Luke Healy, author of The Con Artists returns with his new darkly comedic graphic novel Self-Esteem and the End of the World. Take a break with this exclusive extract ahead of publication in May. Luke Healy was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland, where he also received a BA in Journalism. He holds an MFA in cartooning from the centre for Cartooning Studies in Vermont, USA, and his two previous books The Con Artists and Americana were both named as Guardian Books of the Year. ‘Who is Luke Healy?’ For over ten years, a graphic novelist called Luke Healy has invested all of his self-esteem into his career. Then, almost overnight, just as his brother is getting married, both seem to vanish. Spiralling and lacking purpose, he searches for identity - in self-help books, replacement jobs and human connection - and visits cheesy British hotels and abandoned Greek islands. Set against the backdrop of a dangerously changing global climate, with melting ice-caps and flooding cities, Self-Esteem and the End of the World spans two decades of tragicomic self-discovery, until the unlikely prospect of a Hollywood revival of Luke’s work comes into view - but what might be the cost? ‘One of the finest cartoonists working today.’ James Sturm #graphicnovel #graphicnovels #booktokuk #lukehealy #theconartists #selfesteemandtheendoftheworld