graphic memoir

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Lenni Reviews: “Until I Meet My Husband” by Ryousuke Nanasaki, Yoshi Tsukizuki & Amber Tamosaitis

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

This is the graphic novel adaptation of the memoir by LGBTQ activist Ryousuke Nanasaki.

I think this is an important book, especially these days, and I’m glad it has a happy ending. It is mildly suggestive as it is an honest retelling about how Nanasaki dealt with his sexuality. It’s emotional but hopeful that things will get better. The art style is perfect for the moody parts and the happy parts. It’s also important for American audiences. It’s so easy to be in a bubble and forget there are intricacies in other places that give unique experiences to LGBTQ+ people outside the US, legally and interpersonally. It feels like a highlight reel, but it’s trying to fit a 200+ page memoir into a 200+ page manga. You’re gonna have to trim some stuff. I do want to read the original book now. 4.7 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Spent: A Comic Novel” by Alison Bechdel

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review and is suggested for mature readers. 

While called a novel in the title, this memoir details Alison living with her partner on their pygmy goat sanctuary as she tries to come up with and pitch her next book.

I love how self-reflective this is and not because it makes me feel less crazy for doing the same thing: looking at the world and wanting to do something to solve the world’s problems but having no idea where to start. It feels trippy since I’m so much younger than her. I do love seeing her thoughts on watching the show based on her book: Death and Taxidermy and grappling with how while it’s based on her work, it’s someone else’s vision now. There’s also an interesting storyline about her sister writing her own memoir to debunk Alison’s. It all brings out the feeling of being overwhelmed with everything going on, wanting to fix all of it, realizing we can’t, but we can still do something. Even if it’s small. 5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Everything Is Fine, I’ll Just Work Harder: Confessions of a Former Badass” by Cara Gormally

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review. Trigger warning for sexual assault.

Cara is a hard worker. She never skips a run, has plenty of projects and papers to work on, and a solid relationship with her partner. Things are going great until her rapist sends her a friend request. As she spirals, Cara returns to therapy to work through her trauma.

I love how emotions pour through the pages even with the simple art style. In fact, I think keeping the art simple works perfectly. This is one person’s deeply personal journey dealing with her rape and tells you what she wants you to know candidly and at her own comfort. Not to even attempt to judge but I get a strong feeling just from the book that this was cathartic to create and while not an easy read (I can see this triggering some for obvious reasons) I respect this book. 4.9 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “The Murder Next Door: A Graphic Memoir” by Hugh D’Andrade

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

At 10 years old, Hugh came home from school to see his friends crying outside their home because they’d discovered the body of their murdered mother. As an adult, he still struggles with the memories and fear.

This memoir is mainly about how trauma can affect someone in the long term. It’s very honest and not at all subtle which I think is needed; especially since this is about a man dealing with childhood trauma. The best part of this? He’s actually dealing with it. He’s in therapy, looking back, analyzing, talking, considering, and really doing his best to reckon with what happened to him as a child and how it shaped the man he’s become. Speaking as a person who will go as far as to think my feelings are a burden even to my therapist, this is refreshingly unflinching. I like this. It’s insightful and I appreciate it. 4.5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “I Escaped a Chinese Internment Camp” by Zumrat Dawut, Anthony Del Col & Fahmida Azim

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

Zumrat Dawut was arrested and sent to a detention camp for being Muslim in 2018 where she was beaten, interrogated, starved, and forcibly sterilized as part of the Chinese government’s attempt to “reeducate” Uyghr Muslims.

This is super short but gets to the point of the horrible ordeal this poor woman went through but she did make it through to tell her story and that’s important. The art is evocative yet simple; honestly portraying Zumrat’s experiences. If you want something fast and informative, this is a great start but like most graphic novels that are biographies, this is a way to get started on a subject before you dive into further research. 4 out of 5 because it does seem too short.

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Lenni Reviews: “Everything Is OK” by Debbie Tung

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review. Trigger warning for anxiety and depression.

This graphic novel is an exploration of how the author recognized their mental illness and her work in dealing with them so she can start to love herself.

The simple art style packs a real punch when expressing the feelings and thoughts of the author and I found it all very relatable and easy to understand. It has an overall positive message without sounding preachy. It also stresses that dealing with mental illness is not a linear process. A great read if you’re struggling and need some hope or if someone in your life is facing similar issues. 5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Down to the Bone: A Leukemia Story” by Catherine Pioli

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review. Trigger warning for leukemia.

In this graphic biography in a narrative format, Catherine is diagnosed with acute leukemia and follows a course of intense treatments and testing; putting her body through hell in order to fight the disease.

This is very detailed when it comes to exactly what acute leukemia is, what the treatments are, and how it affects Catherine’s body. While the technical parts feel laggy, the clean expressive art style is perfect as it shows the side effects and full range of emotions Catherine goes through. She handles it all with real positivity, humor, and wit. Highly recommended but it’s an emotional read. 4.9 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Queen of Snails: A Graphic Memoir” by Maureen Burdock

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review. Trigger warning for child abuse.

After being forced to move from Germany to the American Midwest, Maureen feels alone with a hyper religious mother and distant grandmother. This graphic novel is the author looking back on her traumatic childhood.

I love the art; the subdued colors with mostly black and white drawings make for a soothing look despite the somber subject matter. Maureen’s past and how it influenced her upbringing is complicated and sad but it is beautifully expressed in this book. Everything about it radiates of someone trying to deal with the weight of those who came before her and the crap she had to deal with on your own. It can be hard to read but I found it was worth it. 4.5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “The Pass” by Espé & J.T. Mahany

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review. Trigger warning for childhood disease.

Camille and Bastien just had their second child and are of course overjoyed at the new arrival. But as time goes on, they discover the baby has severe heart defects and has to go through a long series of medical treatments.

Based on real events, this graphic novel shows the parents desperately trying to find solutions and the strain it has on their marriage, their first child, and even their grand parents. The art is gorgeous, especially when the parents hear what’s wrong and the doctors are describing what needs to be done and the risks. It’s overall hopeful since everyone tries their best to go through this painful and frightening situation. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Gay Giant” by Gabriel Ebensperger

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review and is suggested for mature readers.

This is Gabriel Ebensperger’s autobiographical account of being gay as a kid growing up in Chile. This is short and sweet, relying on some unique art to convey some complex adolescent feelings. Given it’s length it doesn’t quite rise to feeling complete. It’s a little rushed but it feels odd to say “Excuse me, sir, your unique feelings and life experiences aren’t paced well.” These are his stories that he’s sharing with is and he can share them however he wants. It does a great job of expressing the confusion, fear, and conflict of coming to terms with your identity. I think an older teenager or young adult would appreciate this but there is some nudity. Nothing overly explicit. 3.9 out of 5.

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