American Widow by Alissa Torres

This graphic novel tells the story of Alissa Torres, whose husband Eddie started working in the World Trade Center on September 10, 2001, only to be killed the following day in the terrorist attacks. Pregnant and widowed, American Widow recounts how Alissa learned to deal with her loss, and then after giving birth to her son Joshua raising him as a single mother.

With beautiful illustrations and melancholy storyline, this haunting book captures the chaos and tragedy that engrossed New York City in the days and months following the attack, as well as the personal tragedy of those who lost family and / or friends on that fateful day that saw thousands of people killed. It also describes the ensuing financial and legal fight that many of the victims families were forced to launch, as they struggled to receive the monetary assistance that they were promised.

3 out of 5 stars