“Level Up” is a significantly different graphic novel than
Gene Yang’s “American Born Chinese.” That
book, using three interwoven metaphorical tales to address immigrant
experiences, is drawn in bold colors with sharp lines. This work still has symbolism and mythos but
is more serious and subtler overall.
Drawn with soft lines and highlighted in watercolors that wash over and
beyond the images, this is a pseudo-autobiographical story of a boy named Dennis. Attracted to computer gaming (which nearly
sinks his college career), Dennis struggles to meet the high ideals of his
parents. Dennis is haunted, literally,
by spirits who follow his every action in day-to-day living. Fighting the stereotypical Asian ideal of
becoming a doctor he seeks a meaningful and purposeful life, eventually coming
to a surprising conclusion after many “re-boots.” The book is very thoughtfully laid out. Childhood sections are a wash of blue,
remembrances are sepia-toned. Each “level
up” (mimicking any number of computer games) represents a new world and
maturation point for Dennis to try and conquer.
Even when Dennis finally gets what he wants he is not happy, as evidenced
in a striking two-page spread that makes the point beautifully (side-note –
check out the shape of the tears when Dennis gets to his breaking point). I stated that this is pseudo-autobiographical
in that I can see a lot of parallels from Gene Yang’s life, but his opening
dedication “… to our brothers Jon and Thinh, both of whom work in the medical
field, for being the good Asian sons” is downright poignant when you read the
book. Makes you think. It was a good, one-sitting, read, although
not nearly as fun as “American Born Chinese.”
And the angels are creepy. But it
is a well-done novel, and worth dipping into.
No comments:
Post a Comment