Kim: A Novel Idea is a graphic literary novel about a lonely millennial named Frankie, her boyfriend Jacob, their talking cat Catman, and an unhealthy obsession with Kim Kardashian. Faced with the difficulties of her life, scrolling through photos of an uber-celebrity and talking to her cat is the only way Frankie knows how to cope—through fantasy and escape.

Kim: A Novel Idea is hilarious in the sense that it's brutally honest; real in the sense that it's relatable.  Exploring politics—personal, political, social—to comment on feminism, the #MeToo movement, fame, abuse of power within university writing programs, intergenerational wealth, love, and our multiple selves, there is something lovable about Frankie’s insufferable attitude towards life; something deeply relatable about her self-doubt in convincing herself she's “never going to make anything of my goddamn, pathetic life." Why? Because Frankie is stuck in a capitalist cycle of celebrity marketing rings that target young women's insecurities about their bodies and accomplishments. Kim: A Novel Idea gives us insight into the downfalls of contemporary living while asking: are digital identities the cure, or the poison to waking life? And, what is the value in distracting ourselves from our own very real lives.

LITERARY GRAPHIC NOVEL
248 pages (83 colour)
Perfect-bound
Illustrations | Frankie Barnet
ISBN | 978-1-988355-27-6
Spring 2022

Frankie Barnet is a Montreal-based writer. Her work has appeared in Peach Mag, Joyland, PRISM International, The Vault (With/Out Pretend), plasma dolphin, and Papirmasse. She is a graduate of the Creative Writing program at Concordia University and recently received her Masters of Fine Arts (Fiction) from Syracuse University. Kim: A Novel Idea is her first graphic novel.

Since 2014, the 100% woman-owned and operated literary publisher Metatron Press has supported over 500 emerging writers who push the boundaries of contemporary writing through edgy, provocative, brave and emotionally resonant works. The Montréal-based publisher focuses on books that don't necessarily fit into traditions, favouring informing and challenging authors instead.

Text and image provided by METATRON Press.