I first found Chaboute’s wonderful graphic novel when in a local bookshop with my boyfriend and we ended up ironically spending the evening sitting on a bench in the shopping centre completely enwrapped in this brilliant story which is about experiences just like that.

The concept of the story is simply the existence of a bench and all the lives it encounters on a daily basis which I know may sound a bit strange and not exactly enthralling in terms of plot but this quiet, poignant and thought provoking book took me by surprise with how much I loved it.

It brings together ideas of community; how we use public space and why it’s so important; the perceptions we instantly make of others before really getting to know their stories first; both the tough times and wonderful times of life and it left me with a quiet contentedness and hopefulness (and also wanting to buy a bench!)

It changed my perspective of things that we all walk pass everyday without thought (such as a bench in a park or street) and the idea that something as simple as this can bring people together, make a hard day a little easier, be a place of refuge and be a center of gathering or meeting for moments of happiness to share with others.

Although there is no dialogue in this graphic novel, the atmosphere and art work completely draw you into the story and in a funny sort of way I think this particular story is made more effective and interesting because of it as it’s leaving the whole interpretation of the story up to the reader and in effect I think it gives you a much stronger connection with the characters, the questions it brings up and the feelings it stirs.