Aya is a book about a teen-aged African girl living in the Ivory Coast during the seventies (a relative boom time). It's billed as being a graphic nov...moreAya is a book about a teen-aged African girl living in the Ivory Coast during the seventies (a relative boom time). It's billed as being a graphic novel that shows that teens in Africa aren't so dissimilar to those in the U.S. (or teens in general, for that matter) and attempts to break the stereotype of Africa as an impoverished nation where all the kids are starving and/or in the midst of constant warfare.
It focuses on Aya and her two friends, Adjoua and Bintou, as they live their lives in "Yop City", a working-class neighborhood of (at the time) prosperous Abidjan. Aya has aspirations of going to school to become a doctor, while her two friends are more interested in dancing and boys. They secretly hook up with lovers on "reserved" tables in the market square at night (aka the "Thousand Star Hotel") and dream about marrying someone who can set them up with a nice house or even a business (I believe a beauty parlor was high on the list). But all their hijinks (yes, I just used the word "hijinks") don't turn out as planned.
It's almost as much fun seeing them get into trouble as seeing how they then try to get out of it. In fact, it's strangely fun while considering that some of the topics covered definitely border on the melancholy (mainly: needing a man to fulfill your dreams). But this is where Aya comes into play, providing a stark contrast to her partying friends. She doesn't judge them, but her character shows a more modern viewpoint which contrasts against traditional gender roles.
The glossary at the back isn't to be missed, explaining much of the slang used in the book (Tassaba - Ta-Sa-Ba: slang, behind. "Move your tassaba!") as well as how to roll your tassaba in a way that makes men fall at your feet.
The illustrations really bring life to the narrative. The beautiful colors and expressive lines were so seamlessly interwoven with the text that I was surprised to realize that the writer and illustrator weren't one and the same.
An interesting glimpse into one writer's perception of teen life in West Africa in the late 70s.(less)
This graphic novel focused on Jonathan A. (the main character) and his alcoholism, and how his battle with it affected everything in his life. There w...moreThis graphic novel focused on Jonathan A. (the main character) and his alcoholism, and how his battle with it affected everything in his life. There were so many wonderful, poignant, tragic and even funny details... I loved his devotion to his best friend, even when said friend ditched him for no apparent reason. I loved it when he referred to his ex-girlfriend by the city she happened to be living in at the time and came to refer to himself as "her bitch" because he couldn't let her go. I loved how he told part of his story while haphazardly self-buried in the sand trying to elude the police. I loved it when Monica Lewinsky said that the kielbasa looked delicious, causing Jonathan to astrally project to the ceiling out of sympathetic embarrassment for her...
It's hard to "love" some of the more tragic circumstances of the book, but while I can't identify 100% with the realities of alcoholism, I think everyone can identify with the feelings of inadequacy and want expressed in this book. The feeling of almost achieving something, and then losing it again. Hopefulness, and hopelessness, and then hopefulness again.
I was actually confused as to whether this book was semi-autobiographical. The main character is named Jonathan A., after all (the author is Jonathan Ames). But after doing a little research: it seems like it isn't. Just a really well-told tale that is true for different people in different ways.(less)
Ghost World is a melancholy but funny graphic novel that centers around Enid and Becky, two recent high school graduates who (happily) outcast themsel...moreGhost World is a melancholy but funny graphic novel that centers around Enid and Becky, two recent high school graduates who (happily) outcast themselves from what they see as normal, boring, ridiculous society. They love to mock the people in their town, and they're pretty tightly banded until Enid's possible departure for college casts a pall over their future together.
I can see why this is considered a classic comic or graphic novel. Although set in the nineties, the characters didn't seem dated to me. Their jaded-ness is eternal.
Reading this graphic novel was like being invited to tea with a group of Iranian women, except that the talk turned (interestingly enough) to arranged...moreReading this graphic novel was like being invited to tea with a group of Iranian women, except that the talk turned (interestingly enough) to arranged marriages, cheating husbands, and faking your virginity. The images strengthened the words in such a way that when I was done reading it I actually felt like I knew and had spent a little time with these women.
It's interesting, because their conversation makes it seem like they have some power (while living under harsh social restrictions) but as a Western woman reading this book, their idea of what constitutes power is hard to accept. Like many women, they talk about plastic surgery - nothing unusual there. One woman even goes so far as to admit that she had fat removed from her ass and injected into her breasts, which led to this comment about her husband: Of course this idiot doesn't know that every time he kisses my breasts, it's actually my ass he's kissing...
But to me, there's not a lot of power in that. More sadness that you'd have to take that small victory when you're more likely stuck in a marriage that you didn't (and don't) want.
