Chopsticks

Title: Chopsticks
Authors: Jessica Anthony and Rodrigo Corral (illustrator)
Pages: 272
Format: Graphic Novel (sort of?)
Summary:  After her mother died, Glory retreated into herself and her music. Her single father raised her as a piano prodigy, with a rigid schedule and the goal of playing sold-out shows across the globe. Now, as a teenager, Glory has disappeared. As we flash back to the events leading up to her disappearance, we see a girl on the precipice of disaster. Brilliant and lonely, Glory is drawn to an artistic new boy, Frank, who moves in next door. The farther she falls, the deeper she spirals into madness. Before long, Glory is unable to play anything but the song "Chopsticks."

But nothing is what it seems, and Glory's reality is not reality at all. In this stunningly moving novel told in photographs, pictures, and words, it's up to the reader to decide what is real, what is imagined, and what has been madness all along....

My Thoughts: I read this novel within a couple of hours (this is a feat because I'm actually quite a slow reader). This is a love story between Glory and Frank told through a series of photographs, news articles, IM, and letters, essentially. A very touching account of young love, Chopsticks as a whole is so beautiful even when words aren't enough. I found the most touching parts of this story to be when there weren't any written words on the page, just significant images of items or of Frank and Glory together. Very simplistic and an easy read, Chopsticks succeeds in conveying a deep, heartfelt coming of age love story in as few words as possible.
My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars