Tag Archives: struggles

The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Cartoonist by Adrian Tomine

A book review after a loooong time!

The cover of this book seemed a bit unusual. Except for the tiny illustration in the form of a nametag, the cover looks exactly like someone’s Moleskin diary. On top of it is the fact that the story inside is also written and illustrated in the form of short diary entries. Which honestly, makes us connect with the book a bit more personally. Overall, this is a mediocre comic-book story of an American-Japanese cartoonist, who talks about his loneliness and introspection – mostly embarrassing stories that he encountered during various book events, signings, Comic Cons, etc.

There is some strange comforting feeling about the fact that even an accomplished Cartoonists like Adrian Tomine can have and experience such loneliness and have fears of being unaccomplished and unsuccessful in their career. Makes me wonder how critical we can be of ourselves, at times.

This is a warm book for someone who would be interested in reading about the passing thoughts of authors/illustrators when they aren’t busy building up a story or plot for their upcoming novel.

– Suri

Only A Pawn!

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Today, when he looked into the mirror, it wasn’t his reflection that he saw. Instead, what he could see was an embodiment of the struggles of his past. The hauntings of his past. This startled him. He didn’t want to look at himself like that. He had always wanted to be the one who conquered over the emotions. He was like the pawn aspiring to become the King. He knew he wasn’t capable, yet he had that ambition, that fire within him which would take him to greater heights. He had always aimed to set an example to the world, about what it is like to have a turbulent past and yet succeed. Maybe he could really do that. But that, he knows, would only be possible if he learns how to take charge of his own emotions.

Mirror

– Suri