Shadow Life Kindle Edition
by Hiromi Goto (Author), Ann Xu (Illustrator) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 out of 5 stars 49 ratings
Kindle
$23.77Read with Our Free App
2022 Asian/Pacific American Literature Award Winner for Adult Fiction
2022 L.A Times Book Prize Finalist
Poet and novelist Hiromi Goto effortlessly blends wry, observational slice-of-life literary fiction with poetic magical realism in the tender and surprising graphic novel Shadow Life, with haunting art from debut artist Ann Xu.
When Kumiko’s well-meaning adult daughters place her in an assisted living home, the seventy-six-year-old widow gives it a try, but it’s not where she wants to be. She goes on the lam and finds a cozy bachelor apartment, keeping the location secret even while communicating online with her eldest daughter. Kumiko revels in the small, daily pleasures: decorating as she pleases, eating what she wants, and swimming in the community pool. But something has followed her from her former residence—Death’s shadow.
Kumiko’s sweet life is shattered when Death’s shadow swoops in to collect her. With her quick mind and sense of humor, Kumiko, with the help of friends new and old, is prepared for the fight of her life. But how long can an old woman thwart fate?
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Print length
368 pages
30 March 2021
File size
451633 KB
Review
Kumiko has trapped Death in her vacuum cleaner. Now what does she do with it? --This text refers to the hardcover edition.
From the Publisher
Hiromi Goto is an emigrant from Japan who gratefully lives on the Unceded Musqueam, Skwxwú7mesh, and Tsleil Waututh Territories. She's written <i>Chorus of Mushrooms</i>, <i>The Kappa Child</i>, along with three novels for children and youth, a book of poetry, and a collection of short stories. <i>Shadow Life</i> is her first graphic novel. Ann Xu is an Ignatz-nominated cartoonist and illustrator. She graduated with a BFA in Illustration from the Maryland Institute College of Art in 2017. --This text refers to the hardcover edition.
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4.4 out of 5 stars 49 ratings
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Toniahe
4.0 out of 5 stars A very nice story that I would definitely recommendReviewed in Germany 🇩🇪 on 11 July 2021
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I don't read a lot of graphic novels, but this was definitely a good one!
I loved the cast of older characters (especially the representation of older LGBT+ characters) as well as the fact that the characters were layered and could express their individual personalities even though this was a graphic novel.
Also, the art was all done in black and white (and a lot of shades of grey in between), which was not only beautiful but also fit the mood of the story to a tee.
All in all a very nice and heartwarming story that I would definitely recommend.
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Barb
4.0 out of 5 stars Funny and heartwarmingReviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on 12 June 2021
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When I first rec'd the Shadow Life book I opened it & noticed it was like a picture book, every page just a drawing with a few words on it..I wasn't happy..(perhaps this was made apparent when I ordered but if so, I missed it). Anyway, turns out that not only was it entertaining to me, but, unfortunately, I related to some of the things this woman was going through, being 70 yrs old. Also, since I'm totally blind in one eye & have a cataract in other, turns out the 'picture book' didn't give me eye strain headaches like regular books so I breezed right thru it. It was funny & heartwarming.
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Paige B.
5.0 out of 5 stars ExcellentReviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on 5 April 2021
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This is the best graphic novel I’ve read this year so far. It’s a brilliant, very original story about an elderly woman who is trying to outsmart and avoid Death. She is such a wonderful character, all the characters are, and the artwork is just beautiful and perfect.
This is a story that will stay with you. It’s touching, funny, suspenseful, and thought-provoking. Really really great. A masterpiece.
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Sarah
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved this bookReviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on 9 October 2022
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It was a great graphic novel. Very good story about the end of life and living despite getting old.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Elderly Badass Woman HeroReviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on 31 May 2021
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Lovely story beautifully illustrated. Not your typical graphic novel in the best possible way.
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