A New Jerusalem

(Paperback)

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Description

A boy's traumatized father comes home from the Second World War, but can't make the transition to civilian life.

Eleven-year-old Ralph lives with his mother, plays in bombed-out buildings and dreams of the day his father will come home and tell him of all his heroic battles. But when his father actually does come back, he is far from what Ralph expected: his father is sullen, withdrawn and refuses to discuss the war at all.

Susceptible to fits of crying and uncontrollable rages, his behaviour starts to directly impact Ralph and his mother, and the community around them. This is a beautifully observed and sensitive portrayal that will help readers understand post traumatic stress disorder.

Reviews

`Benjamin Dickson's powerful and thought-provoking graphic novel dramatically portrays the dehumanising effects of war, while vividly evoking the atmosphere of post-war Britain. The fact that the painstaking research behind A New Jerusalem is invisible but working hard beneath the surface is a tribute to the author's storytelling skills.' Bryan Talbot (Grandville, The Tale of One Bad Rat); `A truly heartfelt and gut-wrenching story with art to match. Very original, and had me hooked from page one.' Charlie Adlard (The Walking Dead); `Terrific' David Lloyd (V for Vendetta)

Author Bio

Benjamin Dickson is a writer, artist and lecturer whose previous works include Fight the Power! (with Sean Michael Wilson et al). He has had many short stories published in Britain, America and Germany, and has also co-produced several freely available graphic novels on the subject of climate change. He has done extensive artsbased charity work with vulnerable adults, including survivors of domestic abuse and PTSD, and believes art to be the greatest of all therapeutic practices. He lives and works in Bristol.