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unabridged_reader's review
3.0
Was interested in reading the graphic novel that inspired the Shortcomings movie (2023). Some things I noticed was that the dialogue was nearly the same line for line, and I thought that was cool. Ultimately, I think I enjoyed the movie more than I did its written form, and I think that's a compliment to the film team. In fact, had I read the graphic novel first, I probably would have despised our antihero to a point that this would have disrupted how much I enjoyed the overall piece. Would highly recommend watching the film (and perhaps, watching it before picking up this piece that inspired it).
More generally, I thoroughly enjoyed both this piece and its film counterpart because I've never seen an Asian American experience depicted with this level of nuance, wit, and self-reflection. I felt represented in a way I haven't before in contemporary literature. For example, Tomine and the film-makers successfully interweave some hitting questions about fetishization, sexuality, and "panasian" solidarity in a way that resembles how these topics come up in my conversations with my friends.
More generally, I thoroughly enjoyed both this piece and its film counterpart because I've never seen an Asian American experience depicted with this level of nuance, wit, and self-reflection. I felt represented in a way I haven't before in contemporary literature. For example, Tomine and the film-makers successfully interweave some hitting questions about fetishization, sexuality, and "panasian" solidarity in a way that resembles how these topics come up in my conversations with my friends.
kirstenrose22's review against another edition
3.0
I don't know what to say about this one. Really unlikeable characters, particularly the main characters. Lots of really cliched discussion of racial identity. Hipsters, man.
bantwalkers's review against another edition
4.0
I read another review on Goodreads about this book falling into clichés and stereotypes. Which I think is kind of accurate. There is the Asian guy who is maybe trying to escape his own race by pursuing white women. There is his super-intellectual girlfriend. Snotty art punk. And raging, but hilarious, lesbian BFF. They are, to some extent, caricatures. But where I think he missed the point is in the poignancy. Agreed, it does get a little heavy-handed, a little Crash-y, when talking about race and making race its focus. But it also deals with race through the lens of these people's relationships, and in doing that actually succeeds in its intentions. It points out the hypocrisies of gender (i.e., it's always OK for men to do what they want sexually, but not for women.) I think it also succeeds in pointing out how all races, not just Asian-Americans, deal with cultural awareness and sensitivities.
Plus it has a great line that goes something like, "I didn't know they had affirmative action in fashion school."
Plus it has a great line that goes something like, "I didn't know they had affirmative action in fashion school."
sshb's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
witcheep's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
pizzaformunchlax's review against another edition
3.0
I liked the art style and the exploration of a relationship breaking down, but why was Ben so awful?!
jesschaney's review
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
natalie_is_reading's review against another edition
3.0
Not sure how dad found this for family book club lol but it was a nice quick read, a fun change of pace to read a graphic novel. I liked the art and the writing I think but the story wasn’t too compelling and the main character was just too much of a jerk for me to like him or understand what the point was anyway.