year, Alex Krokus tells us a story of his father dying at a young age. It's an all to familiar story of a life that coulda, shoulda, been longer. His father had some seriously bad habits, drinking too much, eating too much, working too much. But he seemed to have been a good father who loved his family and did everything to make their lives easier and better.
After Alex's father passes, he begins to see his ghost and gets the chance to talk to him about all the things he wishes he had talked about before he left.
What a wonderful chance to have! A gift that nothing can compare to. You not only get to see that , yes, they are ok in the afterlife but that they are still here for you.
I know I would love a chhance to have a few more conversations with my dad. Maybe get some of the answers my little kid self asked that he thought I was too young to understand the answer to, who knows. If nothing to reinforce that I was loved by him and am more like him then I never knew.
Alexis Krokus has given all of us who have known greif a true gift with his story and art. Thank you.

Highly recommended. Expected publishing date August 05, 2025

Thanks to @netgalley and Chronical Books for the opportunity to read this eArc in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.

Alex has a typical teen relationship with his father - until he dies. Through the grieving process Alex is visited by his father’s ghost, who answers some of Alex’s questions and gives him advice to help him through the grief process. Interwoven into the story are Alex’s eclectic extended family members who have their own ideas about what grief should look like. “Talking to my Father’s Ghost” is based on the life and memories of Alex Krokus, giving an honest yet often humorous look at facing death as a teenager. I definitely will include this in my classroom library.

This graphic novel, clearly a deeply personal project for Alex Krokus, offers a raw and emotional look at grief and the complex process of saying goodbye to a parent. Inspired by real-life experience, the narrative follows Alex as he grapples with his father's passing, accompanied by his dad's ghost. Their interactions, ranging from mundane life advice to more profound discussions, aim to capture the enduring presence of a lost loved one.

However, the book's strength in its authenticity also becomes a bit of a drawback. It often reads less like a fully developed story and more like a personal journal or a therapeutic exercise. The episodic nature of their encounters—strolling on beaches, camping, sharing diner meals—can feel disjointed at times, making it difficult to find a strong narrative arc. While these moments are undoubtedly significant for Alex's grieving process, as a reader, the impact can be diminished.

The attempts to weave in heavier topics like Alex's bisexuality and his father's struggles with drinking feel a bit underdeveloped. They're touched upon, but not fully explored, leaving the reader wanting more depth beyond the immediate emotional processing. Ultimately, while genuinely heartfelt and a commendable effort in navigating personal loss, the graphic novel's structure and execution make it feel more like a private reflection shared publicly rather than a cohesive story designed for broader engagement.

4.5
Alex’s father passes of lung cancer. Shortly after his death, his father begins to haunt him. His father joins him on a trip to the beach and to the desert and Vegas. They talk about life and his father continues to give him advice on shoveling snow and finding something to do with his life.

This book was funny and imaginative book about grief. Krokus pays tribute to His father. I really love all the stories that everyone in the book shares about his father. There is a whole cast of characters including childhood friends and family. He even asks each family member advice on how to cope with grief. I think this would be good to share with others that are dealing with grief.

Thank you to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for providing me a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Wow, I was not expecting to love "Talking to My Father's Ghost" as much as I did! Alex Krokus has crafted a truly touching graphic memoir that hits all the right notes. The story follows Alex as he navigates the ups and downs of grief after losing his father to cancer. Truly a unique take on the whole grieving process.

As someone who has also lost my father, this book resonated with me on such a deep level. Krokus captures the complexity of grief perfectly, and I found myself relating to Alex's journey. The way he processes his emotions and reflects on his relationship with his dad brought back so many memories for me. It felt like I was walking alongside him, sharing those moments of longing and laughter.

What I loved most is how Krokus blends humor with heartache. There are moments that had me laughing out loud, even while dealing with such a heavy topic. It’s like he found a way to make grief relatable and even a little fun at times. The illustrations are gorgeous, too—super colorful and reminiscent of childhood comics, which added a nostalgic touch.

The conversations Alex has with his ghost dad are both hilarious and poignant. You really feel the love and the longing in their exchanges. Plus, the way he interacts with his family brings so much warmth to the story. It’s a reminder that even in loss, our loved ones continue to shape who we are.

If you’re looking for a graphic novel that’s equal parts funny and heartfelt, this is it! After finishing it, I found myself reflecting on my own experiences with loss.

Highly recommend this book to anyone who’s ever lost someone special or just loves a good story about family and connection. Trust me, you’ll want to pick this one up when it comes out!

Thanks to NetGallery for the arc

A story about the process of dealing with grief and how it can differ from person to person.
The portrayal of grief was really relatable to me as I too once was dealing with the loss of a loved one.
I loved the use of watercolor for coloring as it gave the story a very soft look.
Overall a very touching, sometimes witty and heartfelt graphic novel.

A bit long in the tooth, the book is an examination of grief. It's very clear this is the author working through his grief, but some better editing could have been done on what stories to include, and which to leave. It'll be good for readers who like real stories told from animal's perspectives.

Thank you to Chronicle Books and NetGalley for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for a review.

Creator of Loud and Smart, Alex shares the loss of his father and the events/emotions/reflections that follow. Exuding his trademark humor, the comic delivers a resonating story for anyone who has lost a parent.

As a fellow member of the Dead Dad Club, there were so many ways I related to the grief on the pages. The jokes, reaching out to share stories and memories, imagining what my dad would say in a situation. Feeling like through the lessons he taught and his advice, he's never really fully gone.

So many times I would take a break from reading just to reflect on memories or funny moments from my dad, and I really am appreciative of this book for that.

A lighthearted read on a difficult topic. It felt like having a conversation with a friend, where you can joke about the dark stuff and smile while remembering.

This comic is done in such a cute style but the story is very relatable. Alex loses his father at a young age to cancer and the grieving process he goes through dealing with his death all while seeing the ghost of his father. The stories of Alex’s father and the comments he makes reminds me of my own father. Love the art style and colors used in this comic