You might know Agnes Lee‘s work for the New York Times ‘Metropolitan Diary’ feature that captures a slice of life in the city — that’s where Levine Querido editor Nick Thomas first came across her comics. And once he got in touch, Lee’s debut graphic novel 49 Days was the result. 

49 Days has its roots in a Korean Buddhist tradition: after someone dies, it takes forty-nine days of traveling for them to fully cross over. The book explores that, following Kit on her travels — while her family grieves and tries to find what’s next in their lives. It’s a thoughtful, contemplative book — a perfect synthesis with Agnes’ lovely artwork. 

Gotta get up. Gotta keep moving. This map – it says I have to cross over here. Wait, what’s that…?

49 Days is an unforgettable story of death, grief, love, and how we keep moving forward.

Agnes Lee grew up in the Bay Area and is a graduate of UC Berkeley and Art Center College of Design. She is a former Chronicle Books fellow and was an Art Director at the The New York Times for several years where she began illustrating the Metropolitan Diary column. She now lives in Portland, OR, with her partner and cat. In addition to art, she loves the outdoors and playing ultimate frisbee.