I really enjoyed reading the excerpts from Liz Prince’s Tomboy. The tone, paired with its graphic novel form, made it easily digestible and a very relaxed read. It was cute, honest, and relatable, posing deep controversial questions while being seamlessly able to subvert any tension that might generate from conversations about gender and identity. I felt Prince provided quite a few compelling examples of how gender works in the world, particularly against woman whether they act according to their gender expectations or not. It made me think about some other instances in which themes of gender and identity were explored in literature that isn’t typically imagined as the “proper” vessel for serious conversations. One such example is the Japanese manga Inside Mari, which deviates from Tomboy in its tone, which is often quite serious, confused, and uncomfortable. It appears to tell the story of a man in his early 20’s suddenly waking up as a woman. What ensues is an exploration into defining womanhood and manhood, with an exceptionally interesting and unexpected twist at the end of the story. One thing the two stories have in common is their use of graphics, a choice which is effective at exploring difficult stories in ways which are more accessible and enjoyed by a wider audience.
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