A graphic novel based on a traditional Inuit story passed orally through generations, The Cannibal by Soloman Awa, Louise Flahery and Raphael Ter-Stephanov is a devastating story about life in harsh times.

Ilimagasugjurjuaq was a shaman and the leader of his community. The community had many members and animals and didn’t want for anything. One fall, Ilimagasugjurjuaq found a seal hole. He continued to go back to the seal hole daily but never found a seal. At the same time, the winter was harsh and there was no meat to be had. Slowly, the community began eating the dogs, then the other members and finally Ilimagasugjurjuaq ate his children. With only his wife and him left, she knew her fate. Using her shamanic powers and keeping her strength by eating the plants, she escapes and meets a better fate than her husband.

This graphic novel is a pretty gruesome punch in the gut. One thing that I have come to admire about Inuit stories is there is no sugar coating or false hope gleaned from these stories. Life in the Arctic is hard and as such their stories are hard as well. The Cannibal is rough and brutal and a reminder about the resilience of the communities in the North.

Although the Inuit words in the story take some time to get right if you are not a fluent speaker, the rest of the story is written in simple and straightforward language. There are no flowery metaphors or long winded descriptions. It takes readers right to the heart of the story and is economical with words but vivid in illustrations and colour, allowing readers to fill in their own descriptions about the setting and the tone of the story. There is also a great understanding through the story about how communities help each other. When Ilimagasugjurjuaq’s wife arrived in a new community explaining what had happened, the people showed no mercy once Ilimagasugjurjuaq arrived, keeping his wife safe and ensuring he could never hurt anyone ever again.

Raphael Ter-Stephanov’s illustrations are dark and tormenting, reflective of the text and life in the Arctic. A dark, simple colour palette of blues and greens along with a swallowing mood perfectly conveys the tone of the story.