... an exquisitely painful portrait of loneliness, perfectly pitched for the current time of pandemic isolation ... There are twists and turns to the plot as Burrows explores every possible variation on the theme of loneliness, from that in a bar to that on the street to the misery of being in a hospital bed. The desperate need for human touch, for human connection is beautifully evoked in the deceptively simple drawings. When the man and woman finally come together in the self-checkout line at the market, the reader is cheering them on ... The silence of the book, the fact that it is wordless, amplifies the aching loneliness of the characters. This is a story in which every detail has been carefully thought out, providing the reader with a rich narrative experience. That this is a debut leaves one eager to see what Burrows’ next project will be.
... it’s a calm and silent book. Through its lack of words, all that’s left to read is the feeling—of searching, of wanting, of moving through the world day after day ... A muted palette with pops of reds and pinks guide the reader through many days that could blur into one another, each having their own small significance in moments that in other stories wouldn't warrant mention, or are mere background details. This isolation, repetitiveness, is this story's main thread ... It's warm, it's funny—a subtle read, resting in the minor moments—the kebab shop visits, supermarkets, being curled up on the couch watching TV. More than words, Crushing is a feeling; a comforting, quiet feeling—just a really nice and relatable read for our times.
... poignant, timely ... Burrows exhibits...deft cleverness throughout ... Burrows’ pencil drawings in mostly grays-to-blues enhanced with glowing reds produce a visually and emotionally nourishing feast. Although marketed for young adults by the publisher, Burrows’ memorable creation should resonate with singles of any age in search of connection.
The story conveys life as a series of small indignities, slight misses, and minor connections but ends on a hopeful note. The accomplished pencil drawings with red highlights are eloquent and emotive, drawing readers in, conveying the personalities of the characters, and capturing the poignancy, dignity, drama, and humor of the everyday ... Evocatively sketches a fine line between someday and happily-ever-after.
... a charming graphic novel ... Burrows’s pencil panels, in hues of sea green and gray illuminated with scarlet, picture two endearingly slouchy pale-skinned singletons who pass like clumsy ships in the night ... The 'crushing' of the title alludes to both heaviness and new love, with an emphasis on the former, in a narrative that recommends optimism and a wry sense of humor while acknowledging the ubiquity of loneliness.