It's hard to judge these women, though. Their stories are told in such a way that it's easy to just listen and admire them for having a voice and telling their stories. Many are in fact divorced, and share many of the same love concerns and troubles as women everywhere, as well as the same strengths and weaknesses. It's definitely worth reading as a reminder that women everywhere share a connection.(less)
This is a great book for a weekend afternoon read. The illustrated glimpses in Lauren R. Weinstein's Girl Stories are drawn (no pun intended) from her...moreThis is a great book for a weekend afternoon read. The illustrated glimpses in Lauren R. Weinstein's Girl Stories are drawn (no pun intended) from her own life, and if you're looking for a laugh you'll find it here. The stories are mainly from her middle school years, and focus on her as an uncool, arty kid who desperately wants - of course - to be one of the cool kids. But that plan doesn't quite work out, and in one of my favorite parts of the book she turns to her idol, Morissey, and together they frolic in graveyards, disdain meat, and revel in their awkwardness.
There's also some useful information in the book, such as tips on making Barbie clothes (cutting up balloons to make swimwear is simply genius) as well as how to really get a boyfriend (he might be a total asshole, but you'll still get one).
This book is funny, but it also has enough sensitivity and depth to keep it from being "just" a laugh. The awkwardness of adolescence with all its thrills and agonies is captured here.(less)
I discovered and became really interested in graphic novels in the last year, and that path finally led me to Maus. If anything could be, Maus is like...moreI discovered and became really interested in graphic novels in the last year, and that path finally led me to Maus. If anything could be, Maus is likely the "classic" graphic novel, if not simply one of the most well-known. And with good reason.
The story - part Art Spiegelman's re-telling of his father's experience of the Holocaust, and part an exploration of their relationship - has as its characters mice (the Jews), pigs (the Poles) and cats (the Nazis). I was thinking about why he chose to use animals rather than people, and realized the sad metaphor that mice are "exterminated". In a way, it also removed familiarity with Holocaust images so that it helped them to be seen in a new light (a detached light, at times).
An interesting part of the novel is that it isn't at all a sympathetic portrayal of Spiegelman's Dad. He's often extremely frustrated and angry at him. I guess having lived through the Holocaust doesn't necessarily make you a saint to your children, and Spiegelman definitely doesn't pull any punches here. As the child of a Holocaust survivor, he's also dealing with the fallout of his father's experiences.
I didn't realize that this was only Part 1 (duh) of the story. I wish I'd known to have Part 2 on hand, because the end of this book definitely isn't an end. More like a middle.(less)
After I read The Graveyard Book (which I really liked) someone recommended Coraline to me (also by Neil Gaiman). There are actually two versions of C...moreAfter I read The Graveyard Book (which I really liked) someone recommended Coraline to me (also by Neil Gaiman). There are actually two versions of Coraline - a regular novel and a graphic novel - and I picked up the graphic version.
I liked it, but I felt that it didn't flow as well as some other graphic novels I've read (I kept thinking that all the dialogue was simply cut out of the book and combined with illustrations, although that may be an unfair assessment). The story line was good - a young girl travels through a doorway and discovers an alternate reality inhabited (and created by) her "other mother", who's a scary imitation of her real mother - and when her "other mother" kidnaps her parents, she has to match wits with her to get them back.
I wish I'd read the regular novel first. I would have like more back story and details, and while I feel the dialogue and illustrations in the graphic novel were OK, I wasn't blown away. I'll probably check out the novel now to see if I can get that extra level of depth that I felt was missing.(less)
Shortcomings is a graphic novel that deals with racial identity and - to a certain degree - stereotypes. In this case, many questionable actions are p...moreShortcomings is a graphic novel that deals with racial identity and - to a certain degree - stereotypes. In this case, many questionable actions are perpetuated by its own main character, a young Japanese-American man named Ben Tanaka. Faced with upheaval in his life, he's suddenly forced to confront many of those issues, including his own.
Ben's relationship with his girlfriend, Miko, is floundering, and her belief that he's more interested in blond-haired, blue-eyed white women than her is a big part of it. When she moves to New York, Ben spends his time seeking out new relationships (including one with a punk rock chick who likes to photograph her own pee in the morning) while still trying to maintain his brittle connection to Miko. (Yeah, he's not the most endearing character.)
Ben and Miko's fights cross all sorts of lines as they cross from political to personal issues, and at times it was hard to tell what was the truth and what were simply angry accusations. The subtle illustrative style of the novel seems stripped down to the bare essentials, but it did well in showcasing their emotions, as well as the sarcasm, humor, and insights of the characters.
Ben's best friend, Alice - a Korean-American lesbian who is battling identity issues of her own - is hilarious. I loved her. She acts somewhat as Ben's conscience as she sarcastically calls out his hypocrisies (while still battling some of her own).
The Clouds Above is a charming and imaginative graphic novel for the younger set (I'd guess in the 5- to 8-year-old range). I found it while browsing...moreThe Clouds Above is a charming and imaginative graphic novel for the younger set (I'd guess in the 5- to 8-year-old range). I found it while browsing at the library yesterday and was so taken with it that I took it home and read it the same night. The illustrations and story line are really engaging as a young boy and his very long-tailed cat skip school and find a stairway leading up to the clouds, escaping his spirit-crushing teacher and going on an adventure in the sky.
I loved every panel of this book.
I loved it when the cat said he was feeling "vomitous".
