The Boy and The Man by Terence Ang is a deeply moving and vivid exploration of resilience, fear, and hope. This graphic novel, born from the author’s personal experience with a life-altering stroke, captured my attention from the first hand-drawn quote: “there’s always something to laugh about, even when you’re crying.” The way Ang interweaves his recovery journey with imaginative storytelling makes this a powerful metaphor for the struggles and triumphs we all face.
The stroke that upends Terence’s life is heart-wrenching, not just in its physical toll but in the emotional fallout. His vulnerability is laid bare through fantastic sketch artwork as he grapples with the terrifying task of relearning how to do the most basic things. We all have moments where the ground is pulled out from under us, and this book becomes a mirror for those struggles.
What sets this graphic novel apart is the creative use of Terence’s hallucinations—a fictional “team” at his workplace. This device adds an extra layer of depth to the narrative, creating a bridge between the real and the imagined. Watching him guide these figures feels like a metaphor for his attempt to guide himself through the chaos of recovery.
The visuals in this novel are stunning. Terence’s use of bold, hand-drawn illustrations brings a sense of urgency and life to each page. There’s an emotional punch in every frame. I enjoyed how much depth was added to each scene using just shades of black and white. When color is used, it really pops.
What resonated with me the most was the book’s final line from the boy, “It gets real scary when you slide down super fast, or when the tunnel has many twists and turns and you don’t know when you’ll see the light. What if you get stuck in the tunnel?” This simple yet haunting quote feels like the heart of the novel. It’s a metaphor not only for life’s unpredictability but also for Terence’s journey through his own personal tunnel of recovery. It struck me as a universal truth about the fear of the unknown and the hope that keeps us moving forward.
The Boy and The Man left me both heartbroken and uplifted. It’s a raw, honest reflection of life itself, how it’s sometimes messy, often uncertain, but always moving toward the light, no matter how twisted the path may be.
Author Terence Ang has adapted his successful first novel, “A Cry in the Dark,” into a graphic novel aptly named “The Boy And The Man,” making this his fourth book. The graphic nature of this read makes it extremely accessible to all, providing a more diverse and integrated reading experience. The messages from this read jump off the page, giving readers a more vibrant, tangible, and relatable read.
Beginning with a powerful foreword and preface, we are transported to a playground as Terence falls and begins telling the boy who finds him his history. Once a powerful marketing professional, his stroke has allowed him to use his talents in a new way, spreading his story to the masses and creating a community for other stroke survivors, caregivers, and professionals.
Ang’s books stand out to me as they are truly an experience. After his stroke in 2020, Terence has brought his experiences, his outlook, and his perspective to all who crack the pages. Using his writing and his drawing skills he has created an outlet for his own recovery. Ang’s books leave no reader unaffected. Unlike most books, full of words on white pages, Ang’s books have hardly any white at all. Each of his novels comes with a full experience, in vivid color, with hand drawn artistry, making his books an adventure, waiting to educate all who read them.
Bridget Ball
A testament of courage and perseverance,The Boy and the Man is a compelling graphic novel highlighting the exploration of resilience and recovery that stems from the raw experience of his earlier work A Cry In the Dark. The narrative begins with Ang's stroke-a harrowing event that leads to a profound transformation in his life. The shock of losing his abilities sets the stage for an emotional journey that many readers can relate to. Ang's profound vulnerability shines through as he illustrates the trials of relearning basic skills while juggling a deep sense of despair and loss. His journey has authenticity that resonates with readers and makes them actually aware of the tenacity of the human spirit.
As the story unfolds, Ang introduces a captivating element of psychological exploration through the personification of his "team" at work. His clever use of the characters emphasizes how his past achievements interact with current vulnerabilities. The story is a blend of reality and imagination which paints a picture of Ang's emotional state, inviting readers to engage with his struggles on a personal level.
The book is powerful in its message of hope and recovery. This story is a reminder for anyone fighting their own battles and reminds us that healing is tangled with setbacks and achievements alike. Through this graphic novel Ang not only shares his personal story but also encourages readers to confront their fears and find strength from within. It stands as a testament to the idea that with courage and perseverance, we can write our own narratives and emerge stronger from our challenges.
Teresa James
Author Terence Ang is known for his ability to pull at your heartstrings when reading his books. His writing style and illustrations are what brings them alive. He approaches his latest as a graphic novel. Terence is no stranger to being vulnerable, and yet in his newest release “The Boy And The Man” he ventures into a new scope of vulnerabilities.
