Stone Fruit
 First edition cover | |
| Author | Lee Lai |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Fantagraphics |
| Publication date | May 11, 2021 |
| ISBN | 978-1-683-96426-1 |
Stone Fruit is a graphic novel by Lee Lai, published on May 11, 2021 by Fantagraphics. In 2022, the book won the Lambda Literary Award for Graphic Novel/Comics. It was a Barbara Gittings Literature Award honor book, and a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Graphic Novel/Comics.
Reception
[edit]Stone Fruit was generally well-received, including starred reviews from Booklist[1] and Publishers Weekly.[2]
Publishers Weekly applauded how Lai "skillfully captures the ways family dynamics and histories play out in romantic relationships, and how heavy those legacies can land," which results in "a poignant and mature rumination on how people change, and change each other, proving Lai a talent well worth watching."[2] Terry Hong, writing for Booklist, called the novel a "jaw-dropping debut" with "stunning artistry," complementing by Lai's "complex narrative skills."[1] Laura Olive Sackton, writing for the Chicago Review of Books, also applauded the novel, calling it "[a] remarkable contribution to this chorus of queer storytelling," saying the narrative is filled with "smart dialogue and character growth" and that through the illustration, Lai "literally draws transformation, and the feelings it evokes, onto the page."[3]
The Guardian's Rachel Cooke provided a mixed review, calling Stone Fruit "[a] downbeat but moving exploration of the aftermath of a relationship."[4] Cooke noted that while the book is affective, "you finish it with no hope at all that its characters will ever be able to resolve their difficulties. There is something intensely bleak at its centre."[4]
Awards and honors
[edit]| Year | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | American Library Association's Best Graphic Novels for Adults | Top 10 | [5] |
| Ignatz Award for Outstanding Artist | Winner | [6] | |
| Ignatz Award for Outstanding Graphic Novel | Winner | ||
| National Book Foundation's 5 Under 35 Award | Honoree | [7] | |
| 2022 | Barbara Gittings Literature Award | Honor | [8] |
| Lambda Literary Award for Graphic Novel/Comics | Winner | [9] | |
| Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Graphic Novel/Comics | Finalist | [10][11] | |
| American Library Association's Over the Rainbow Book List | Top 10 | [12] | |
| Stella Prize | Shortlist | [13] |
References
[edit]- 1 2 Hong, Terry (May 15, 2021). Stone Fruit. Retrieved March 17, 2022 – via Booklist.
- 1 2 "Comics Book Review: Stone Fruit by Lee Lai. Fantagraphics, $24.99 (236p) ISBN 978-1-68396-426-1". PublishersWeekly.com. May 11, 2021. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
- ↑ Sackton, Laura Olive (May 27, 2021). "The Sacredness of Queer Aunthood in "Stone Fruit"". Chicago Review of Books. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
- 1 2 Cooke, Rachel (May 25, 2021). "Stone Fruit by Lee Lai review – breaking up is hard to do". the Guardian. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
- ↑ "2021 Best Graphic Novels for Adults Reading List". American Library Association. January 23, 2022. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
- ↑ Chiu-Tabet, Christopher (September 19, 2021). "2021 Ignatz Awards Winners Announced". Archived from the original on September 20, 2021.
- ↑ "Lee Lai". National Book Foundation. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
- ↑ Chapman, Monica (February 1, 2022). "2022 Barbara Gittings Literature Award and Israel Fishman Non-Fiction Award of the Stonewall Book Awards announced". American Library Association. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
- ↑ Segal, Corinne (June 13, 2022). "Congratulations to the winners of the 2022 Lambda Literary Awards!". Literary Hub. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
- ↑ "L.A Times Book Prizes 2022". Festival of Books. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
- ↑ "L.A Times Book Prizes 2022". Festival of Books. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
- ↑ Chapman, Monica (February 15, 2022). "Over the Rainbow Committee announces 2022 Top 10 Book List". American Library Association. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
- ↑ "Announcing the 2022 Stella Prize Shortlist". Stella. April 14, 2022. Retrieved June 6, 2022.