This Is Not What I Was Expecting — the title of the book pretty much sums up the author’s reflections on his marriage. In his latest book, cartoonist Jessoo reveals how he went from being cat-phobic and determined to stay single, to a happily married husband and loyal butler to three cats. He narrates how meeting his wife changed him for the better, and through both text and short cartoons, illustrates small conversations and episodes from their day-to-day lives, which bring a smile to the reader’s face.

From the cover, we already see illustrations of the couple and their three cats being completely absorbed in strange dance moves and making dorky faces together. This instantly gives the impression of a couple who truly enjoys each other’s presence, and my own decision to read the book was fully based on judging by the cover. Fortunately, the impression I received from the rest of the book was not too different. A timid overthinker falls in love with an unpretentious and playful woman. He is thoroughly entertained by how straightforward she is, and by how much she enjoys eating,dancing, singing, and teasing him. The very fact that he records their conversations and interactions through this book shows his pure adoration.

Above the admiration, one thing that is truly touching to the readers is his sincere appreciation. The author repeatedly expresses gratitude towards his wife in every part of their journey — how considerate she was when they were dating, how she made him a better person by tactfully pointing out his flaws, and even how she got him to like cats. The author mentions that neither of them fantasized about marriage. Perhaps this is why, instead of preaching about passionate love, he is able to focus naturally on respect, appreciation, and acceptance in their special relationship.

The cartoonist’s drawing style, which fits the content very well, also plays a big role in enriching the reading experience. The soft pencil-drawn characters are round and cute, and the scenes are generally uncomplicated. However, Jessoo’s true talent shines through the simplicity. Even though all drawings are black and white and the characters have cartoonish proportions with short arms and legs, not once was I confused of what action a character was carrying out, no matter how dynamic it was. The same goes for facial expressions. With limited facial features, which are mostly depicted with only dots, circles, and a few lines, the author successfully conveys a vast variety of expressions. Some scenes like “Stairs”, composed of only two frames, are completely clear without a single dialogue. What’s more impressive is that the author can do the same with cats.

However, the book is not for someone looking for a well-organized passage or a profound analysis on the deep and complicated philosophies regarding marriage, love, and whatnot. The book is more of a collection of casually drawn cartoons from the author’s everyday life, and the text works as a background story to how the five became a family, or small thoughts and comments on the topics he wishes to share. Though the laid-back style definitely makes the reading experience easy and relaxing, one problem is that the content becomes a little repetitive. For instance, he gives multiple examples of how meeting his wife and the life that followed transformed him into a better person. But as these examples are dispersed throughout the book, and since they come to the same conclusion, it is inevitable that readers feel some redundancy. The same goes for the cartoons. A lot of the jokes are about his wife’s surprisingly enormous appetite, or him being startled by something unexpected she says. When “unexpected” becomes a part of a predictable repertoire, it is progressively unoriginal.

This Is Not What I Was Expecting is the testimony of a man who was once afraid of marriage, a declaration to the rest of the world that it actually turned out to be his salvation. He effortlessly convinces the readers of this fact through the purity of the happiness oozing from his sincere words and delightful cartoons. Regardless of whether or not the book meets the conventional standards of what makes a “good” book, the simple joy of witnessing such a harmonious interaction makes it commendable.

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