Delving into his new story… It begins when Terence falls near a swing set. As a young boy finds him and sits with him, we are shown the events that lead us there. Continuing through his stroke recovery, we are shown the insides of hospitals, Ang’s own mind, and his reliance. Predominately in black and white, the back-and-forth narrative, paired with the graphic novel panels allows readers to feel front and center through Terence’s experiences.
Terence Ang transforms his popular “A Cry in the Dark” and revamps it in this new format. His artistry, recovery, and story remain at the forefront. “The Boy And The Man” once again provides a well written journey through his 2020 stroke and life changing experiences. Opening our minds, hearts, and eyes to the experience he has lived, and continues to live through. I recommend this book for anyone and everyone.
Mehran Hashemi - Author
A Great Graphic Book
Reviewed in Germany on 3 October 2024
The Boy & The Man is a poignant graphic novel, which is the fourth book by the author, Terence Ang. He had a stroke in 2020 and since then a new man is born, an adult man who has to learn how to walk again, but not only he doesn't give up, but he also teaches others how a man can walk strong through the journey of hopelessness.
The manga is about a man telling his story to a boy, but the interesting fact is that the boy is us, the readers, and the writer is telling us his story through the boy, and yet if we go deeper we will see that the boy is actually his inner child and there is no boy around him.
About the novel: It's super honest with no pretense. It's so raw and touching without any extra words. And the illustrations capture his moments perfectly.
Here are a few lines from the book that I really like;
"There's always something to laugh about, even when you're crying."
This great mentality is exactly what he tries to pass on to others through his books.
"Even the soft tinkling of chains from the swings gets my attention"
And somewhere else he says:
"One day, I noticed a confetti of dust particles shimmering merrily in the morning sun"
These lines show how the writer appreciates every single moment since his stroke and gives us a great message to see and appreciate the beauty of the simple things that are around us but we don't notice. Like those beautiful moments that we ignore to see due to our daily busy life
★★★★★ Jessi Amber
In *The Boy & The Man: From A Cry in the Dark*, Terence Ang crafts a profound narrative that transcends the boundaries of a typical graphic novel. This poignant exploration of resilience and identity is a compelling sequel to his earlier work, *A Cry in the Dark*, and it captures the raw essence of what it means to confront life's most daunting challenges.
The story follows Ang himself, a once-charismatic leader whose life is irrevocably altered by a stroke. The narrative deftly balances the stark realities of his struggle with the imaginative realms of his mind, where he conjures a team of characters that symbolize various aspects of his psyche. Each member of this "team" embodies his fears, doubts, and the flickering hope he clings to as he navigates the arduous journey of recovery.
Ang’s artwork is as expressive as his writing, utilizing a vibrant palette that mirrors the emotional highs and lows of his experience. The visual storytelling complements the text seamlessly, creating an immersive experience that allows readers to feel the weight of Ang's despair and the exhilaration of his small victories. The design choices enhance the narrative, making the internal battles he fights both relatable and palpable.
What stands out most is the duality of the title—*The Boy & The Man*. This motif symbolizes the delicate interplay between vulnerability and strength. As Ang reclaims his identity, the boy within him, trembling yet resilient, learns to coexist with the man he is becoming. This theme resonates deeply with anyone who has faced adversity, reminding us that healing is often a journey of integration rather than mere recovery.
Ultimately, *The Boy & The Man* is not just a personal memoir; it is a universal story of hope and renewal. Ang's candid exploration of his struggles serves as a beacon for those grappling with their own challenges, offering reassurance that even in the darkest moments, there is a path forward. Readers are left with a powerful message: the human spirit, though tested, can emerge stronger, ready to rewrite its own story.
In conclusion, Terence Ang’s *The Boy & The Man* is a must-read for anyone seeking inspiration in the face of life's trials. It is a beautifully crafted reminder that while we may feel broken at times, our journey towards healing is filled with potential, growth, and the possibility of rediscovering our voice.
An amazing story with so much to learn!!!!!
As reading Terence Ang's new book, I was left breathless. The illustrations were excellent and not only made it easy to understand a difficult situation but I found it nostalgic. I enjoyed the depth of the conversation and who it was with; which was a young boy.
Even More enjoyable was the end of the book after the illustrations end. Ang's writing at the end of the book had such a moving ideology. The way we think and our perceptions that we have and how they can change. The last sentence of the book is priceless and it comes from the boy. My only question is was the boy a stranger that he happened to meet in a familiar place or was it the boy inside of the man??
Another excellent book by Terrance Ang educating his experience having a massive stroke. I have read his work before and highly recommend any of his books but the unique way that this one was done is wonderful and stands out to me tremendously!!! Grab a copy you will not be disappointed!!!!!
