Messy Roots
| File:Messy Roots cover.jpg | |
| Author | Laura Gao |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Laura Gao Weiwei Xu (colorist) |
| Language | English |
| Genre | |
| Publisher | HarperCollins |
Publication date | March 8, 2022 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Pages | 272 |
| ISBN | 978-0-06-306777-6 |
Messy Roots: A Graphic Memoir of a Wuhanese-American is a graphic novel and memoir written and illustrated by Laura Gao, with coloring by Weiwei Xu. It was published on March 8, 2022, by HarperCollins. It originates from the comic "The Wuhan I Know," which describes the author's relationship to the city of Wuhan.
Background
Creation and conception
To portray a lack of comfort in the United States, Gao uses duller colors, while in the sections in Wuhan she uses lighter colors.[1] To emphasize certain portions, the comic uses the color red.[2]
Reception
Kirkus Reviews commented on the novel's intersection of Gao's different identities, and called the author's retelling of the tale of Chang'e the "[m]ost compelling" section of the novel. They concluded by praising the Gao's illustrations and Xu's coloring, and called Messy Roots "[a] nuanced representation of being Asian and transnational in the contemporary U.S."[2] For the School Library Journal, Elise Martinez said: "A tender story of self-acceptance that lifts the story of Wuhan beyond COVID and shines light on a region with a rich culture and history."[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Martinez, Elise (March 1, 2022). "Messy Roots: A Graphic Memoir of a Wuhanese-American". School Library Journal. Retrieved March 10, 2022.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Messy Roots". Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved March 10, 2022.
Further reading
External links
- Messy Roots: A Graphic Memoir - HarperCollins
- "The Wuhan I Know" - Laura Gao's official website
