Wow. Just read Tamara Drewe. Fascinated not only by the story but the style of storytelling.

As a life-long comics reader I found the unfamiliar style almost distracting at first. Almost. But at every turn where I thought I'd give up, I was further drawn in.

I came to enjoy the narrative leaps, the shifting points of view and style. My sense of storytelling would lead me in one direction, only to have the characters humanity, their flaws, take the story in less predictable ways.

And yet the very satisfying resolution allowed me to let them go, knowing their stories continued 'round the bend, yet satisfied with the journey you gave me.

Even more, I felt confident I'd found an amazing talent. Reading a little about Ms. Simmonds I regretted not growing up in her country, reading her work my whole life. Work like this makes me proud of my continuing love affair with comics. The only medium this satisfying is my work in theater. Movies, music, art, literature... none of them can compete.

Thanks to Tamara Drewe, I am now on the lookout for more of your work in the States. It turns out I'd seen some without knowing it, but I will now keep my eyes peeled for your name.

-norman