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3.46 AVERAGE
3.46 AVERAGE
Retrato del final de una relación y casi podíamos decir también que de una amistad. A veces el salto de la universidad a la vida adulta con todas sus consecuencias puede ser complicado, sobre todo si eres como el protagonista y no quieres aceptar que las cosas cambian.
Very slim volume collecting three (?) issues of the comic. Would be better if it were longer.
A lackluster story about an unsympathetic character, who turns out to be surrounded by other unsympathetic characters. Skippable, but a quick read.
If you are a person who is already quite paranoid in a relationship, stay away from this book!
I have practically read everything by Adrian Tomine but I intentionally left Shortcomings until the end because trust is very important to me. I initially read the blurb and thought 'Oh no, it's going to be about Ben cheating on his girlfriend, Miko, with some blonde.' (Actually this wasn't completely far from the truth) but Shortcomings is pretty clever and nice in the way that it embodies the mantra "what comes around, goes around."
Shortcomings focuses on a Japanese couple - Ben and Miko, the former works as a manager for a failing theatre company while Miko works in the art sector and leaves Berkeley for NYC for a 4 month internship. Their conversations are fraught with tension and a lot of sniping passes between them.
Now, I'm going to sound a bit biased here (being a female and all) but I do agree where Miko is coming from (with regards to "types"). Miko moves to NYC in pursuit of her furthering her career, yet Ben is too pig-headed and self-centred to see this. He wants Miko to consider him all of the time, and, realistically, you can't. If you do, you're just going to make yourself miserable, but Miko doesn't want Ben to move with her and says she's fine going on her own. She gives him a chance to fight for her to stay and to make her want to come back to Berkeley but he just sulks and Miko's mind (by then) is made up.
Despite them never declaring that they have "broken up", as soon as Miko leaves, Ben starts chasing after a blonde white girl called Autumn (his newest employee). After a couple of meetings, they sleep together. When Autumn asks 'what about your girlfriend', Ben says they they've 'broken up'. Now, this really got to me!!! (inserts mind rant)
Whilst reading Shortcomings, I kept thinking 'It seems like everyone is incapable of being loyal', which depressed me a bit, if I'm being completely honest.
For the first half of the book, Shortcomings was starting to get under my skin (only because it is a raw and very realistic portrayal of contemporary relationships) but this is also why I enjoyed it - yes, at times, it was a painful read, but if you persevere, then you find out that Ben gets his just desserts and that made me laugh and go 'ha! Serves you right, you jerk!'
I did find Shortcomings one of Tomine's hardest (if not, the hardest) graphic novels to get into because Ben, the protagonist, is just so bloody annoying, neurotic, sarcastic, bitter, moody, judgemental, selfish and incredibly narrow-minded. I didn't want him to have a happy ending and I'm really pleased with how Tomine decided to end Shortcomings.
I'm not going to go into what he finds out because I don't want to spoil it for others but horrible people shouldn't have nice endings and this comes true here.
My favourite character by far was Alice Kim, Ben's friend, and she just really lifted the story for me (and my mood). I loved how she spoke to him (she wasn't one to hold back or pull her punches) and tried to make him more self-aware of his comments and actions, which he seemed blinkered to about 95% of the time.
Tomine is a master storyteller and Shortcomings is a great little graphic novel which is very raw, painfully honest at times, but also incredibly rewarding.
If you enjoy seeing people get their comeuppance then this book is for you!
funny
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'm pretty much brand new to the graphic book genre, and I was buying Watchmen when this one caught my eye. I loved the cover, so I bought it, and I ended up very pleased. I like simple stories, and I like stories about people that aren't that likable.
The main character in this is not likable, and the other characters are more likable, but still pretty much make a mess of everything. I thought it brought up some important points, though I've also read some reviews that criticize his portrayal of these issues. But as an introduction (for me) to Asian-American issues, it sparked an interest, so whether I pursue reading more criticism or praise of it, I'm glad it brought up a lot for me to think about.
The main character in this is not likable, and the other characters are more likable, but still pretty much make a mess of everything. I thought it brought up some important points, though I've also read some reviews that criticize his portrayal of these issues. But as an introduction (for me) to Asian-American issues, it sparked an interest, so whether I pursue reading more criticism or praise of it, I'm glad it brought up a lot for me to think about.
I found this graphic novel compelling in that it was a bit like a train wreck. Ben’s persistent negativity and misery gave me a “what terrible thought/comment will he say next” momentum as I read.
I found myself wanting to find resolution with Alice and Miko’s stories. Ben was so incredibly unlikeable, I could give two shakes about his future. Every woman he encountered was better off without him.
I also wondered why Tomine wrote this. Reading the Goodreads description, I understand why Tomine brought these issues to the surface. I guess they could have been told as more of a memoir experience but this will do.
I found myself wanting to find resolution with Alice and Miko’s stories. Ben was so incredibly unlikeable, I could give two shakes about his future. Every woman he encountered was better off without him.
I also wondered why Tomine wrote this. Reading the Goodreads description, I understand why Tomine brought these issues to the surface. I guess they could have been told as more of a memoir experience but this will do.
Shortcomings was great. I winded up reading it twice and still enjoyed it the second time around. Great drawings too!