Salvage - by Nault (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

In this heartwarming graphic novel romance from the adaptor and illustrator of The Handmaid's Tale: The Graphic Novel, two young artists' paths intertwine as they navigate the complexities of love in a world where sea levels have risen and society is sharply divided.

Paolo lives in the Flats, a dangerous, water-logged community where families survive by salvaging materials from skyscrapers hidden just beneath the ocean's surface--remnants of a world before sea levels rose. Scavenging the depths comes with its risks, but when Paolo discovers a suitcase of designer clothes, he decides to fulfill his dream: To spend one night in the Uplands, a place of privilege, excess, and freedom. There he meets Jules and her friends, and what begins as a single night of reckless adventure turns into a secret double life--and a seemingly impossible romance that forces Paolo to reckon with who he is, where he belongs, and the importance of being true to himself.

Rendered in vibrant watercolor illustrations that bring every scene to vivid life, Salvage is as much a visual masterpiece as it is a moving tale of love and self-discovery. Renée Nault's atmospheric and luminous hand-painted art draws readers into Paolo and Jules' world, promising an unforgettable coming of age story.

Review Quotes

"Renée Nault's watercolors are the perfect tactile match to the salt, rust, and glitter of Salvage. The contemplative calm of Paolo's diving in the Flats contrasts neatly with the chronically online, hectic glamour of the Uplands, giving Paolo and Jules's story a pull that feels resoundingly familiar to anyone who has ever been tempted to measure their life by social media's standards."--Danie Stirling, author of IndieBound bestseller Crumbs

"After rising sea levels flood coastal cities, the wealth gap between displaced climate refugees and those living inland widens, a dichotomy that Nault captures with searing clarity in this stunning tale . . . a discerning coming-of-age graphic novel that teems with surreal beauty and tender, honest heart."--Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Salvage's stark rich/poor divide and rising seas are a pertinent commentary on 21st-century life. . . . Readers will root for Paolo's and Jules's emotional and artistic journeys as they struggle to remain true to themselves in a precarious world."--Shelf Awareness, starred review

"Nault's narrative deftly confronts socioeconomic barriers, inadequate parenting, environmental devastation, bioengineering, and the tremendous power of art. Her inviting ink and watercolor illustrations are a spectacular blend of vibrancy and shadow, brilliantly catching motion within and without panels, particularly emotions on upturned faces and sideways glances. Resonating fodder for the heart and brain; an utter feast for the eyes."--Kirkus Review, starred review

"The electrifying ink-and-watercolor illustrations are absorbing. . . . Everything in the narrative highlights class discrepancies, from the effects of climate change to the accessibility of creative pursuits. In a future that feels far too close for comfort, this timely graphic novel stresses the importance of art as a way to show people who we are as well as how the world could be."--Booklist

About the Author

Renée Nault began her art career as an illustrator, and her vivid watercolors have appeared in books, magazines, and advertisements around the world. Renee works traditionally in ink and watercolor, preferring the tactile qualities of paint and paper to digital tools. She is best known for adapting and illustrating the acclaimed The Handmaid's Tale: The Graphic Novel by Margaret Atwood. Salvage is her first original graphic novel.