Thomas King publishes his first graphic novel – take a look now


The famous writer Thomas King publishes his first graphic novel.

Limits was originally a short story written in 1993. It’s about a boy and his mother trying to take a road trip from Alberta to Salt Lake City. When they reach the US-Canada border, they identify as Blackfoot and not as Canadians or Americans – which causes problems and puts the pair in limbo between the two countries. What unfolds is a powerful story about justice, identity and belonging.

Limits was adapted into a graphic novel by Natasha Donovan. It will be released on September 7, 2021.

“Natasha’s illustrations shine a light on the story in a new and compelling way,” King told CBC Books via email.

King is a Canadian-American writer of Cherokee and Greek ancestry who is considered one of the most influential Indigenous writers and scholars of his generation.

King was the first Aboriginal person to give a Massey talk on CBC in 2003. His bestselling books include Truth and living water, The Inconvenient Indian, Green grass, running water, The back of the turtle and the DreadfulWater mystery series. He also wrote a collection of poetry, 77 fragments of a familiar ruin.

His latest book, Indians on vacation, is currently on the list of finalists for the 2020 Writers’ Fiction Prize the shortlist for the Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humor and the Governor General’s Literary Award for Fiction. He was also shortlisted for the 2020 Scotiabank Giller Award.

Without reservation40:13A long conversation with famous author Thomas King

Recorded at the Montreal Blue Metropolis International Literary Festival, Thomas King joins Rosanna Deerchild on stage in this long conversation about Indigenous writing, research and humor. 40:13

Donovan is a Métis illustrator from Vancouver. She has illustrated several graphic novels, including the Surviving the City series by Tasha Spillet and the animal series by Brett Huson, which includes Mother of sockeye, The grizzly mother and Mother eagle. She also illustrated the cover for The Ghost Collector by Allison Mills and her work appears in the anthology This place: 150 years told.

Limits is a story she has known for a long time and has personally connected to as her partner is American and is currently trying to navigate the same system.

“I’ve been passionate about this story ever since I first read it in high school. It’s funny and tender, quintessentially Thomas King style, and it gracefully balances the absurdity and heartbreak of arbitrarily divisions. imposed, ”Donovan told CBC Books via email.

“While working on Limits, my American wife and I were also getting to know the strange and frustrating world of immigration – in fact, the book is now complete, but my case is still unresolved. Working on this project at such a surprisingly relevant time was a huge privilege, and often a comfort. I learned to love these characters very much and they gave me a lot of hope and happiness. “

You can see an excerpt from Limits below.


An interior taken from Borders, a graphic novel by Thomas King and illustrated by Natasha Donovan. (HarperCollins)

An interior taken from Borders, a graphic novel by Thomas King and illustrated by Natasha Donovan. (HarperCollins)

An interior taken from Borders, a graphic novel by Thomas King and illustrated by Natasha Donovan. (HarperCollins)

An interior taken from Borders, a graphic novel by Thomas King and illustrated by Natasha Donovan. (HarperCollins)

An interior taken from Borders, a graphic novel by Thomas King and illustrated by Natasha Donovan. (HarperCollins)

An interior taken from Borders, a graphic novel by Thomas King and illustrated by Natasha Donovan. (HarperCollins)


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