So Much for Love is a graphic novel I need all my friends to read. It’s about self-love, toxic relationships, and knowing you’re not alone. It’s a graphic novel I needed to read about a decade ago and am sincerely thinking about gifting to all my friends. Keep reading this book review for my full thoughts.
Summary
Sophie had always been cynical about love—until she meets Marcus. His affection and doting praise melt away her defenses. The beginning of their relationship was a whirlwind romance, but over time she finds herself on uneven footing. Marcus lies. He’s violently angry and bewilderingly inconsistent. Yet somehow he always manages to explain away his behavior and to convince Sophie that it’s all in her head. Sophie comes to realize that she’s become trapped in a cycle of abuse with someone with narcissistic personality disorder.
Once she gets out of the relationship, Sophie turns her pen to documenting the experience in this bracing, hilarious, and empathetic graphic novel, full of advice to any readers who may be in similar straits.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
This graphic novel helped me process so many pieces of my past. It examines not only the building of a toxic relationship, but it contains supremely helpful checklists and diagrams which break down these emotional cycles. So Much for Love is heart wrenching. Not only are the panels drawn with graphic lines, but also Lambda colors the world with specific emphasis. While the beginning of So Much for Love is mostly the storytelling, the second half is so full of information, I had to take some breaks to process it all.
So Much for Love examines how they cover up fears and insecurities. How all the twisting, gaslighting, and manipulating. Not going to lie, the middle of So Much for Love had my heart in my throat. But it ends with helpful resources which I know will be so illuminating for people. It breaks down in diagrams and explanations ways to process, the signs and flags, and the knowledge you aren’t alone. I would recommend it to anyone you know in your life who might still be dating or even just still processing a past relationship.
Find So Much for Love on Goodreads, Amazon, Indiebound & The Book Depository.