This graphic novel covers the very real events that happened at the Altamont festival, but it tells it through a group of fictional young people. Readers get a good introduction to them throughout their journey to the festival.

One of them serves as a jaded veteran who lost his eye in Vietnam. Another lives for Jimmy Hendrix. There’s also ‘schizo,’ an inappropriate nickname but slightly accurate. There are a few more in the group, but you should have a basic idea now.

Upon arrival at the festival, it quickly becomes clear that the Hell’s Angels are more interested in bashing in heads than in providing security, like they were paid for (in beer). By the end, several of the friends are hurt, and one even needs a hospital.

It’s a slice of life tale told via the graphic novel medium. Although it seems like it’s just a story about a group of hippies at a glance, it’s really about how badly Altamont was run. Also, it explores themes like the anti-Vietnam sentiment, rape, and the Black Panthers.

Overall, I enjoyed it, and I also liked learning about Altamont. It seems like no matter which generation you’re talking about, there will always be at least one concert mess like this.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC. This review contains my honest, unbiased opinion.

Doc and his friends are on a road trip to Altamont to see The Rolling Stones. Thousands of people, free love, drugs, what could go wrong? Honestly, this story is a lot more than that and it does reflect the period it takes place in. Soldiers didn’t come back the same from Vietnam (if they did come back). Others purposely dodged the draft into Vietnam. Friends talked about their favorite musicians. Various folks subscribed to the free love, drugs, sex, etc. However, not everyone was okay with the philosophy or lifestyles of hippies. The sixties were simply a very eventful period in the United States. This one is worth the read.

#ThxNetGalley #HerikHanna #Altamont