Age 16 is about the relationship between mother and daughters. Rosena Fung’s latest book is also about not depriving yourself of what you love and what you need to survive and thrive. Suggested for readers aged twelve and up, Age 16 paints a complex story about three generations of Chinese Women and the way they slowly find themselves back to each other after years of fumbling and rejecting each other.

The author crafted a nuanced story about Chinese Women and the violence they faced whether that be microaggressions in a store in Toronto, cat calling by American soldiers or men feeling that they were entitled to a young woman’s body and status in Hong Kong. One caveat of criticism of Age 16 is that I would have loved longer chapters from Lydia and Mei Laan, especially Mei Laan. As they serve as connective tissue to Roz’s chapters, I felt if they were a bit longer with a bit more context, these two, along with readers would have more closure.

What Rosena Fung really nails in Age 16 is that intergenerational trauma travels from mother to daughter. I think of Roz’s mother making remarks on what the teen is eating and making the girl feel embarrassed or frustrated. While her own mother comes to visit, Lydia sees a snack that she likes but is discouraged to buy because of the cutting remarks from her own mother that it is fattening. There is a narrative thread about body shaming, the very real life consequences of it on one’s self esteem and life–and also on negative body image and how the love of a mother often feels unattainable.

In the author’s note, Rosena Fung writes that this book is the one she always wanted to write, even when she did not know. To quote her: “This work is a book of fiction, but it is also a generational memoir.” She notes that the journey of this book was taking place even before she was born, the story being carried by the women before her.

I love the framing of this book journey by the author as it fills me with such joy to know that she was able to make this book, this love letter to her own mother and por por. Age 16 best embodies the need for tenderness for the women in our lives–especially when the world has been so cruel to them–mothers and daughters must strive to be the greatest example of love and care for each other in this world. I love that Age 16 focuses on the girlhood and womanhood of not one but three Chinese women — an incredible gift in the graphic novel category for those seeking memoirs by women creatives and women creatives of the Asian Diaspora.

https://carriemcclain.medium.com/review-age-16-is-a-layered-necessary-read-about-girlhood-bd211fbfad32

context/trigger warnings:
anorexia
binge eating
body image issues
body shaming
calorie counting
disordered eating
domestic abuse
emotional abuse
fat shaming
fatphobia
generational trauma
physical abuse
racism
sexism
starvation
teen pregnancy
weighing
weight loss

I've read two sequential art books about 3 generations of women moving from China, to Hong Kong, to North America published this year (so far!). One was the excellent Feeding Ghosts, a complex non-fiction memoir covering deep familial and national trauma. This novel, Age 16, is more fictionalized and tightly plotted, and while it covers its fair share of trauma it also has a strong throughline of complex intergenerational problems with body image that makes it really readable for teens and young adults, around the same age as the title.

"Age 16" by Rosena Fung is a stunning and poignant coming-of-age graphic novel that masterfully explores the complexities of family dynamics, generational trauma, and self-acceptance. This beautifully illustrated story spans three generations of women—grandmother Mei Laan in 1954 Guangdong, mother Lydia in 1972 Hong Kong, and daughter Roz in 2000 Toronto—each grappling with their own challenges and societal pressures at the pivotal age of sixteen.

The narrative is powerful and deeply resonant, highlighting the intergenerational impact of cultural and familial expectations. Roz's struggles with body image and fitting in, Lydia's rebellion against her mother's strict upbringing, and Mei Laan's hardships in post-Japanese occupied China are all interwoven to create a rich, multifaceted story. The alternating perspectives provide a nuanced view of how each woman's experiences shape the next generation, emphasizing the cyclical nature of trauma and the hope for breaking those cycles.

Fung's artwork is exceptional, using a distinct color palette for each timeline—purple for Roz, orange for Lydia, and green for Mei Laan. This not only helps differentiate the timelines but also adds depth to the emotional tone of each era. The illustrations are expressive and vivid, capturing the raw emotions and inner turmoil of the characters with great sensitivity.

The themes of body image, fatphobia, and self-worth are handled with care and authenticity. Roz's journey towards self-acceptance is both heart-wrenching and inspiring, as she navigates her relationship with her critical mother and estranged grandmother. The story poignantly depicts how societal standards and family expectations can deeply affect one's self-esteem and mental health.

