Same Difference and Other Stories

Summary: Simon and Nancy are twentysomethings living in California, still in that phase in their lives where they're trying to figure out who they are and who they're going to be, even when it seems like others around them are growing up and moving on. They both have secrets - not big, earth-shattering secrets - but smaller things, things they've done of which they're ashamed. For Simon, it was turning down a date with a blind girl for the wrong reasons, and for Nancy, it's the fact that she's been answering love letters sent to a previous tenant of her apartment. Then a trip to Simon's hometown gives both of them the chance to come clean - not only to the people they've wronged, but maybe more importantly, to themselves.

Review: I've show more seen people complain that there's not enough book to this book. And, from one way of looking at things, they're not wrong: it's short, less than 100 pages, and is more of an extended slice-of-life vignette than an intricately plotted novel. It also doesn't involve life-or-death situations or any grand themes, and represents maybe 36 hours in the lives of two fairly self-absorbed young people. But even though it is short, and even though it is fairly simple, it's also one of the most emotionally honest graphic novels I've read. It is simultaneously funny and touching and honest, and the dialogue sounds like they way real people talk (at one point, Simon and Nancy are bantering about what "Oriental Flavor" Ramen tastes like, if "Chicken Flavor" tastes like chicken and "Beef Flavor" tastes like beef, and she leans over and bites him to taste; and I can absolutely see that exact same conversation happening between me and my friends at that age.) The story feels very real; not everything wraps up neatly, but yet it's still satisfying. And let's be honest; most of us are not dealing with epic events on a regular basis, but I'd bet that everyone has some things they've done in the past that they're not proud of, and can relate to the protagonists' confrontation with their own less-than-exemplary behavior. I liked the artwork as well. A few of the panels were a little bit busy for my tastes, but Kim has a real talent for capturing an incredible range of subtle emotions in the faces of his characters... and a lot of the heart of the story plays out through the drawings just as much as through the words. 4 out of 5 stars.

Recommendation: Slight, but very good, and packs more of a punch than you might expect. Definitely recommended to anyone who likes contemporary graphic novels. show less

The first publishing of Derek Kirk Kim's "Same Difference & Other Stories" (by TopShelf) is one of my favorite graphic novels of all time. I fell in love with Derek's method of storytelling and his ability to capture the human emotion within his characters faces. That hint of surprise, that pang of sadness, or the look of longing over a lost loved one so eloquently captured in the characters faces. And while I missed out on the chance to buy a new version of the older book, I was excited to see FirstSecond offering a new edition of "Same Difference" in a nice hardcover format. And while it is a beautifully designed book (I especially love the mylar cover with the fish)...I'm a bit disappointed that it is literally only "Same Difference" show more and that the "other stories" got left by the wayside with no way for new readers to enjoy them unless they go and purchase a used copy of the original book.

The actual story, "Same Difference," is still absolutely fantastic and remains timeless. In the story we meet a group of friends sitting at a local restaurant, in front of the fish tank, discussing where they are in life and what they want from the future. Over the next few pages Simon and Nancy both share secrets about themselves...and in order to resolve a couple of them they head off to Simon's hometown. And the theme of the fish tank, the kinda of outside looking in theme from going back home and watching folks but not really fitting in, reverberates throughout the story in many ways. Especially with the new mylar cover where the reader feels like they're inside the fish tank looking out and hearing the stories being told is a nice touch. The artwork in the story is evocative and captures the emotions of the characters well.

Overall it's a really nice edition of "Same Difference." I just wish other readers had a chance to see the variety and breadth of Derek's abilities without having to purchase a used copy of the original (like I did) and that this new version had a place for the other stories. show less

48. [Same Difference and Other Stories] by Derek Kirk Kim

This graphic novel is the book I gave out at the food bank as part of my World Book Night activities. I chose a graphic novel, because it often feels more accessible to a non- or light reader. Same Difference is written by a thirty year old Korean American for a young adult audience.

The first story, which comprises the majority of the book, is about Simon and Nancy, two friends who search for meaning in relationships old and new. Simon runs into a blind girl whom he had jilted in high school, and Nancy writes letters to a lonely man, pretending to be his girlfriend. Both have to eventually face the people towards whom they had a prejudice, while simultaneously dealing with show more prejudice themselves.

Although I appreciated the themes, I felt that there was little subtlety in the book, neither in messaging, which could be heavily applied, or language, which was occasionally graphic. The ideal audience might be twenty-somethings used to sound bites and interested in issues of identity and belonging. show less

Derek Kirk Kim is not only a pretty fantastic artist, but also a great writer as well. The bulk of the book is one story, "Same Difference." In the story we meet a group of friends discussing where they are in life and when one of them sees an old friend from High School, two of the friends set out on a journey back to home. Along the way they meet back up with old friends from High School and attempt to right a couple of wrongs. Strangely autobiographical, but brilliantly told and illustrated, Derek shows a brief glimpse of life with this story. Other stories included are often short, one or two pages, that seem to illustrate aspects of Derek's life. Sometimes amusing, sometimes a bit...graphic, but always insightful. Derek's artwork show more has matured over the years to where his current style, while stylized in some ways, accurately captures the many nuances of the human face. show less

Liked the characters, but the dialogue was really unnatural in a few places and I felt like I was missing something with Ben Leland at the end.

I picked this up because I wanted something quick to read, it had the same title as something I'm working on and had won all these awards so I thought it would be worth reading. It was a good simple story with good dialogue and worth the read. Good characters and a nice ending.

La primera historia estaba siendo interesante, pero ese final abierto no me gustó mucho. El resto de las historias me parecieron un poco sin sentido, pensamientos aleatorios del autor.