In this honest and earnest graphic memoir, cartoonist Kate Beaton recalls the time she spent working in the oil sands of Alberta, Canada, to quickly earn money to pay off student loans. Somehow, in this single volume of black and white comics, Beaton is able to portray the stark landscape of Alberta, the environmental impacts of the oil industry, the tough working conditions for all (but particularly for the grossly-outnumbered women) in the oil sands, the difficult situations that lead so many Canadians from the eastern provinces to head west for work, and an incredibly nuanced look at the people who have made the journey. And all of this is secondary to Beaton's own story and experiences, which is told candidly and unflinchingly. I can see why this book is on so many Best of 2022 lists.
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