Freddie and Me by Mike Dawson

Everybody knows it’s not cool to be a Queen fan. Mike Dawson knows this, and he’s written a whole book about it. Specifically, an autobiographical graphic novel explaining how his lifelong obsession with Queen has tied in with his formative experiences, followed him through every meaningful event. From his dogged rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody at a Butlins in Wales aged ten, it’s clear that he has a penchant for the melodramatic, which fits well with the teen angst and associated girlfriend dramas he goes through after emigrating to the USA. But when Freddie dies, and later when he experiences his own bereavement, it’s truly touching to see how Dawson struggles to cope with the news. Interspersed with the music and the events are introspective musings about the nature of memory, and the question of how different people experience the same moments. His engaging and sometimes hilarious artwork is a perfect companion to the narrative, and the combination of humour and tragedy make this book about far more than just being a fan. [Nine]