"Age 16" is a moving exploration of the generational bonds that shape us and the strength it takes to forge our own paths. It's a story about understanding, forgiveness, and the courage to be true to oneself. This graphic novel is not only a visual delight but also an emotional powerhouse that will resonate with readers of all ages.

Rosena Fung has crafted a timeless tale that is as much about the past as it is about the present, making "Age 16" a must-read for anyone who appreciates stories of resilience and the enduring power of family. Thank you to NetGalley and Annick Press for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5. I'm a sucker for graphic memoir (or memoir-adjacent) works with intergenerational trauma, so this worked really well for me! I enjoyed the different perspectives of Roz (2000s Toronto), her mother (1970s Hong Kong), and her grandmother (1950s China) at age 16 and all the sexism, fatphobia, and toxic parenting they dealt with. I wish we had gotten more closure from the stories, but I still appreciated the ending.

"𝘈 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘔𝘢𝘺𝘣𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶'𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶'𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦."

I've never felt so seen by a book. As a Chinese-Canadian girl living in Toronto whose family emigrated from China & Hong Kong, it felt as if @rosenafung was writing about my life in her latest graphic novel - there were so many parallels in the details as I kept reading, it creeped me out a bit (in the best way possible). It truly has been one of the most impactful reads of the year for me.

"Age 16" follows the lives of Roz in Toronto, her mother Lydia in Hong Kong, and her grandmother Mei Laan in Guangdong—all from the time they were sixteen, all facing their own unique challenges.

Fung skillfully weaves in themes of intergenerational trauma, self-worth, cultural heritage and more while capturing the universal struggles of the teenage years in a fun yet emotionally raw way.

My favourite detail in the book was Fung's use of colour to illustrate & represent each of the three characters' stories/timelines, with important objects brought from each generation into the next retaining their original colour (you'll have to read it to fully understand what I mean by this).

And of course, who doesn't love a good Easter Egg? Torontonians may recognize several iconic landmarks & local sites ("Fairlook" Mall, I see you 😜).

Much like with the critically-acclaimed Pixar film "Turning Red", I felt like this book was written for me—for all the 1st generation Chinese-Canadian (& Toronto) girls navigating different cultural identities; for all of us who have gone through - or are going through - the turbulence of teenagehood; and above all, for everyone who needs a little reminder that they are beautiful & perfect the way they are, and exactly who they're supposed to be ♡

Being 16 is difficult in any time. Roz is a contemporary teen dealing with high school, relationships, and her weight. As any teenager, she thinks her mother does not understand her and chafes against her comments. But then we get a glimpse of her mother's teenage years, and see how she dealt with similar issues, but also, a very distant, angry mother, which lead to an estrangement. And then we go back one more time to see her grandmohter as a teen. Being 16 shows over generations how if trauma is not addressed, we unconciously pass it along to the next in line.

Fung's story reminds readers that 16 isn't always sweet. Set in three areas of the world in three different decades, Age 16 tells the stories of a grandmother, a mother, and a daughter at age 16: In 1954, Mei Laan dreams of getting out of Guangdong, China. An arranged marriage may be her ticket to Hong Kong, and a better life. In 1972, 16-year-old Lydia wants desperately to dance and enjoy her life. Her critical mother never looks on the bright side of anything, and it's hard not to be brought down by her harsh criticisms, particularly about her weight. Maybe if she heads to Toronto, things will be better? In 2000, 16-year-old Roz lives in Toronto, struggles with her weight and self-image. When her mother lets her know that her grandmother is coming to visit, Roz is taken aback - her mom and grandmother aren't that close. When Mei Laan arrives, dour and full of criticism, everyone feels off-center. Through flashbacks, readers understand each woman's struggles; through conversations and interactions, the characters ultimately peel away the layers of emotion and trauma. Age 16 brings home how some issues facing women never seem to change, while new challenges constantly emerge: physical beauty and value is a major theme running through the book, with Mei Laan constantly commenting Lydia's, and later, Roz's weight; Mei Laan's own value to her family is through her marriageability. Both Mei Laan and Lydia are single mothers; Mei Laan uses this as another point of judgement against Lydia. Roz stresses about her body image, where Lydia embraces a more free, accepting attitude; most likely as protection and pushback against her mother. Rosena Fung skillfully blends three individuals across three generations to tell a powerful story about women and generational trauma. She tells each character's story in a different color, allowing for a smooth change in narrative that won't disrupt the reader. Mei Laan's story is told with a green-blue wash; Lydia's, in an orange wash, and Roz, in a purple wash. The illustration work is bold and filled with pop cultural details that will enhance reading. Back matter includes historical notes and resources for further reading. Age 16 is indispensible reading and belongs on every library's bookshelf.

