Books like Epileptic by David B.

David B.'s graphic autobiography chronicles his early life in a small town near Orléans, France, until his older brother Jean–Christophe develops epilepsy at eleven. In a desperate quest for relief, the family travels to acupuncturists, magnetic therapists, mediums, and a macrobiotic commune, each attempt ending in disappointment. Angered by perceived abandonment and fraudulent cures, David channels his frustrations into elaborate battle scenes that serve as visual windows into his internal experience. The work also weaves in flashbacks to his grandfather’s wartime experiences, linking personal turmoil to broader historical trauma. Through its honest and stark portrayal, the book offers a compelling look at the disease’s effects on family dynamics and the enduring struggle to confront fear and loss.

First publish date: 2005