The Effects Of Pickled Herring (TEOPH or EOPH) is a story that Alex Schumacher has spent a lot of time on over the years. Sharing bits here and there on Social Media like Twitter and gaining the curiousity of folks like myself to tide us over until it finally released for our eyeballs to see and read. Micah, our lead kiddo, is an introspective sort trying to learn a few things in order to be prepared for his and his sister Alana’s upcoming B’nai Mitzvah. Something I’d honestly never heard of before until I started to read this as its not often I read or watch something involving a heavy amount of Jewish content. So if that sort of thing isn’t for you, then turn back now. Or don’t and actually give EOPH a chance as not only is it something an adult should read but is also perfect for kids as they especially can relate to certain issues young kids deal with. Like growing up, dealing with bullies, and sibling dynamics.
Though I can totally relate with Micah in preferring certain things over cars as I’ve never quite seen the appeal either other than at least recognizing the fact some look pretty darn cool.
And then of course, there’s Alana, who is practically the complete opposite of Micah and his spazzy freak out self that worries and over thinks too (can relate!) much. Which isn’t something he likes as for him, it just makes things difficult and given how she acts, I don’t blame him for how he feels. She’s young, like him, 10 months apart but she’s also at that age where certain societal norms are having an influence on her and it makes Alana kinda bratty. Wanting to diet when she definitely doesn’t need to be worrying about that sort of thing. It all definitely makes for a stark contrast between the two that Micah just hasn’t figured out how to deal with yet and probably will take a bit longer for him.
Alex does such a great job with that whole thing and makes me wonder if he’s had his own experiences like that. Which often can be a great method to use for story telling. And then there’s the kids’ grandmother, who as we see and learn, is suffering from one of Life’s afflictions that occur in some folks as they reach advanced age.
That being Alzheimers. A disease that has more than 3 million cases alone per year in the US. And that, in addition to the stress of young teenage life, ends up causing some friction in the family due to Micah not handling things all that well. Which is completely understandable given how young he is and kids at that age can be assholes. But at the end of the day, despite the differences between Micah and Alana, they have each other’s backs when it matters the most. I know I personally didn’t want to stop reading this once the story really got going and honestly, I felt a little saddened yet proud of Micah for how he handles things with his grandmother at the end of the story despite how young he is and only recently becoming a man in the eyes of his family and their traditions.
This is a story that at 251 pages, is about youth and dealing with various things that comes with growing up and occasionally dealing with things you might not expect to deal with at the age of 12 and so forth. Its heartfelt, and perhaps a little cringe where Alana’s concerned in that way you want to fast forward through a scene you know isn’t the greatest for one reason or another.
This is a story that’s also educational in its own ways where Jewish terminology and traditions are concerned and as well as where Alzheimers is concerned. The art for this story, while cartoony despite the more serious nature that the story’s themes have, doesn’t take away from those serious themes. At least… It doesn’t for me. Alex did such a fantastic job with this story and I’m curious to see if he’ll do more with the idea or if this is it. But regardless, I am looking forward to reading more of his work and I highly recommend everyone doing the same. Especially with The Effects of Pickled Herring where one becomes the caretaker instead of the cared for.
Editor’s Note: You can head here to Mango for your own copy of EOPH or head to Amazon!
The Effects Of Pickled Herring: A Graphic Novel
Mango Publishing
Written, Drawn, and Colored by: Alex Schumacher
Reviewer: Rob Wrecks
Summary: This coming-of-age tale offers a poignant reflection on growing up, sibling relationships, and the enduring bonds of family, making it an essential read for kids ages 8-12.
Embark on a journey of self-discovery and acceptance. The Effects of Pickled Herring by Alex Schumacher is a poignant coming-of-age graphic novel. As 12-year-old Micah Gadsky and his spirited sister Alana prepare for their dual bar and bat mitzvah, they grapple with a family secret that unravels their understanding of faith and identity. Micah’s introspective nature and Alana’s outgoing spirit collide, leading them to confront the complexities of growing up, and ultimately, the enduring power of familial bonds.
