Adrian Tomine

Ben Tanaka, a confused, obsessive, twenty-something Japanese American, embarks on a cross-country search for contentment--or the perfect girl--in a graphic novel that tackles modern culture, sexual mores, and racial politics with honesty and humor.

Shortcomings

picked this up after watching the movie. i prefer this ending compared to the more resolute hollywood movie ending, here ben gets to simmer with all his contradictions and miko's revelation feels more impactful. after this and teju cole's open city, give me more poc pretentious flaneur asshole trope fiction please!!!

personal library, bought from unnameable books prospect heights

Patricia K

picked this up after watching the movie. i prefer this ending compared to the more resolute hollywood movie ending, here ben gets to simmer with all his contradictions and miko's revelation feels more impactful. after this and teju cole's open city, give me more poc pretentious flaneur asshole trope fiction please!!!

personal library, bought from unnameable books prospect heights

Abigail Auvray

The 2007 New York Times Book Review Notable Book now in paperback Lauded for its provocative and insightful portrayal of interpersonal relationships, Adrian Tomine's politically charged Shortcomings was one of the most acclaimed books of 2007. Among many interviews and reviews in outlets around the country, Tomine was interviewed by Terry Gross on NPR's Fresh Air and also in The Believer, New York magazine, and Giant Robot. Shortcomings landed on countless "best of" lists, including those in Entertainment Weekly and The New York Times; was praised by Junot Díaz in Publishers Weekly; and was the subject of a solo review in The New York Times Book Review that drew comparison between Tomine and Philip Roth. The groundbreaking graphic novel now returns in paperback.

Kevin Bertolero

Ana V. 

Vince Fabella

Stephanie Midolo

Michelle Xu

Brianna Best

Grace McCarter

zhao lu

When Miko moves temporarily to live and study in New York she leaves behind behind Ben, a confused, obsessive, 30-year-old theatre manager who finds himself desperately trying to answer the big questions. But aided only by his promiscuous friend Alice, and spending increasing time with his new employee Autumn, things only seem to get more confusing. Does he know what he wants? Is he everything Miko accuses him of? Should he follow her to New York? A painful, charming and stunningly illustrated look at the realities of modern relationships, Shortcomings is one of the most brilliantly subtle, witty and moving graphic novels around.

Shortcomings

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