JUST ANOTHER MEAT-EATING DIRT BAG
by
Michael Anthony
This graphic novel is much more than about love and a developing relationship where the couple are dealing with a carnivore and a staunch vegetarian and animal rights advocate. The strength of the book lies in the constant comparisons between the slaughtering of animals and what the author experienced while in the military in Iraq. He says about the war: “. . . we had to stop caring. We had to let it all go and become autonomic machines.”
In spite of its heavy subject matter, this book is very entertaining and the clever illustrations by Chai Simone only add to the casual presentation. Where it excels is in educating readers about . . . well, a whole range of matters, from how to date to emotional issues. Realistically discussing fat-shaming, bulimia, and distorted body issues the author also discusses some of the realistic consequences of war: addiction, divorce, depression suicide and PTSD and the stresses the need for all of these to be addressed. Nor does the military escape the eagle eye of this author who points out the effects of experiencing the terribly wounded and dying daily in war which he likens to St. John of the Cross’s comment about “the dark night of the soul.” He makes some scathing comments about the higher-ups in the military being less concerned about the men under their command than their personal hopes for advancement.
Because this is a book to promote vegetarianism the author gives a lot of good information about how to live a healthy lifestyle by eating a non-meat diet. From the clarity of the information given, it looks easy to make the necessary adjustments.
For anyone interested in vegetarianism, animal rights, relationship struggles and how they can be related to war this is a Must Read. The book has an excellent Reading List at the end about the advantages of being a vegetarian. My only suggestion for this excellent little book is that future editions could include some references to anti-war material.