A graphic novel discussing the clasic debate of nature vs nurture, but on the topics of trauma and fatherhood. Of course, trauma is inherited. In the children of Holocaust survivors and their offspring their brains resembled the brain chemistry and makeup of a person who underwent trauma, despite not being directly exposed to it.

Trauma alters your brain, behaviors, DNA etc. So of course, offspring of slaves, Holocaust survivors, domestic violence survivors etc are more susceptible. One could argue nature vs nature, in which it's more of a matter of nature, but in Pat's case it could be nature too. If trauma remains unaddressed, it can be harmful, but even if it is addressed, there's nothing you can do to prevent on an onset of mental illness if the gene is present.

Also in Pat's case, this seems to be the issue hence, when put in an environment (nature) with a stressful situation (raising his kids most of the time while Ester was gone). Therefore, the trauma responses from his dad, (and if he does have an illness), is almost given permission to become present according to the diathesis stress model. In this case, the behaviors from his dad (which I'm sure is a trauma response) are the same behaviors Pat is sometimes tempted to follow through on.

This book made me think a lot. A bit too pretentious at some times, but mainly underwhelming. Thank God he didn't turn this into a film. I also had trouble getting into the book until about 55% in. I also struggled to pay attention a lot because the art, which I felt could of been more engaging. It was so smoky and lacking detail a lot of the time. I had trouble figuring out what was going on in some panels.

2.5 rounded up.
Clay Footed Giants is about two dads who assume a more prominent parenting role in their child’s life’s due to their wife’s working. Both men have past trauma that they are trying to work through, and are struggling taking care of their kids.

I have a few thoughts on this book. I did not like the many different stereotypes being thrown into the book. I also did not like the main character pat, as I found his complaining about taking care of his kids and then going on to neglect them, insufferable. I also thought the story had drastic jumps in setting that could become a little confusing. Overall this book was pretty good and I really liked the illustrations.

Thank you netgalley and MadCave Studios for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you netgalley and MadCave Studios for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review!

This graphic novel is so intense, insightful and thematically strong that I almost found myself taking notes, trying to figure it all out. The structure is a bit chaotic and hard to follow, but I guess it’s in line with the complexity of the story itself, mixing trauma, history, family issues, masculinity and fatherhood. Did I like all the conclusions it drew? No, but since it’s autobiographical, I take the experience as it is.

It may be the right pick for you if you liked Maus by Art Spiegelman, for its recollection of the horrors of the war from a generational point of view. However, it lacks Spiegelman's ability to be clear and concise despite the layers and complexity of the events. It makes sense: as I mentioned earlier, the focus in Clay Footed Giants is trauma while Maus deals mostly with memory.

My four kids abolutley LOVED this book! IT was really cute and the story was full of adventures! I hightly recommend this kids boo

Despite my best efforts, I found it challenging to immerse myself in this story. While the overall message is commendable, the journey to convey it didn't resonate with me, both in terms of storytelling and art style.

Well, well, well, what do we have here?
Clay Footed Giants was right up my street.
It is a layered, sophisticated and relatable story of being human (being traumatised in our family lives, traumatising our children, juggling work, parenthood and life, epigenetics, genetics, circumstances, regrets, reflections, acceptance, forgiveness….).
The characters and the illustrations are amazing.
I read this in one sitting because it was so gripping.
Several of the themes and some of the specific circumstances of the characters were familiar to me, and some other not. A deep meditation on life. It is at times witty. The friendships in this book are great and the family life is depicted realistically. Even without the veterans aspect, families are like this and “we all have that uncle”.
I hope to read more by this duo. I would have liked a coloured version of this graphic novel.