One liner : Impactful read

Synopsis: Year 2000, Toronto. Teenager Roz is wondering what she wants to be and how she wants to be. Will losing weight make her standout and be happy? She certainly seems to think so and the school prom looming over her head is making things worse. Her mother's constant reminders of eating less and losing weight is also taking a toll on her. Her estranged super critical grandmother visits them unexpectedly. How is all this going to play out in Roz's life?

My thoughts
Beautiful book which comes to the reader in 3 different timelines. Year 1954 in Guangdong, story of the grandmother Mei Laan, year 1972, Honk Kong story of Roz's mother Lydia and Year 2000 Roz's story. The best part is each of the timelines in this graphic novel comes in different shades. This makes is easier to follow the timelines without getting mixed up.

The pressure on teenage girls (especially) to fit into a mold of being thin vs being curvy is shown through the generations. How your parenting is influenced to an extent of what you have undergone in your childhood is shown very well in Lydia's parenting of Roz. Its still much muted as compared to what she underwent but it does have its effects.

The comparison of the lives of all the 3 generations at the same age especially teenage has come out very well showing the similar kind of societal pressures on girls has been coming along for a long time.

The story ends on a really positive note versus making everything rosy which worked really well for the story. I felt that in some places the graphics overcrowded the page. Not sure if it was because it was ARC and not the published copy. I also felt like more background could have been given for the way Mei Laan behaved with her daughter or hid things from her. It felt little incomplete.
All in all it was a good read. My rating 4*

Many thanks to Annick Press and NetGalley for this ARC. This is my honest opinion about the book

This was an emotional, heartbreaking story about generational trauma, body-shaming, and the complicated relationship between mothers and daughters. I enjoyed the read, but both Roz's mother and grandmother are really hard to like even while learning about their backgrounds. I enjoyed Roz's chapters much more and wish there would have been more development of her current and new friendships.

This was also quite similar to another book I just read, Hungry Ghost by Victoria Ying, and I found myself thinking back to it and comparing the two books as I read. I knot that's not really fair to this story, but as a reader that happens sometimes.

I think this book is going to be one of my all time favorite graphic novels. The story really took a look at generational trauma, and how it affects not only us, but our children and their children. Rosena Fung, explores these topics in a meaningful way that hit very close to home for me as we followed Roz, her mother Lydia, and grandmother Mei Laan through their own struggles and while their struggles are different they are more related than what they all initially think. The ending is satisfying and while, not everything is immediately fixed you can tell that by the end their relationship is heading in a better direction, and that hopefully the future will look brighter for them all.
The writing, and art for this graphic novel are gorgeous and suit the story perfectly. There were some scenes that as a plus size woman who has been plus size her entire life that made me want to cry for both Roz and her mother, and the way the art depicted it was beautiful.
This is definitely a must read, and I will definitely be looking at getting a copy for myself, as well as the library I work at. Because this story, is beautifully powerful.

This book was great! I give it a 4.5/5. You follow three different women with different realities but similar problems. It was great to see the generational trauma and how each character tried to get over it. We encounter many issues such as divorce, weight issues as well as dealing with our sexuality. The reality described in the 2000s was very relatable without seeming too packed with current issues to deal with. I loved it and related to the book despite not being an immigrant, which is why this book was so great.

Age 16 follows 3 generations of mothers and daughters and what they are going through at a young age-societal beauty standards, expectations, and self-worth.

The main storyline features Roz, who is gearing up for her first prom. She's bigger than all of her friends and tries desperately to lose weight, with no help from her mother's constant passive swipes about her weight. Then we go back in time to when Roz's mother was her age, also dealing with societal beauty standards and a mother who says hurtful things about her weight and self. Take it back another generation with Roz's grandma just wanting to have a nice life, but having to escape the life she was granted.

