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A review by chwaters
Emiko Superstar by Steve Rolston, Mariko Tamaki
4.0
A fun, light-hearted graphic novel by one of the authors of "Skim". Emiko self-identifies as a geek and has typically been OK with being in the background. Her summer is promising to be boring, the only thing getting her out of the house being her babysitting job for a young couple. One day, she witnesses a unique girl making a scene by dancing and tossing out flyers advertising a freak show. In spite of her hesitations, Emiko is intrigued and eventually makes her way to the club where she is utterly enchanted by the freedom of expression on stage. Emiko decides she wants to become a part of the scene and begins to work on an act. Inspiration eludes her until she stumbles across a journal written by the mother of her babysitting charge.
In a sense, this is a coming-of-age tale. Emiko is dire need of something to help her discover who she really is. While a freak show may not be the answer for everyone, Emiko's sense of liberation while performing is easy to relate to. With a little bit of help from some of the women in her life (though they will likely never realize it), Emiko is able to transform herself into a superstar of sorts. How long can she keep it up? Furthermore, how long can the freak show scene sustain itself?
I liked it a lot. And I really, really want to visit that freak show to see for myself the acts portrayed in the book. It's pretty rare to see performance art depicted in a teen graphic novel, so that makes this little book unique. Emiko is easy to relate to, especially for anyone who's ever spent time in the shadows. It's hard not to be enchanted by the world Emiko becomes a part of and it's disappointing when she ultimately has to move on.
In a sense, this is a coming-of-age tale. Emiko is dire need of something to help her discover who she really is. While a freak show may not be the answer for everyone, Emiko's sense of liberation while performing is easy to relate to. With a little bit of help from some of the women in her life (though they will likely never realize it), Emiko is able to transform herself into a superstar of sorts. How long can she keep it up? Furthermore, how long can the freak show scene sustain itself?
I liked it a lot. And I really, really want to visit that freak show to see for myself the acts portrayed in the book. It's pretty rare to see performance art depicted in a teen graphic novel, so that makes this little book unique. Emiko is easy to relate to, especially for anyone who's ever spent time in the shadows. It's hard not to be enchanted by the world Emiko becomes a part of and it's disappointing when she ultimately has to move on.