Just So Happens

Just So Happens is a beautifully written and drawn graphic novel about grief and finding yourself. I loved Obata’s attention to detail in his artwork and the vibrant watercolors he uses to make the story picturesque, but realistic.

The story follows Yumiko as she returns home to Japan for her dad’s funeral. It shows readers how one deals with grief, but also illustrates a deeper look into the funeral ceremonies of Japanese culture. Yumiko has assimilated herself so deeply in London’s culture and in doing so she has separated herself from her heritage. She doesn’t talk about her culture or her home life much and tries to avoid it whenever it comes up in conversation. This creates a bit of an identity crisis for Yumiko and going show more back home allows her to sort things out.

Although readers are introduced to Yumiko for a short time, I really appreciate how she develops over the course of the story and readers get to know her intimately in such short period of time. Going back home seems to be a therapeutic process for Yumiko to accept and acknowledge her roots, but also to come to peace with her father’s death.

The thing I most enjoyed about this book is that it offers an immigrants perspective of living in a place separate from your native home. On top of that, I also learned about some cultural aspects of Japan that I hadn’t studied in my previous Japanese language and culture classes that I’ve had in the past.

Overall, this graphic novel was short, but it said a great deal in the span of 160 pages. I admired its message of “home is where the heart is” and how it tackles the issues of cultural identity. I learned a lot from reading this book and thoroughly enjoyed the artwork and the characters as well. show less

***SECOND TIME READING FOR THE MAGICAL READATHON YEAR 2020***
OWL Muggle Studies - Book from the perspective of a Muggle (contemporary)

I read this while my partner was listening to metal songs in Hindi, Turkish, Japanese and Maori (?) Somehow it felt very fitting to this story.

***AFTER THE FIRST TIME READING***
I bought this as a birthday present to myself (not because the salesperson was so enthusiastic about it). Then I forgot about it because I do that sometimes when I don't immediately read something.

I'm glad I did.

This... was a quiet story. Not much happens but that was its power.

I have the tendency to forget things. To get distracted with other stuff. I also did while reading this. But the emotion it created had such an impact on show more me. It wasn't a bad thing I got distracted because I would remember. I would feel.

Like I said it's a quiet story. Not much happens except for the emotions of one person. The art style helps with that. I don't have any training in the arts so I don't know what's it called. But it's beautiful. It felt like I was in Japan and London. Even the part about Noh theatre. I know nothing about it but for a vague memory of a documentary I once saw (?). Few tones of a instrument I don't know.

I did have some questions but... in the end they don't matter because I loved it. A story I will enjoy in the years to come. show less

Simple graphic novel about Japanese-born Londoner who returns home for her father's funeral. A moving story and culturally interesting, describing the Japanese funeral rituals. I particularly liked the perspectives of the drawings - often looking down on a crowd of individuals.

I liked this story and didn't necessarily find anything wrong with it...I think I just wanted more. The Noh theater metaphor was really interesting. I feel like if Yumiko had spent just slightly longer back home, I would have gotten a better grasp of her story and the depth of her emotions. Still--beautiful art and an interesting homecoming (of sorts) story.

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Counting as "culture other than your own" for the Panels Read Harder challenge.

I consumed this memoir in an hour or two. It is a fairly easy read.

I loved Obata's drawing style, but I find the story somewhat lacking. I realize that this was obviously a very personal work, but that didn't make it interesting. I lost my own father last year, so I thought I would empathize more with the sudden death, the struggle of a family you don't see often, but I wasn't engaged with her telling, despite a personal connection. It was not gripping writing.

The stuff about the Noh Theatre was beautifully drawn, but I did not find this comic to be as informative as people suggested to me. There are few few lines of new information, but it didn't really draw insight into another culture.

At the end of the day, I would attempt another show more Obata work, but I am giving away this one. show less

I consumed this memoir in an hour or two. It is a fairly easy read.

I loved Obata's drawing style, but I find the story somewhat lacking. I realize that this was obviously a very personal work, but that didn't make it interesting. I lost my own father last year, so I thought I would empathize more with the sudden death, the struggle of a family you don't see often, but I wasn't engaged with her telling, despite a personal connection. It was not gripping writing.

The stuff about the Noh Theatre was beautifully drawn, but I did not find this comic to be as informative as people suggested to me. There are few few lines of new information, but it didn't really draw insight into another culture.

At the end of the day, I would attempt another show more Obata work, but I am giving away this one. show less

I read this graphic novel on a rainy afternoon on a tram packed with people. I credit this book for allowing me to completely disappear, I almost missed my stop! Worth checking out.