I cried. I boo-hooed. Roz is a very relatable character-she wants to be accepted by her friends, her mom, and society, but between her weight and her interests, she is struggling to feel like she fits in with anyone, and struggling to feel like what she likes is valuable. To see how generational trauma gets passed down without the people even meaning for it to happen hurts to see as well. This graphic novel does this kind of story justice. Each generation has a color theme as well, and when that was broken (no spoilers, haha) it was beautiful.

This is a beautiful, emotional book, and one I wish would have been around when I was younger.

Thank you to Netgalley and Annick Press for the e-ARC!

Heart wrenching graphic book but also has some hope in people changing. This book covers three generations and the sexist ableist messages they received. I cringed in moments with what the grandma and mom said to the MC but also found it so realistic. Loved the beautiful message of the book… that we can make the world fit to us if we don’t fit in.

In a Nutshell: An impactful OwnVoices graphic novel highlighting toxic parenting and intergenerational trauma, through the narratives of a granddaughter, a mother, and a daughter. Loved the triple timeline approach, each with its own powerful point to make. But some more elaboration could have elevated this story even further.

Plot Preview:
2000. Toronto. Roz is a typical teen, nerding out on alien fiction, evaluating her college options, and looking forward to the prom. But as she is plus-sized, her body weight is her constant worry, exacerbated by her mother’s demands that she eat less. When her estranged grandmother arrives unexpectedly, the relationship between the trio is further weakened.
The plotline is mainly focussed on Roz, but there are two other timelines – 1972 Hong Kong and 1954 Guangdong – detailing her mother’s and her grandmother’s backstories respectively.

Bookish Yays:
🌹 The introductory note by the author gives the right start to the story. She makes it clear that this is a fictional work as well as a generational memoir.
🌹 The triple timeline, each focussed on a sixteen-year-old (hence, the title: ‘Age 16’) in a different location, lifestyle, and era, but struggling against similar expectations: parental, societal, and cultural.
🌹 The themes, especially the pressure on girls to fit into a certain body size and shape, how bullying can occur even at home, and how parents don’t realise how they are passing on to their children the same stress they had undergone in their youth.
🌹 The mother-daughter relationships in this book are tricky to appreciate, but the story shows how leaving too much unsaid never works in the long run. Communication is key.
🌹 Love how Roz and Lydia are shown to be so much more than their weight. While their weight is a prime cause of tension in their respective timelines, the story lets us see them as a person than as a fat person, which is so very important.
🌹 I also love how all three of the main characters have inner voices talking to them, questioning their every move and casting doubt in their hearts. It highlights how deeply we can be affected by naysayers, not just the external ones but also the ones in our head.
🌹 The illustrations follow a triple colour scheme, each in a secondary colour palette: monochrome purple for Rosalind in Toronto, monochrome orange for Lydia (the mother) in Hong Kong, and monochrome green for Mei Laan (the grandmother) in China. The hues suit the youthful tone and the chaos of teen age, and also serve as a reliably easy indicator of the active timeline. Towards the end, the 2000 timeline starts using green and orange, showing the developing harmony among the trio.
🌹 I liked the ending. It was not perfectly sealed, nor an unrealistically happy one, but an aptly hopeful finish.

Bookish Nays:
🌵 What could have been a perfect experience is somewhat marred by the unanswered questions, especially in Lydia’s and Mei Laan’s stories. Granted, Roz is the key character as the past affects her present the most. But without knowing the extended details in the two historical timelines, the decisions of Lydia and Mei Laan feel vague. Mei Laan’s arc is the weakest of the trio. I wish her reasons for not sharing the secrets of her traumatic past with her daughter had come out more clearly. Moreover, as I could see the struggles of all three characters, I faced mixed feelings when one timeline made me sympathise with a character but another timeline generated frustration towards that very person.

All in all, this graphic novel has a meaningful plot and an impactful theme, but it could have been an even more memorable experience had it developed the historical backstories in more detail. Nevertheless, it is a great option for young adults who will hopefully learn to accept themselves as they are and communicate with their parents or guardians instead of silently wishing for the best while living the worst.
Definitely recommended to YA readers looking for a good coming-of-age and self-acceptance story in graphic format.

