Stitches is the autobiographical graphic novel of David Small's childhood in Detroit. Through pictures and sparse text Small recreates the tortured household in which he was raised, filled the family secrets, and angst-ridden family members. In this loveless home David escapes through novels and drawing until at age sixteen he decides he can't take it any more and runs away from home. With his departure the fragile family structure crumbles and ugly family truths are exposed.