On a Sunbeam by Tillie Walden

On a Sunbeam by Tillie Walden

Initially a webcomic that transitioned to book format, On a Sunbeam is superficially science-fiction but really a whimsical kind of science-fantasy (or maybe fantasy in space would be a better definition). It's the story of Mia who has just left school and joins a crew that restores old buildings for commercial purposes. We get a lot of flashbacks of Mia's years in school and particularly her relation to Grace, which in many ways shapes what she is today, warts and all. At some point, as they must, these two stories converge and illuminate a lingering mystery about the world. Besides the (engrossing) story itself, On a Sunbeam is also an unspoken statement about genre as not a single character is male in the book. Where have the men gone ? No one discusses it. It creates a weird and wonderful vibe like few I've felt before. In that sense perhaps, the book is more science-fiction than science-fantasy. The artwork is wonderful although not always very legible. I believe that to be deliberate, but I suspect at times my rational brain just cannot satisfy itself with "pretty". Anyway, a fantastic discovery, highly recommended.