Araki, Mari & Kashyap, Keshni. Tina’s Mouth: An Existential Comic Diary. New York: Houghton Mifflin, 2012.
Genre: Graphic Novel, Contemporary
Intended Audience: 14 and up
Personal reaction to the book
This graphic novel is about Tina, an Indian-American teenage girl who experiences the normal trials and tribulations of adolescence: crushes on boys who send mixed signals, wavering loyalties in friendships, and the struggle to define one’s own identity.
The theme of existentialism runs throughout the novel because Tina is taking a course in Existentialism at her upscale private high school.
I liked this book. It didn’t rock my world, and I’m not sure that I’ll remember it too well in the blur of what I’ve read, but it was amusing. I liked the way that Tina explored her Southeast Asian identity, particularly that of her parents and her parents’ friends. The book was also populated with interesting supporting characters like Tina’s sister and the Existentialism teacher who they call the Moose. The book was somewhat deceptive because it was generally told in a lighthearted tone, but often it would deal with heavy subject matter. I found myself relating to some of Tina’s problems, especially those about guys who send mixed signals and friends who are hot and cold with their loyalties. It did remind me of the TV series Daria. I wouldn’t think this is an essential graphic novel to have in a library collection, but it did tell a good story.
Author Facts
- Kashyap studied literature at Berkeley and film at UCLA and was raised in Los Angeles, just like Tina.
- Kashyap is a sometimes contributor to the web-magazine The Daily Beast.
- Araki has three cats named Nade, Nini, and Rock.
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