In Limbo by Deb JJ Lee has been the best nonfiction I’ve read this year so far. After finishing the advanced copy, I bought a physical copy for both my classroom and my best friend.

“I love you when you’re at your lowest just as much as at your best. Growing up is about being sad and angry sometimes.”

In Limbo follows Deb, a Korean-American girl, while on a coming-of-age journey through the lens of a graphic memoir. Deb is the child of immigrants, faces racism and othering, and struggles with the isolation of struggling with mental health. I felt connected to her in many ways concerning her mental health and was glad to see her come to terms with some of her struggles at the end of the memoir. Feeling “always forever in between” cultures, shaping and defining emotional and physical identity, and navigating sometimes toxic familial relationships are handled with care by Lee.

While In Limbo was both incredibly moving and important, the art is magnificent on its own. I appreciated the depth that was given to Deb’s experience through such evocative artwork. Lee’s illustrations were both intimate and illuminating and I can’t wait to read, and see, more of their work.

Thanks to Netgalley and First Second Books for the advanced copy.

*I have used her/she to refer to Deb as characterized in the memoir, not Lee the author (who uses they/them).

This is an incredible look into the author's experience in high school. The art is stunning and does so much to convey the emotions of the memoir without distracting from anything. Her struggles are things a lot of readers will be able to relate to while also being a window into her unique cultural experiences.

In this graphic memoir, the author shares about growing up and feeling like they don't belong. Not in the USA, where they spent most of her life but where they don't look like the rest of their classmates, nor in Korea, where they were born but left very early and don't remember the language. In Limbo tells us about their experience dealing with those feelings, depression and with the sometimes abusive relationship with their mother. It all sounds very dramatic summed up like that, but it is also a coming of age story and how one can learn to find themselves despite struggling with all those emotions.

It is a very touching book overall and the art style is also really beautiful. I was maybe expecting a bit more because of the blurb comparing it to [book:The Best We Could Do|29936927] and [book:The Magic Fish|42394599], both of which I absolutely adored. But don't get me wrong, I really liked this book and I strongly recommend it if you like graphic memoirs and coming of age stories.

I read an eARC of In Limbo by Deb JJ Lee. Thank you, NetGalley and First Second Books.

This was a powerful graphic memoir about a Korean-American girl’s coming-of-age story. From her insecurity about her eyes, to how her teachers can’t correctly pronounce her Korean name so she goes by Deb. High school is difficult as friendships change and end. Interests that she’s built dreams around wane to make place for new ones. Her relationship with her mother becomes turbulent, and while her father tries to support her, he stands to the side as she gets hit and derided for her inability to keep up with her studies and her changing interests as her no longer wanting to pursue a study of violin made her learning it a “waste of money”.

The story was gripping, and heartbreaking. There are points in the story that I got so angry and had to remind myself that this wasn’t my story and that this was their lived experience.

The art was beautiful and the story will grip you. I love all these graphic novels coming out telling people’s memoir’s amazing and this one is definitely one worth picking up and reading.

☽𝔹𝕆𝕆𝕂 ℝ𝔼𝕍𝕀𝔼𝕎☾

💐Thank you #NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to have access to this ARC💐

This is a sorrowful and bittersweet story, made all the more startling because it is a memoir.

I'll start by saying that I expected a full-colour graphic novel, but it ended up being a whole novel in blue tones, which I ended up delighting in since it made the narrative more melancholic. I liked the drawing style, though I did get some of Deb's friends mixed up (despite the fact that they don't really look alike).

I would strongly encourage readers to go through the trigger warnings, as there are several discussions about bullying and suicide. There are insecurities, both mental and physical, loneliness, and a sense that you are not making those around you pleased enough because you do not adhere to certain ideas or standards. Overall, the layout conveys the sorrowful feeling of the narrative.

To be honest, I expected some sort of finality on certain subjects, but as someone who has experienced (both in past and present tense) anxiety and depression, there is no 'finality'. You grow and improve with help, and I appreciated that the author mentioned this because I still think that some people have negative attitudes towards therapy or any type of professional help.

Overall, a bittersweet coming-of-age memoir turned graphic novel in which readers can gain an improved awareness of the experience of a Korean-American attempting to come to terms with her identity, loneliness, prejudices, anxieties and so on.

“It is okay only when you let it be okay.”

🌊
Stunning graphic memoir. It had me weeping by the end, just from having felt present through this fraught, vulnerable period in someone’s life. No doubt this will mean so much to anyone who has been in similar places.

