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Publication Order of The Search Books
Publication Order of The Promise Books
with Michael Dante DiMartino, Bryan KonietzkoPublication Order of The Rift Books
Publication Order of Boxers & Saints Books
Publication Order of North and South Books
Publication Order of Secret Coders Books
Publication Order of The Shadow Hero Books
Publication Order of Shang-Chi Books
with Marcus ToPublication Order of Smoke and Shadow Books
Publication Order of Superman Graphic Novels
Publication Order of New Super-Man Collections
Publication Order of Avatar: The Last Airbender Collections
with Faith Erin Hicks, Sara GoetterPublication Order of Avatar: The Last Airbender Books
with Golden Books, Faith Erin Hicks, Michael Teitelbaum, Dave Roman, Michael Dante DiMartino, Bryan KonietzkoPublication Order of Monkey Prince Books
Publication Order of Books Of Clash Books
Publication Order of Standalone Novels
Publication Order of Graphic Novels
with Ivan Plascencia, Tom Napolitano, Scott Hanna, Vicente Cifuentes, Brent Peeples, Stephen Segovia, Stephen Downer, Max Raynor, Dan Mora, Protobúnker, Sergio Davila, Matt SantorelloPublication Order of Anthologies
Gene Luen Yang is an American author of graphic novels and comics books. He started drawing comic books while in fifth grade, and he has never looked back. Yang got the Xeric Grant in 1997 for his Gordon Yamamoto and the King of the Geeks comic when he was getting into adulthood. Later, he received the National Book Award for his American Born Chinese comic. Other notable books by Yang include Duncan’s Kingdom and Avatar: The Last Air bender.
American Born Chinese
American Born Chinese is a comic comprising of three unrelated tales that are linked by an unexpected twist. There is the Tale of All Jin Wang, a young boy who wants nothing but to fit in, and the great Chinese fable of the Monkey King. The book also includes the Tale of Chin-Kee, the negative Chinese stereotype, and the effect it has of Yang’s cousin Danny.
The story of Wang is a prominent tale in this comic. Wang and his family have just moved to a new neighborhood, and to his surprise, he is the only Chinese American student in his school. Things get tough when Wang starts to get the brunt of bullies who constantly pick on him for being different. It does not help that he has deep feelings for an all-American girl who is leaving him more than flustered. Aside from dealing with the stigma associated with his Chinese ancestry, he also has to figure the new and strong feelings he has for the girls he has a crush on.
The monkey king tale is centered on a monkey who is adored by all his subjects and excels in all he does. The king can muster the kung-fu act and become the most powerful monkey on earth. Even with all this success, the Monkey King does not want to be a monkey. He wants his subjects to hail him as a god.
Chin-kee is ruining Yang’s cousin’s life. While Danny is among the popular kids in school, his life is negatively affected whenever Chi-Kee visits. The effect is so serious that Danny is forced to change schools yearly to escape the shame. While this year is not any different, things are about to go a notch higher, and the Chi-Kee’s effect is more than devastating.
These three stories get connected in the most unexpected but epic way. The author’s prowess becomes evident when the three stories come together, and you can be sure that you will not see it coming. The theme here is very clear; nice, be kind, and take charge of your life. This message is not delivered in a preachy tone but in a funny way that the target audience can identify with.
This is a comic with an intricate plot, a relentless pace, and enough life lessons. From the stereotypes that continue to make life difficult for others to the power we all have to accept and be kind to ourselves, this book covers it all, and so much more.
Boxers
Boxers is the first book in the Boxers and Saints series by Gene Luen Yang. It’s a story about the Boxer Rebellion, an uprising that occurred between 1899 and 1901. The narrative is told through the eyes of Little Bao and Vibiana. While Bao is just a teenager, he is well aware of his environment and takes notes of the changes occurring all around him. The youngest of three brothers, Little Bao, is passionate about Chinese opera and the symbols and ritual passed down generations. Bao is fortunate to find a master who gives him specialized tutoring on everything Kung Fu. Vibiana, on the other hand, is an older woman who has embraced the new faith and paid dearly for the decision she made.
Little Bao is fed up, and after harnessing the ancient Chinese gods’ powers, he sets to recruit an army of Boxers. The military, trained in kung fu main aim, is to free china from foreign soldiers and missionaries who rob and bully the Chinese peasants. Even though he is still in his youth, little Bao sees the injustice and favoritism shown in the name of the new faith and he is determined to put a stop to all this. He is successful in recruiting and training adherents in villagers and forming The Society of the Harmonious Fists resistance movement.
The Army of boxers go to war, and against all the odds, they become successful. However, the victory does not come easy. There are so many who are dying, including the Chinese citizens who have already become Christians. The once innocent Little Bao engages in acts so brutal that he is no longer recognizable. The other boxers act just as bad, and the devastating effects of war are evident as everyone suffers. While it is clear that Bao and his army have a choice between peace and war, they continue to choose war, no matter how bloody it gets.
This comic shows the two sides of the people who suffered most during the anti-imperialistic uprising. In the end, the people hurt more than the powers they were defending or fighting against. The comic is historically accurate, and the fantasy bits make the story more palatable. The author’s storytelling skills are evident as he can tell a war story in a way that the target audience can identify with. This is simply a visual narrative of a historical event that happened in China, as told from different points of view. The author is successful in putting faces to a heart-wrenching part of history that led to the suffering of many.
If you are looking to gain a new perspective on the Boxer rebellion, the Boxers book is ideal. Even though this is just a comic, the intensity and depth of the story will shake you. Get a dose of the Chinese culture as you also learn a thing or two about an Uprising that comes with dire consequences. The comic also makes it clear the adage that states that there are no winners in war; everyone loses in one way or another.
Book Series In Order » Authors » Gene Luen Yang
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