44 pages • 1 hour read
Kate BeatonDucks: Two Years in the Oil Sands
Nonfiction | Graphic Memoir | Adult | Published in 2022A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Ducks by Kate Beaton is an adult graphic memoir about Beaton’s two years working in the Alberta, Canada oil sands after graduating from university, highlighting her experience as a young white woman in an isolated, hypermasculine environment. It explores her interactions with coworkers, her struggle with the workplace culture, and her eventual return home. The book discusses rape, sexual harassment, and victim blaming.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Kate Beaton's Ducks has garnered praise for its compelling narrative and insightful exploration of the Canadian oil sands industry. Readers appreciate Beaton’s poignant storytelling and evocative illustrations. Criticisms focus on occasional pacing issues and the heavy subject matter, which may not appeal to all audiences. Overall, it's acclaimed for its emotional depth and social commentary.
Who Should Read Ducks?
A reader who would enjoy Ducks by Kate Beaton is likely drawn to personal narratives with a focus on socio-economic and environmental themes. Fans of Fun Home by Alison Bechdel or Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi would appreciate the memoir's candid storytelling and evocative illustrations.