All the feels are felt in Craig Thompson’s bleak, yet charmingly illustrated Good-bye, Chunky Rice. Thompson contrasts the yearn to move on, discover oneself, and explore new places with the desire to stay where things are familiar in Good-bye, Chunky Rice. Written in the wake of his move from Wisconsin to Portland, Oregon, Thompson explores the topic of loss through each of the characters, and how difficult and painful saying goodbye to loved ones can be.
In his debut graphic novel, Craig Thompson introduces us to Chunky Rice, a mostly silent turtle who outgrows his hometown and embarks on a maritime journey, accompanied by a pair of conjoined twins and the captain of the ship. Unfortunately, he has to leave his best deer mouse friend behind.