IN LIMBO is set during writer & illustrator Deb JJ Lee’s time in high school in New Jersey. Uprooting their lives to move from South Korea to America when the narrator was very young was a massive change for the family, and it took its toll. Arriving to such a new place and being met with the understanding that you are not accepted and do not belong chips away at a person. It manifested in unhealthy ways, affecting Deb’s relationships, studies, and mental health.

As a reader, the weight of what they carried was palpable, even if it is nowhere near as oppressive as it would have been to live through. It made my heart ache to read about their relationship with their mother especially, a place where love exists somewhere along a fortress of thorns. By the same token, the moments of joy and freedom they then experienced offered such buoyant, welcome lightness. What made this stand out to me was the honesty with which it was written. Not so much in a self-flagellating or voyeuristic way but with the compassion that comes with enough healing and distance that the wounds don’t sting so much to look at. This bit from the note at the end summed it up well:
▫️”The story, which began as a weekend project a four-page comic on Twitter about transgenerational language barriers-evolved into a much-needed, over five-year therapy session that I can carry in my hands.”

Loved the illustrations too, which carried the narrative as much as the text did. Especially loved the moments captured between people, the line work meticulous and expressive. A wealth of emotion caught between a hand reaching for another’s in the night. The e-copy I read utilised a more muted colour palette, which felt in keeping with the story arc, and the knowledge that these events have already happened. That full colour cover illustration is everything, saying so much about what is to come - head above water, neither sinking nor surfacing, but Alive. Art is a lifeline, and there is so much power in knowing that we are the creators of our own lives.

Thank you @01firstsecond @netgalley for the reading copy!

Thanks to Netgalley and First Second Books for the advanced copy
I really enjoyed read memoirs especially if it is in graphic format, this is a good one about growing up, mental health, relationships with family and friends, in some points I feel related, the story feels honest and I like that
My only observation regarding the story is that it was difficult for me to get into it but once we get past the first half it is easier to read
The art is GORGEOUS!! It's one of my favorite art style has ever seen in a graphic novel

This book was a little confusing but It was hard to read about her mom shaming her but I am glad that eventually she was able to get out of that negative situation and pursue the dreams she wanted to do. It was very heartwarming to see that no matter how negative the feedback you are getting from others there is always a light at the end of the tunnel.

"In Limbo" by Deb JJ Lee was a beautiful and intimate portrait of the author's high school years. I was inexplicably drawn to this book by the enchanting cover, of which the swirls of color in the water, the red of the sun, and the island that the girl's face makes up.

Deb Lee's artwork is brilliant and is able to convey so much emotion in each panel and facial feature. The narration and conversation that accompanies the illustrations make it easy to feel as if I were watching a movie instead of reading a graphic novel.

"In Limbo" is at many times heartbreaking, filled with grief and hopelessness, with themes covering the for identity amongst microaggressions and racism, the loss of friendship, the disconnect between family members. There's also love and laughter, and where there's hopelessness, hopefulness comes abound as well.

Deb JJ Lee's graphic novel memoir is a must read.

Disclaimer, I've been following Deb JJ Lee on social media for years, I'm a huge fan of their art and was elated to get the chance to read In Limbo, their memoir and graphic novel debut.
The art is absolutely beautiful, as expected. Even though I usually prefer graphic novels in full color, Deb worked incredibly well with the monochrome color palette (although it is a shame cause their color work is fantastic). The presentation of the story and the overall writing were very successful imo - I could relate to a lot of Deb's mental health struggles and their complicated family relationships, even though our backgrounds are extremely different. The portrayal of their personal relationship, be it with friends or family, felt very honest. Deb did not shy away from taking responsibility and acknowledging their own missteps, which to me became very apparent in her treatment of Kate. Deb manages to navigate the subtler pitfalls of communication, mental health and the self-centeredness that sometimes inadvertently comes with it in their presentation of relationships and characters, which I think is a great feat.

In Limbo is a beautifully illustrated, intimate memoir. It is well-written, manages to depict its characters in all shades of gray rather than stark black and white, and intricately deals with heavy themes. Deb make it easy to empathize with them and I highly recommend reading In Limbo! (And following them on social media since they are an incredible artist.)

- ARC provided by NetGalley -

I typically do not rate memoirs and if so I always give them five stars no matter what. With that being said, I thought In Limbo was a beautifully illustrated vulnerable coming-of-age memoir for Deb JJ Lee. Coming from a similar cultural background, I resonated quite deeply to some of the themes/scenes in this book. The academic pressure, racism, mental health representation, family/friendship, self-doubt and the thief of joy - comparison. There were many moments I just wanted to give Deb a comforting hug and hug myself because I was once in her shoes .I wish were able to see a bit more of Deb in her college years, but overall a highly recommend. I will definitely be picking up more of the author's works!

