A review by dngoldman
Advocate: A Graphic Memoir of Family, Community, and the Fight for Environmental Justice by Eddie Ahn

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

3.75

In his debut graphic memoir, Eddie Ahn tells the story of his life as a Korean American lawyer and activist who fights for environmental justice in San Francisco. Advocate is a book that works on several levels: it is a touching immigrant story that shows the clash of culture and values between his parents' generation, Eddie, and America; it is a portrait of an earnest doer who struggles between doing good, supporting himself, and honoring his family's sacrifice; and it is a chronicle of some of the most important environmental battles in the Bay Area, such as the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard and the Chevron Richmond Refinery. 

Ahn's writing is honest and candid, but sometimes lacks the flair and depth that would make his memoir more engaging. He covers a lot of ground in a relatively short book, but this also means that some of the events and characters are not fully developed or explored. However, Ahn's graphics are perfect for the medium, intimate and colorful, capturing the emotions and personalities of the people he meets and the places he visits. The illustrations also convey the beauty and diversity of San Francisco, as well as the threats and challenges it faces from pollution and gentrification. 

Despite some shortfalls, Advocate has good balance of the intimate and inspirational.