Chopsticks by Jessica Anthony, Rodrigo Corral-Graphic Novel Review

Chopsticks by Jessica Anthony, Rodrigo Corral

I love graphic novels... especially graphic novels that are unique.  I read so many graphic novel blog posts to learn about good ones and boy is this one GREAT!  Goodreads description:

After her mother died, Glory retreated into herself and her music. Her single father raised her as a piano prodigy, with a rigid schedule and the goal of playing sold-out shows across the globe. Now, as a teenager, Glory has disappeared. As we flash back to the events leading up to her disappearance, we see a girl on the precipice of disaster. Brilliant and lonely, Glory is drawn to an artistic new boy, Frank, who moves in next door. The farther she falls, the deeper she spirals into madness. Before long, Glory is unable to play anything but the song "Chopsticks." 
But nothing is what it seems, and Glory's reality is not reality at all. In this stunningly moving novel told in photographs, pictures, and words, it's up to the reader to decide what is real, what is imagined, and what has been madness all along.... 

Amazing.  AMAZING!  Chopsitcks is mainly pictures/drawings that you interpret the story from. Though I admit I was confused sometimes and didn't really get the story from the pictures.  It doesn't matter though!  I am in love.  OK first off let's start with the art in the book. I mean just unlike any graphic novel I have read so far.  So creative.  These pictures may not look like they are from the novel but they are!

Now for the story.  We see a downward spiral of a girl named Glory.  We can see it through the pictures and art.  She is forced by her dad to go on tours since she plays piano.  She seems to me to have a mental illness that just starts to manifest and become worse.  She dates a boy who kind of helps her mental illness but when she is separated from him things for her gets worse. The story seems to hint that her mother had this same mental illness (you learn this in a letter written to her father).  This book is a love story and a mystery.  The end to me is confusing.. of course as the reader you are supposed to figure out for your self what happens to Glory and Francisco.

The story even incorporates youtube videos that you can actually type in the link and watch what the characters are watching.   I thought this was neat (of course when I do this my youtube wants to crash and I can't see all the videos so I have to go back and watch some of them). 

 I just want to figure out the mystery.  I looked back through all the pages try to figure out the clues and the hints.  I almost though Glory and Frank were maybe the same person???  I love stories though when I have to really think by looking at art/pictures.  I suppose that is what draws me to graphic novels. I hear there is an iPhone/iPad app to go with the book.  I haven't downloaded it so I won't review it here.   I also read that when reading it on an iPad the pages will switch order to give you a different take on the story.

The book really is like looking at scrap book of someone's life.  It made me want to make a scrap book.  I am so glad I discovered this book through blogging!! Yeah!! It is so interesting I just want to discuss it with someone.  It should for sure be a book club pick!

The crystal ball says:

Sun is shinning!!!  Great day to go outside and read this book.