I have wanted to read Stone Fruit by Lee Lai for several years now. I have had online reader copies, opportunities to get the finished book and then one day I said, “Self, we are asking our library for an interlibrary loan if they don’t have it on shelf.” And then I read it and thought: Perhaps this is the most straightforward maze of a story I’ve recently read. Not an easy read, but moves at the quickest snail pace. It is a combination of contradictions and something that is real. It is an emotional read.
We deal with two women who are trying to navigate the everyday, mental health, their love, one woman’s niece and the connection the women have with her, and how our families react to us. At first I thought, “Oh it’s going to go “this way” and be obvious.” But it didn’t . Then “oh this way” and be obvious. Nope again. Then by the start of the end the biggest clue happens and I thought, “Took a bit, but yup, I got it.”
I won’t spoil anything for you, but know that it is a subject that might not be for a younger or sensitive reader. The book has always been shelved in the adult sections, but a strong teen (at least 13-14 and up) could read as well. It is dealing with everyday things, but with a slight twinge of humor (not “ha ha this is funny” as how can mental health or break ups be funny?) but has something that makes it not “gloom and doom.”
Did I love this book? No. But I did enjoy it so I can say, if you like a slice of life graphic novel then you should read. Don’t let the illustrations turn you off, as they are pretty simplistic and “off beat,” as well as there are scenes where people go “wild” and “natural,” ee get distorted facial and body features. It works, it is not always comfortable to watch.