Library Journal Reviews Shortcomings
Tomine, Adrian. Shortcomings. Drawn & Quarterly. Oct. 2007. 104p. ISBN 978-1-897299-16-6. $19.95. F
The Asian American film festival was a bore, and it seems that anything Asian is an aversion for twenty-something Ben Tanaka, a directionless, negative, and highly defensive movie theater manager residing in the Bay Area. Of course, Ben refuses to acknowledge his attraction to all things non-Asian, especially blonde girls, which his Asian girlfriend finds so apparent in his wandering eye and choice of Sapphic Sorority DVDs. Ben is finally forced to deal with his conflicting leanings and Japanese heritage when his girlfriend leaves for New York to attend film school. Alone, he searches for new girlfriends and conducts café chats with Alice, his lesbian friend. Yet his old obsessions motivate him the most. Tomine’s first full-length graphic novel (originally serialized in Optic Nerve) is a subtle and restrained real-life drama that confronts racial and sexual norms. The racial identity of the characters is ostensibly represented by their hair color, and Tomine’s realistic black-and-white artwork further suggests this symbolism by drawing the focus there. His use of facial expression and command of dialog keep the reader engaged in this character study; the story line itself is rather conventional and feels familiar. A few panels of frontal nudity and instances of language, plus the more adult subject matter, make it more suitable for older teens on up. Shortcomings would be a credit to any graphic novel collection.—David Garza, AWBERC Lib. U.S. EPA, Cincinnati
The Asian American film festival was a bore, and it seems that anything Asian is an aversion for twenty-something Ben Tanaka, a directionless, negative, and highly defensive movie theater manager residing in the Bay Area. Of course, Ben refuses to acknowledge his attraction to all things non-Asian, especially blonde girls, which his Asian girlfriend finds so apparent in his wandering eye and choice of Sapphic Sorority DVDs. Ben is finally forced to deal with his conflicting leanings and Japanese heritage when his girlfriend leaves for New York to attend film school. Alone, he searches for new girlfriends and conducts café chats with Alice, his lesbian friend. Yet his old obsessions motivate him the most. Tomine’s first full-length graphic novel (originally serialized in Optic Nerve) is a subtle and restrained real-life drama that confronts racial and sexual norms. The racial identity of the characters is ostensibly represented by their hair color, and Tomine’s realistic black-and-white artwork further suggests this symbolism by drawing the focus there. His use of facial expression and command of dialog keep the reader engaged in this character study; the story line itself is rather conventional and feels familiar. A few panels of frontal nudity and instances of language, plus the more adult subject matter, make it more suitable for older teens on up. Shortcomings would be a credit to any graphic novel collection.—David Garza, AWBERC Lib. U.S. EPA, Cincinnati
<< Home