“A heart-wrenching graphic memoir about losing a child to a rare neurological disorder . . . Louis and Antal combine to create an impressive work that explores universal themes of mortality, parental love, selflessness, and resilience . . . A spare account of a short life that will leave readers feeling both uplifted and emotionally drained.” —Kirkus, *starred* review
When Rick and Emily’s infant son Ronan is diagnosed with Tay-Sachs, an incurable neurological disorder, they are faced with the practical and emotional hurdles of parenting and loving their son—despite the shadow of inevitable loss. Rick Louis narrates this original graphic memoir, with illustrator Lara Antal translating the space that Ronan occupies before, during, and after his life, using flights of fancy and imagination to express the bizarre, heartbreaking, and sometimes even silly reality of human beings suddenly trapped in an impossible situation.
Ronan and the Endless Sea of Stars (Abrams ComicArts; November 15, 2022; U.S.
$24.99; Hardcover) is a graphic memoir for fans of Liana Finck’s Passing for Human and Tom Hart’s Rosalie Lightning. It is a story of warmth and of heartbreak—about finding joy in life, no matter how long or short that life might be.
“Even for the hypervigilant parent-to-be, author Rick Louis reminds us that there are situations you just can’t prepare for. Lara Antal’s art guides the reader into the soaring, starry sky of dreams and profound darkness of nightmares in this story of the huge love and unimaginable heartbreak of losing a child.”
—Ellen Forney, New York Times bestselling author of Marbles
“For anyone who’s been tasked with loving someone who is leaving—a book about being as present as you can for them.” —Tom Hart, author of Rosalie Lightning
Ronan and The Endless Sea of Stars, like the best nonfiction, is honest and observant. Only someone who had lived this story could have written it, and only a writer as brave as Rick Louis would have been as truthful, with a sharp eye for tiny, telling details . . . It’s a heartbreakingly beautiful book.”—Brian Fies, author of Mom’s Cancer and A Fire Story
About the Author
Rick Louis was born in New York City and raised by Star Trek. After college and a year on the road as a circus roustabout, he managed to get a couple of plays produced off-off-Broadway. Relocating to Los Angeles, he worked as a writer on movie scripts and sketch comedy. As a tattooed vegan on a bike, he eventually moved to Portland, Oregon, where he works as a freelance writer and editor.
About the Illustrator
Lara Antal is an artist who loves black humor, black coffee, and colorful characters. Her work has appeared in places like The Washington Post and theSkimm and has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, WNYC, the Huffington Post, Bustle, and more. She currently resides in Brooklyn with her almost toothless chihuahua, Chuck.
About the Book
Ronan and the Endless Sea of Stars By Rick Louis; Illustrated by Lara Antal Abrams ComicArts / November 2022 U.S. $24.99 / CAN $31.99
Hardcover with jacket / 160 pages
6 x 9″ / Full-color illustrations throughout ISBN: 978-1-4197-5108-0
Also available as an e-book
RONAN AND THE ENDLESS SEA OF STARS A Graphic Memoir By Rick Louis Illustrated by Lara Antal
On sale: November 15, 2022