Cannon by Lee Lai. Drawn & Quarterly, 2025. 9781770468023. 304pp.
Cannon is everyone’s rock. She works in a kitchen that’s insane (her boss is truly the worst), and she’s taking care of her ailing Gung Gung, whose caregiver just resigned. Her mom, of course, won’t return her calls. Her best friend, Trish, never really listens to her, and even uses their friendship as fodder for her writing. (Trish is struggling with her own crap, plus she’s having an affair with a straight boy.)
The only thing that gets Cannon through it is running while listening to tapes about breathing and mindfulness. Her co-worker Benji’s support helps, too.
Lee Lai’s follow-up to Stone Fruit (2022) is just as amazing. Cannon’s characters navigate love, friendship, and family in ways that are both heartbreaking and uplifting. I’ve already read it twice.
My favorite parts: Trish coming to Cannon’s aid when a mean girl is trashing her at a party, back when they were in high school. Plus, the moment when Cannon finally explodes is epic, the more so because Trish is there to help.
