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lettuce_read's review against another edition
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Suicide attempt, and Mental illness
Moderate: Racism, Bullying, and Fatphobia
literarybookishness's review against another edition
fast-paced
5.0
Thank you First Second Books and Netgalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review!
Wow, this book got me really emotional. That's how impressed I am. I usually read fiction, so reading non-fiction is always a very different experience. Whenever I see the words 'Graphic Memoir', I always feel like it's gonna be good. Many illustrators are just so skilled at making memoirs and Deb was no different. It had every element you need to tell a good round story. It was an impactful read and I'm sure that a lot of folks will feel very seen reading this story.
I finished the book feeling so proud of Deb and how far they've come. At the end you get a short update on how they're currently doing, which I thought was a really nice addition.
Thank you Deb for being so open with sharing your story.
I highly recommend reading this book, but I do encourage you to look at the content warning, because the book does discuss heavy subjects.
CW: racism, bullying, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempt and domestic abuse
Wow, this book got me really emotional. That's how impressed I am. I usually read fiction, so reading non-fiction is always a very different experience. Whenever I see the words 'Graphic Memoir', I always feel like it's gonna be good. Many illustrators are just so skilled at making memoirs and Deb was no different. It had every element you need to tell a good round story. It was an impactful read and I'm sure that a lot of folks will feel very seen reading this story.
I finished the book feeling so proud of Deb and how far they've come. At the end you get a short update on how they're currently doing, which I thought was a really nice addition.
Thank you Deb for being so open with sharing your story.
I highly recommend reading this book, but I do encourage you to look at the content warning, because the book does discuss heavy subjects.
CW: racism, bullying, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempt and domestic abuse
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Racism and Bullying
fareehareads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Thank you to Netgalley and First Second books for an arc of this graphic memoir.
After reading this, I know that I have to get my hands on a physical copy once it's out! I have followed along with Deb JJ Lee's art for a few years now, she's one of my favorite illustrators so I just knew this would be the type of comic for me. This story follows Deb's life as a Korean American attempting to fit in and juggle the real stressors of school life, friendships, immigrant parent trauma, and her own self image. So many of the experiences in this memoir mirror my own as I'm sure a lot of diaspora kids will feel reading her story. In her author notes she mentions how a few of the experiences were included out of order or compressed to help with the narrative flow. This definitely doesn't take away from the story at all, in fact, I think the way she decided to ultimately tell the story gives more room for readers to really sit with and understand the way these events effect kids and follow them in their life. The therapy scenes genuinely made me tear up, this whole memoir felt like a hug and healing session. Aside from the story itself, my favorite aspect was the drawing style. I love when graphic memoirs include photography into the panels and follow it with a sensory description. Each panel had unique shading paired with precise linework for each character. The one and two page spreads were stunning and I'm sure they look even more amazing in print. If you're looking for a new memoir to add to your shelf, I highly recommend picking this up!
After reading this, I know that I have to get my hands on a physical copy once it's out! I have followed along with Deb JJ Lee's art for a few years now, she's one of my favorite illustrators so I just knew this would be the type of comic for me. This story follows Deb's life as a Korean American attempting to fit in and juggle the real stressors of school life, friendships, immigrant parent trauma, and her own self image. So many of the experiences in this memoir mirror my own as I'm sure a lot of diaspora kids will feel reading her story. In her author notes she mentions how a few of the experiences were included out of order or compressed to help with the narrative flow. This definitely doesn't take away from the story at all, in fact, I think the way she decided to ultimately tell the story gives more room for readers to really sit with and understand the way these events effect kids and follow them in their life. The therapy scenes genuinely made me tear up, this whole memoir felt like a hug and healing session. Aside from the story itself, my favorite aspect was the drawing style. I love when graphic memoirs include photography into the panels and follow it with a sensory description. Each panel had unique shading paired with precise linework for each character. The one and two page spreads were stunning and I'm sure they look even more amazing in print. If you're looking for a new memoir to add to your shelf, I highly recommend picking this up!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Domestic abuse, Bullying, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Toxic friendship and Body shaming
inkdrinkeranonymous's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
3.5
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
In Limbo hit very close to home regarding identity and mental health struggles. It was a very heavy book. The ending was very beautiful and moving.
At times the order of events felt a bit disjointed and confusing.
Overall, In Limbo was a solid book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Racism, Self harm, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Body shaming, Bullying, Fatphobia, Physical abuse, Cursing, Suicide attempt, Grief, Racial slurs, and Suicidal thoughts
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5
Thanks to NetGalley and First Second for an advanced copy of In Limbo by Deborah Jung-Jin Lee to review! I was immediately drawn in by this cover. It is absolutely stunning. Since this is an advanced copy, the illustrations were in black and white, and I'm not sure if the final draft will be in color. Even so, if they stay in black and white, the artwork throughout the book is just as stunning as the cover.
There have been quite a few graphic novel memoirs of this nature that have come out in the past few years, about growing up an immigrant in the United States. This one delves a little deeper in talking about mental health, specifically suicide and depression. There are some absolutely heartbreaking moments in this, and you can feel the emotions through the illustrations. The writing paired with the art makes this book a truly emotional experience.
Lee doesn't shy away from the difficult nature of suicide and the aftermath of a suicide attempt. I appreciated that art was one of the ways that she used to help take care of her mental health, and it's reflected in the graphic novel format itself.
I always have a hard time rating memoirs because they are accounts of real people's lives. But I think there's a lot teens will find to relate to in this one, and I can't wait to see what the final illustrations look like, honestly. I'll have to check out a final copy when it comes out in March.
All in all, this is a powerful, emotional graphic memoir that you'll want to add to your shelf.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Child abuse, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Bullying, Fatphobia, and Racism
Minor: Racial slurs
bargainandbooks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
This was so emotional. The pain that Jung-Jin goes through as an adolescent is so visceral the way it is shown here. So many points in her life where she was looking for something (support, love, herself, etc) and was left lonely and lost and confused. My heart ached. I loved witnessing how she was able to grow into herself and still acknowledge her past and her pain. Recognizing that past relationships, mental health and trauma all make us who we are. Even when we are still Trying to understand
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Mental illness, Fatphobia, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
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