Reviews - Shortcomings | The StoryGraph

493 reviews for:

Shortcomings

Adrian Tomine

3.46 AVERAGE

vivamonty's review against another edition

3.75

emotional reflective sad fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

There’s a lot to like here in this well-paced story about a thoroughly unlikeable protagonist whose relationship is falling apart. His relentless negativity and emotional immaturity stifle any sort of self-reflection and we watch him design his own path toward sadness. I was hoping for more of a resolution,

some glimmer of him coming to terms with hitting rock bottom and actually doing something to grow up

, but we don’t really get that. I feel like the depth of discourse here about Asian-American sexuality was ahead of its time in 2007.

hellishnoise's review against another edition

1.0

God, I wish I could have my time back. Hated this but was committed to finishing it. Definitely feels “of its time” but even then, so cringey.

Ben was insufferable, just a few pages in and I knew I should have put it down but I didn’t. Not a single redeemable interaction with this guy.

Shortcomings indeed.

dianajj's review against another edition

4.0

I enjoyed this more than I expected. The lead character is so unlikeable but that only raises more important questions about race, culture and society.

7hm's review

2.0

What an absolutely loser. Honestly depressing to read about this guy.

Tomine is a very talented cartoonist but this was just painful.

mayhap's review against another edition

4.0

An accurate–which is to say, not necessarily pleasant–depiction of a slow-motion train wreck breakup.

circularcubes's review against another edition

3.5

Loveable characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I loved the sparseness of the storytelling and the art

[the scene of Ben returning to his empty car and driving home alone after dropping his girlfriend off at the airport is absolutely stunning]

. However, the protagonist is so unlikeable that it's a bit painful to read. In fact, I'd say that just about every character here is deeply flawed. It makes for fascinating but uncomfortable reading. So, beautifully illustrated and well told, but not for everyone.