4.25 stars.

My thanks to Annick Press and NetGalley for the DRC of “Age 16”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

Content warnings: Fatphobia, fat shaming, eating disorders, toxic parenting.

This ripped my heart out of my chest, scrunched it up, and stitch it back together.

I love the art of it, and it is such a nice detail to have the three different eras have a different color. The style of everything, the details, just chef kiss!

Now the story really touched my heart. The struggle of Roz with her weight is a journey I have been myself on, and it is so hard and such a roller coaster. Her shopping for her prom dress and being stressed out about a date reminded me on my prom time, but I was lucky to have such supportive friends that didn't add to the pleasure and no comparison. Still, it is such a hard time as a teen. Lydia also struggled with her weight a lot, but she had her aunt Ping help her love herself, saying "You can't always find something that will fit off the rack, Lydia. But if you find you don't fit in, you can always make things fit just for you." (pg 177). Such an easy fix you can't think of when everything is so overwhelming. And I am going to keep repeating it on my head all the time now.

Both mothers were really trying to be good mothers in the way they knew how to be. Mei Laan was not supportive of her daughter going away and pushed for Lydia to find a good husband, but she protected her daughter from her abusive father and trying to push her to have a better life than she did, in the way she thought Lydia would accomplish it. Mei's own mother did what she thought was best. There was this one scene, where Mei's mother slaps her, and later on cries at night from a nightmare where they are trying to take Mei from her and offers herself instead. Lydia tries to be supportive of her daughter, and doesn't realize how the weight comments can affect Roz the way they affected her.

The cycle between trying to be a good mother and failing at times is so hard. Because mothers try to do their best for their daughters with the tools they have while trying to not repeat what their mothers did to them. Lydia manages to do this towards the end, respecting her daughters wishes and being kind and compassionate.

There was an author's note at the beginning of the book, which touched me deeply. But this part specifically explains how complex mother and daughter relationships can be.

"mothers can be especially critical of their daughters' bodies. They hold the ways the world has been cruel to them as girls and women and pass it on. I recognize now that my mom wanted to protect me from our society's hatred of fatness, but in doing so ended up repeating it. It's taken a lifetime for me to figure out that I can accept her love but reject this inheritance."

The ending of the book I feel is very realistic and not Disney like. There is no waterworks and tears, forgiveness like nothing ever happened. Instead, there is an acknowledgement of the hurt and pain, and a nudge towards doing better in a way. Because yes in an ideal world we get the Disney ending, but this I felt was so perfect, especially with all the personalities of the characters. It truly felt like a warm hug.

This is ultimately such a beautiful work, and I will more than likely buy myself a physical copy of it when it comes out.

Thank you Annick Press and NetGalley for an advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review. This was an enjoyable intergenerational, multiple POV coming of age graphic novel. I loved the use of different color schemes for each POV, and the weaving of similar themes that are passed down through generations yet with their own stories as well. This would be a great book club read that would spark great discussions about family, gender, and body image. A very unique and powerful story.

*Thank you NetGalley and Annick Press for sending me this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.*

Wow, wow, wow. What a terrific graphic novel. I loved that this followed three generations of women (grandmother, mother, granddaughter) at the same age. You can clearly see how their personal trauma shaped their relationships and love for each other.

Couldn’t recommend enough.

Rosena Fung's graphic novel is an emotional and beautifully illustrated story that dives deep into the complexities of family and the pressures around body image, beauty, and worth. Through the lives of three generations of women, Fung explores how these issues are passed down and rebelled against. The arrival of an estranged grandmother disrupts the family dynamics, bringing long-hidden secrets to the surface. This touching narrative, drawn from Fung's own family history, is both moving and essential, highlighting the enduring impact of generational legacies.

I really loved the illustrations and the color scheme for this graphic novel. It was clever of the author to have each generation be told from a different color. It easily allows the reader to know which character they are following. The color the author chose also matches the personality of that character. It was intriguing to see three different generations be told and how each generation shaped the life of their daughter. This is a coming of age story that a lot of teens can relate to due to the themes of beauty and body image issues. I felt so bad for Mariko and all of the pressure she was putting on herself. It has a good mix of humor and emotional moments. I'd highly recommend it.

Thank you to Netgalley for my gifted copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.