More often than not, I end up reviewing books largely based around experiences I haven't had myself. When you work largely in the world of sci-fi and fantasy, that's going to be a given. In more down-to-earth works, I have to acknowledge when an aspect of the fiction is beyond me, and talk about what I can comment on. And that's definitely the case with Constellations, the debut graphic novel of Kate Glasheen.

Set in the 1980s, Constellations starts as a scribbly, stream-of-consciousness memoir from the point of view of narrator Claire, eventually unfolding into a more straightforward account. Both at school and at home, Claire has a severe sense of not belonging—mostly by virtue of not fitting strictly into most people's perception of what defines a "girl." To cope with this pressure, Claire (like much of their family) turns to drinking... eventually landing in a youth rehab program.

The bulk of the story takes place in this program. Each young addict has their own addiction of choice, from food to hard drugs. Each has their own reasons for turning to these things. And their counselor, Charlie, is here to help all of them through it for the long haul.

While Constellations digs deep into questions of gender identity and sexuality, it is at its heart a story about mental health and recovery. The psychology is worth reflecting on: the idea of feelings being valid while not necessarily being reasonable, how to come back from a relapse, and where to look for one's own self-worth and support systems. It also touches on the difficulties of being a minor in search of mental health resources when one's parents may not think you're in need of them. Regrettably, not everyone in this story necessarily gets a happy ending... be it through their own actions or those of their legal guardians'.

The art of Constellations is rough and ripped, which works both for and against it at varying times. It perfectly encapsulates Claire's mood and offers inventive ways of juxtaposing imagination with reality. At times, though, the eye can get lost, and not necessarily in an intended thematic way. (It's clearly intentional early on, as we first wade into Claire's disjointed thoughts.) The fact that the style occasionally swallows the substance might be a deal-breaker for a storied artist; but for an author-artist debut, it's hopefully a sign of strong vision waiting to evolve alongside increasingly strong structure.

Regardless of the reader's familiarity with the subject matter or the experiences of the protagonist, Constellations has a positive message about support systems, finding the truth of yourself, and the importance of acknowledging and processing trauma. I look forward to seeing more from Glasheen in future.

Constellations is now available.