In Waves is graphic novel by AJ Dungo, published in 2019. As you might notice from the cover, the book’s content will soon be animated movie available in the US on Netflix. I will write about that in a separate post, but first I thought I would review this book.
Here’s a quick summary, from a publishing house:
In this visually arresting graphic novel, surfer and illustrator AJ Dungo remembers his late partner and the shared love of surfing that endured throughout their difficult times.
Dungo explores the beauty and complexity of his relationship with his partner as they face her prolonged battle with cancer. With a passion for surfing at the forefront of this narrative, Dungo intertwines his own story with those of the great heroes of surf in a rare work of non-fiction that is as moving as it is fascinating.
I found this book simultaneously sad, moving, yet inspirational. It makes one think about who to get the most out of life, with the example of someone who tried to make the most of her limited amount of time. In addition, In Waves doesn’t explicitly state that AJ and Kristen are Filipino American. You can see it, though, through the art and the subtle hints of Filipino American culture. Clutching a rosary, going to Catholic school, hanging with the cousins – I see my own life and that of my family embedded in those small details.
I strongly recommend this book. It has won several awards from graphic novels from groups around the world. As I mentioned, I will write a separate post on the Netflix animated version of this movie.
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