Derek Kirk Kim

A series of short stories in graphic novel format follows a group of friends in their twenties as they navigate young adulthood and relationships.

Same Difference

Maggie Gordon

If I were to rate this book only on the art and the book design, it easily deserves a five. Unfortunately, the story doesn't quite live up to the visual creativity produced by Kim. The book follows Simon and Nancy, two twenty-somethings who are trying to figure out exactly what it means to be a grown-up. In many ways, their tale reminds me of some of the questions and feelings I had only a few short years ago. On the other hand, I was uncomfortable with the thoughtless cruelty of Nancy, and I would have preferred her character arc have been a bit more explicit. Overall, it's a good read, but Kim doesn't get deep enough into these two characters and their growth for the book to be all that affecting for me. I would recommend Same Difference, but not as enthusiastically as the awards it won seem to warrant.

Nadine 

Rather unusual graphic novel about two geeky Korean post-school teen. It combines an incident where one goes back to his hometown with some memories of high school and raises some questions about how one behaves and the way this goes on to haunt you, yet another person may have a completely different association and memory of the event.
The characters are very real, and not particularly likeable, which is an interesting perspective.

Definitely on the HS & above level of readers

Same Difference

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