You Can Never Die

“Renowned New Yorker cartoonist Harry Bliss loved his sweet dog Penny, a joyful part of his life for 17 years. Every day that he cared for his beloved pet, Harry joked with her, talked to her, and drew the adorable creature—Penny’s presence is unmistakably, hilariously incorporated into the iconic cartoons of his career. In one, he gazes up at the night sky, remarking on the vastness of outer space, while she digs into the ground, unbothered, fuzzy tail wagging in the air. Harry grew up in upstate New York to a family of artists, a rowdy and turbulent bunch, and attended art school in Philadelphia. A therapist once suggested that perhaps when he looked at Penny, he saw himself as a child, innocent and facing unanticipated heartbreak. As Harry must grieve Penny’s loss, he reflects on his parents in their later years, his love for his wife and home, and the colorful artists, friends, and mentors who have shaped him. With humor and gut-wrenching honesty, You Can Never Die is an intimate portrayal of a man making sense of the beautiful and painful world around him.