Thank you to First Second Books and NetGalley for providing an e-arc copy in return for an honest review. In Limbo: A Graphic Memoir is already out!

Thank you First Second Books and NetGalley for providing me an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

In Limbo by Deb JJ Lee is a beautiful, emotional, coming of age graphic novel that offers a visual insight into some of the struggles experienced by a teenage girls- more specifically- the struggles of a Korean-American girl trying to find her place in society.

A relatable and recommended read for sure 💗

Emotional and beautifully illustrated, 'In Limbo' by Deb JJ Lee, is a coming of age story (memoir) of a Korean immigrant teenage girl named Jung-Jin, who just wants to be called Deborah. I was immediately drawn in by the mix of realistic and cartoon style images. Reading this graphic novel on my phone made it easy to zoom in on the drawings to see the impressive artwork.

The novel follows Deborah having difficulty finding friends and struggling with low self-esteem due to years of bullying from her peers. Trying to do well academically, as well as being the best in her orchestra class, seems an impossibility as she starts her high school career. Throughout the graphic novel, we follow Deborah's battle with depression, her missteps, and her growth.

I was able to connect with this young woman on many levels. I believe most teenage girls who were more introverted in high school will see a little of themselves in Deborah.



TW: Suicide Attempt

4.5 // Thank you very much First Second Books for sending over an arc!

Initial Parting Thoughts - OWW

This graphic novel was frankly unassuming in its cover and description in just how impactful it could measure up to be but wow did it show up.

Several subjects are covered in under 300 pages - micro agressions, first generation experiences, depression, strained familial bonds, identity - and yet I never once felt that in packing them all in any one of these aspects was rushed. In fact, I felt that the inclusion of such a wide variety of struggles brought about a proper sense of realism and humanity to the narrative.

Lastly, the STUNNING art cannot go unmentioned. This was a joy to ogle my eyes at for an hour straight.

To quickly sum - read it :)

Thank you to netgalley for this arc!

What a beautiful, gut punch of a book. It really reminded me of my experience in highschool, dealing with this feeling of otherness, especially when you find a friendship that you really settle into and rely on really heavily. My heart broke for her over and over again, and my younger self. Beautiful debut, beautiful work. <3

3.5 stars

This was a well done graphic novel and the art was quite good. The story was sad as its quite literally Lee's story growing up with what I assume is a bipolar mother and the overall racism in the world.

This did deal with things I'm not used to seeing in modern media like the discussion of some Asians wanting eyelid surgery to get the "double lid" look. Also the subtle and not so subtle Asian racism. It's good to see these things discussed.

But what really lowered the score for this is that at the end of the day a story is being told and I feel like this one looses the plot near the end. I know it's someone's life, but it just kind of ends. I feel like the pacing could have been a lot better.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for letting me read this for an honest review.

In Limbo is a heartbreaking and emotional memoir. With stunning illustrations, especially the shading and some beautiful effects, In Limbo is a story about the pressure of performance. The expectations of those around us, influencing and shaping us. Used to playing piano, Deb has to figure out what it would be like for her if she didn't let her life revolve around music. The beginnings of changing what we think and care about as a teen Yet at the same time, how so much of identity is tied to "what we do" and how when we change that, we can lose a community. Watching Deb try to find what she's passionate about, is a striking emotional chord.

Watching Deb try to find what she's passionate about, is a striking emotional chord. How much of who we are tied to what we can do, how we perform, and not who we are. But even more so, Deb is struggling with her disorderd eating. Throughout In Limbo Deb has to examine her own relationship with food, her mother, and her own sense of self. As an Asian reader, there were some moments that absolutely had my heart in my throat.

This was a DEEPLY personal debut graphic novel that goes into great depth on the struggles the author had growing up as a Korean born American and never quite fitting into either identity. There's also amazing mental health rep, suicide attempts, therapy and toxic/abusive parental relationships. The drawings too are some of the best I've seen in a graphic novel and I can't recommend this book enough! Perfect for fans of Almost American girl by Robin Ha. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

This story was heartbreakingly powerful. It took me a little while to get into it as the storytelling was a bit unusual for me, but once I was immersed I didn't resurface until I finished it. I think this is such an important story, and it makes me happy that the author chose to tell it. I can heartily recommend this book!

This was a fantastic graphic novel memoir. There were some hard parts to read, mostly regarding the relationship that she has with her mom, but I think that is an important book that everyone should read. Also, I loved the artwork and the colors. It was so nicely done!