Slog’s Dad by David Almond (Illustrated by Dave McKean)
Review by: Chris Singer
About the author:
David Almond is the acclaimed author of Skellig, winner of the Whitbread Children’s Award and the Carnegie Medal; Kit’s Wilderness, winner of the Smarties Award Silver Medal, Highly Commended for the Carnegie Medal, and shortlisted for the Guardian Award; and The Fire-Eaters, winner of the Whitbread Award, the Smarties Gold Award and shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal. He lives in Northumberland.
About the illustrator:
Dave McKean’s distinctive illustrations have graced several children’s books including The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish and The Wolves in the Walls (New York Times Best Illustrated Book of the Year and shortlisted for the 2006 Kate Greenaway Medal) by Neil Gaiman. Dave also provided the unique covers for Neil Gaiman’s World Fantasy Award-winning comic series The Sandman. He lives in Kent.
About the book:
Part story, part graphic novel – a tender slice of life and death from the creators of “The Savage”. Do you believe there’s life after death? Slog does. He reckons that the scruffy bloke sitting outside the pork shop is his dad come back to visit him for one last time – just like he’d said he would, just before he died. Slog’s mate Davie isn’t convinced. But how does this man know everything Slog’s dad would know? Because Slog says it really is his dad, that’s how.
My take on the book:
Slog’s Dad is a haunting yet surprisingly beautiful story told both through thoughtful prose and touching illustrations. Through the narration of Slog’s friend, Davie, we get a glimpse into Slog’s state of mind and see how truly devastating the loss of his father has been for him. Although Davie is skeptical the scruffy bloke is Slog’s father returned, he wants to believe it is him, just as we do while reading.
This is quite a short read (about 55 pages), so I don’t want to share too much about the narrative. I’ve read and re-read this three times now. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever read before, and although it’s a very melancholy story, I’m fascinated with how McKean and Almond have weaved this complex tale.
The book purposely alternates between prose and illustrations, and both uniquely reveal different parts of the same story. McKean’s illustrations are stunning and put us inside Slog’s head, showing us how he’s been coping with the enormous loss of his father. Almond’s prose fills us in on the details prior to and after Slog’s dad’s passing.
This is my first experience reading Almond and McKean. I’m interested in checking out their previous work. I’m not sure if this book is meant as a kid’s book. I saw where it was recommended on Amazon for kids ages 4-8. Not that it can’t be shared with kids that age, I just don’t think they’ll understand it. I could be wrong though. My first guess would
Skellig was also unusual – I liked it but . . . hmmm, it’s just not for everyone perhaps. Thanks for the review, you’ve made me curious now.
I hope you get a chance to read it. I’m about ready to read it again for the 4th time. It’s definitely a bit unusual, but fascinating at the same time. Again, it might not be for everyone, but there’s something very beautiful about the book.