Thornhill

Definitely TW for awful bullying and suicide.

This is the story of Mary, a girl at an institution for orphaned girls in Chester, England, in 1982, told through her diary entries. She has no friends, she is terribly bullied, all the adults but one suck, one girl is particularly vicious–but she makes puppets and dolls, which is hella cool. I want to be this girl's friend. But she's anxious, socially anxious, and miserable–and an easy target for horrible people, especially in 1982, when adults were still apparently especially horrible. She's blamed for being bullied. Her story escalates until something awful happens.

Cut to today. Interspersed throughout this novel and between different entries in Mary's diary, another story unfolds, told through pictures. It is the story of Ella, living with her businessman father who is away the entire duration of the tale on a business trip. Her mother is not in the picture; we aren't told exactly why.

She has newly arrived at the house next door to Mary's institution, but it is now 2017. Ella is unpacking and sees a girl next door through her window. And her curiosity is piqued. What happens is a sweet story about a lonely ghost girl finding a friend, and it will give you all the feels.

Until the last few pages, when Jacob moves into Ella's old house, and you realize things have actually gotten a bit sinister.

Mary's story is upsetting but all too real. Ella's is less cruel, but she's as lonely in her way. The art is lovely and adds a poignancy to the whole thing. But this is not for anyone who will be upset by the bullying and the suicidal elements.