Synopsis
Karl Kling’s story is one of revelations, and these he has addressed in a letter to his daughter, Hella, who had disowned Karl many years ago. Karl’s letter is a cri de coeur from a father to a daughter he never really got to know, and he comes clean to her about his failed marriages, his fractured family relations–and his love for men.
Taking place between the end of World War II and the 1980s, Parallel chronicles Karl’s efforts to comply with social norms in order to keep his sexuality a secret. It also paints a picture of a life torn between conformity and rebellion, and the cruel realities of twentieth-century German society, where homosexuality was proscribed and punishable until 1994.
Matthias Lehmann poignantly depicts the story of a decades-long yearning to live an open and free life, and the price Karl and those he loves must pay for it. It is also a story of finding the courage to finally tell the truth no matter the obstacles…or the cost.
From: Oni Press
Notes on This Title
The main character of this title is a gay man. The supporting cast includes other queer men, including one who engages in relationships with both men and women. Two queer women are also depicted.
Awards
2022 GINCO Award for Best Print Comic - Nominee
Berthold Leibinger Foundation Comic Book Prize - Nominee
35th Annual GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Original Graphic Novel/Anthology - Nominee
ALA Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table - 2023 Best Graphic Novels for Adults
Reviews
“A somber, compassionate remembrance of life in the closet.” (Source: Kirkus Reviews)
“Though it falls short of revelatory, this has depth.” (Source: Publishers Weekly)
Interviews
None.