And I loved the end, which I won't spoil here so that you can love it, too.(less)
This graphic novel has won a lot of awards, and I can see why. There are three stories being told concurrently, and each has themes of self-acceptance...moreThis graphic novel has won a lot of awards, and I can see why. There are three stories being told concurrently, and each has themes of self-acceptance and acceptance (or not) by one's peers.
The first is the folk tale of the Monkey King who wanted to be a god. When told that monkeys can't be gods, he quickly sets out to shed his monkey-ness in order to become something else... something that more closely fits others' expectations of what a god should be.
The second is the story of Jin Wang, a young student of Chinese descent who just wants to fit in at school. Picked on and made fun of, he'd like to be like his toy transformer - able to change his appearance at will.
The third is the story of Danny, the very student Jin would like to be most. But Danny has his own problems - mainly the once-a-year visit of his cousin Chin-kee, who's as much a racial stereotype as his name implies. Pronouncing every "L" in his speech as an "R" and letting Danny know that he thinks his girlfriend would be much prettier with bound feet are only two of the many infractions that cause Danny utter humiliation and wreak havoc in his social circle.
These three arcs are woven together at the end of the novel in a surprising but touching ending. Characters are revealed for who they really are, how they've transformed, and in some ways how they've remained true to themselves - or been reminded to.
Wonderfully drawn and recounted, I'd highly recommend this book.(less)
I first saw this book at the gift shop when we visited the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago, and when we got home I checked it out from the libra...moreI first saw this book at the gift shop when we visited the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago, and when we got home I checked it out from the library.
I'm glad that I did. It definitely brightened my day.
Bigfoot himself sets the record straight as he tells his story in his own far-from-verbose but strangely eloquent words. Misunderstood, and thereby alienated from society, Bigfoot lets us know that he has opinions and feelings. And he also writes poetry.
My favorite passage:
Have it pretty tough as kid... other kids no want play. They say I too rough. Say I kill too much. Who make them judge and jury? Puberty hard for bigfoot. Start get curly fur in place where no curly before. Start mark territory and kill rival males. Hard make friend. No have date for senior prom. Susie Jenkins say she sick and ditch me for Bobby Jones. Me still write her letter and phone at 3 o'clock in morning, then pretend wrong number. Susie if you read, me still take you back.
The book is hand written and illustrated by Graham Roumieu, and would make a great quirky gift for that friend who has everything. Definitely great for a laugh.(less)
Persepolis is a graphic novel that tells the story of a young girl growing up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution (it's also an autobiographical acc...morePersepolis is a graphic novel that tells the story of a young girl growing up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution (it's also an autobiographical account of Satrapi's young life). She lives with radical parents, and we watch as their lives become more and more restricted under the rule of the Shah. The book also deals with some very intense subject matter that we see through Satrapi's young eyes, which translate the scenes to us without any adult filters.
Persepolis comes to an abrupt end in the middle of a climactic scene, so if you're lucky enough to be reading this before reading the book, I'd suggest having the second one on hand and ready to go...(less)
The Arrival is the story of a man who travels to a new land with the hope of making a better life for himself, as well as his wife and young daughter....moreThe Arrival is the story of a man who travels to a new land with the hope of making a better life for himself, as well as his wife and young daughter. We travel with him as he sets out alone, voyaging by sea and arriving in his new country.
Because the book is entirely illustrated and completely wordless, we as readers share the main character's emotions as he navigates through and experiences unfamiliar environments, indecipherable language, strange customs and unusual food. Along the way, he makes new friends who help him adjust to his new life, and they in turn share their own stories with him.
The book is visually beautiful, and there's something so wonderful about sitting down with a picture book as an adult. This was an experience that I will not soon forget.(less)
This was such a beautiful book - beautiful illustrations, beautiful design, beautiful story. I was so captivated by it that I read it in one afternoon...moreThis was such a beautiful book - beautiful illustrations, beautiful design, beautiful story. I was so captivated by it that I read it in one afternoon.
I found that it moved pretty seamlessly between the text and the illustrations, and they really strengthened each other. At times, it was almost like watching a movie with subtitles because the progressive illustrations brought a feeling of movement and action to the story.
I won't go too far into a plot summary of the book (the description can be accessed above), but I will say that I found its premise to be really engaging. It was inspired by a real person, Georges Méli�ès (the writer and director of the 1902 film A Trip to the Moon), and Selznick created a fictional world in which Méli�ès plays a key role. The story unfolds around the main character, Hugo Cabret, a young orphan boy living in a Paris train station in the late 1920s.
Although billed as a young adult book, I'd highly recommend it to adults as well. I look forward to seeing any new work by Brian Selznick.(less)
This is the first graphic/illustrated novel I've ever read, and I thought it was a really interesting format. It's about a young man coming of age in...moreThis is the first graphic/illustrated novel I've ever read, and I thought it was a really interesting format. It's about a young man coming of age in a Christian family who's generally an outsider, and insecure. He meets and falls in love with a girl through his bible camp, and this part of the story was so well-told and drawn that it made me remember what being a teenager and meeting my first love was like. Give it a chance if you're looking to experience a different format of reading - I thought it was definitely worth it.(less)
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