American Born Chinese is a graphic novel by Gene Luen Yang that tells the story of Jin Wang, an average teenager struggling to fit in with his peers. When he meets a new exchange student on the first day of school, he is unexpectedly thrust into a battle between mythical Chinese gods. The novel explores themes of identity, culture, and family, and has been praised for its humor, heart, and insightful portrayal of the Asian-American experience.
The novel is divided into three parts. The first part, “The Arrival,” tells the story of Jin’s childhood in San Francisco. He is the only Chinese-American kid in his class, and he often feels like an outsider. When he meets Wei-Chen, a new exchange student from China, he is immediately drawn to him. Wei-Chen is everything that Jin is not: confident, popular, and fluent in English. Jin quickly becomes obsessed with Wei-Chen, and he begins to imagine himself as a superhero who can save Wei-Chen from the bullies at school.
The second part of the novel, “The Fake Superman,” tells the story of Jin’s transformation into a superhero. He creates a costume and a secret identity, and he begins to fight crime in his neighborhood. However, his newfound fame soon goes to his head, and he begins to believe that he is truly a superhero. When he is confronted by a real superhero, he is forced to confront his own insecurities and his need for acceptance.
The third and final part of the novel, “The Monkey King,” tells the story of the Monkey King, a legendary figure from Chinese mythology. The Monkey King is a powerful and rebellious figure who is constantly challenging authority. He is also a trickster figure, and he often uses his powers for his own amusement. Jin is drawn to the Monkey King, and he begins to see himself in the character. He realizes that he needs to embrace his own unique identity, and he must stop trying to be someone he is not.
American Born Chinese is a powerful and moving novel that explores the complex issues of identity, culture, and family. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the Asian-American experience.
Here are some additional thoughts on why American Born Chinese is a great graphic novel:
The novel is beautifully illustrated. Yang’s use of color and line is expressive and evocative, and he brings the characters and the story to life.
The novel is funny, heartwarming, and insightful. Yang has a gift for capturing the humor and the heartache of the Asian-American experience, and he writes with a deep understanding of the characters’ motivations.
The novel is an important work of literature. It is a powerful and moving story that will stay with you long after you finish reading it.
The novel’s title is a reference to the Chinese-American experience. The term “American-born Chinese” is often used to describe people who are born in the United States to Chinese parents. However, as Yang’s novel shows, the Asian-American experience is much more complex than that. Asian-Americans come from a variety of backgrounds, and they face a variety of challenges.
The novel explores the issue of identity. Jin Wang struggles to find his place in the world. He is Chinese, but he was born and raised in the United States. He doesn’t feel like he fits in with either the Chinese community or the American community. The novel shows how difficult it can be for Asian-Americans to find their identity in a society that often doesn’t understand them.
The novel also explores the issue of culture. Jin Wang’s parents are Chinese immigrants, and they want him to learn about Chinese culture. However, Jin doesn’t want to be different from his American friends. He wants to fit in, and he doesn’t think that learning about Chinese culture will help him do that. The novel shows how difficult it can be for Asian-Americans to maintain their culture in a society that often doesn’t value it.
Finally, the novel explores the issue of family. Jin Wang’s parents are immigrants, and they have different expectations for him than his American friends’ parents do. Jin feels like he has to choose between his family and his friends. The novel shows how difficult it can be for Asian-Americans to balance their family obligations with their American lives.
The novel’s use of Chinese mythology is a powerful way to explore the themes of identity and culture. The Monkey King is a complex and contradictory figure, and he represents the many different aspects of the Asian-American experience. He is powerful and rebellious, but he is also flawed and vulnerable. He is a trickster, but he is also a hero. The Monkey King is a powerful symbol for the Asian-American experience, and his story helps to explain the challenges and triumphs of being Asian-American in America.
The novel’s humor is a valuable tool for exploring the difficult topics of identity, culture, and family. Yang’s wit and satire help to make the novel accessible and enjoyable, even when it is dealing with serious issues. The novel’s humor helps to make the reader feel less alone in their struggles, and it also helps to make the novel more memorable.
The novel’s ending is hopeful and optimistic. Jin Wang finally comes to terms with his identity and his culture. He realizes that he does not have to choose between his Chinese heritage and his American life. He can be both Chinese and American, and he can be proud of both of his cultures. The novel’s ending is a powerful message of hope for Asian-Americans, and it shows that it is possible to find a place in America without having to give up your culture.
