Food and filmmaking mixed with philosophical musings on life and art drive the narrative flow in Rare Flavours, a delectable foray into the cuisine of India ensconced in all its sumptuous splendor and glory. Written by Ram V and illustrated by Filipe Andrade, the creative team behind The Many Deaths of Laila Starr, this graphic novel delves into the fine aesthetics of food while espousing upon larger than life observations, somewhat reminiscent of the leisurely style of Louis Malle’s My Dinner with Andre.
The story begins with Rubin Baksh, who upon discovering that Chef Anthony Bordain has died, embarks on an excursion of culinary proportions to share his love of food with the world. Along the way, he recruits a young college student named Mohan to accompany him in hopes of capturing the sights and tastes of his passion in a documentary. Little does Mohan realize that Rubin is actually a forest dwelling demon in disguise named Baksura, and that a pair of hunters are on the trail of this man-eating demon from the annals of Hindu mythology.
While the plot detracts from a standard structure of conflict, climax, and resolution, intricate details of Indian cuisine rise to the forefront. From the delicate aroma of masala chai and spicy richness of mirchi to the chunky succulence of raan and savory comfort of triple Schezwan rice, each chapter introduces a unique Indian fare, integrating recipes into the panels and illuminating side notes and stories with folkloric insight. Meandering from one locale to another, the fluid scenes meld red and orange simmering color tones, producing a mixture of sceneries cast in wide-angle shots spanning double-page spreads depicting vast desert landscapes and food and spice markets. This culinary travelogue resonates with a singular purpose in mind as summed up by Rubin: “To have shared my view of the world with one more person and to see them changed by it. To see them evolve.”
Although loosely constructed in terms of plotting, Rare Flavours excels in its unique exploration of the ingredients and dishes so commonly cherished in Indian cuisine, rendered through the narrative voice of an ancient demon who speaks with lyrical gentility. As such, this gastronomical meditation, enhanced by cinematic and mercurial shots replete with the sights and flavors of India from food carts to restaurants, will enrich adult graphic novel collections and serve up a savory, visual feast for the soul.
Rare Flavours By Ram V Art by Filipe Andrade BOOM! Studios, 2024 ISBN: 9781608861538
NFNT Age Recommendation: Adult (18+) Creator Representation: South Asian, Character Representation: South Asian, Hindu ,
Best friends Gabby, Mindy, and Priya are very different, but they have the same problem: all three girls love animals, and none of them are allowed to have pets. Determined to get quality cuddle time with some critters, they try out several schemes before creating a dog-walking business, which they name PAWS (an acronym—sort of—for Pretty Awesome WalkerS).
Several clients sign up immediately, and suddenly the girls have all the dogs they can handle—maybe even more than they can handle. Conflict bubbles up: Priya plays lots of sports, so the other two keep having to walk extra dogs when she has practices or games. Mindy can really use the dog-walking money, so she’s keen to take on more dogs even when the trio is already struggling. Gabby is the youngest, and sometimes feels that the other two don’t listen to her.
When the girls finally solve these issues, more trouble pops up: Mindy’s mom starts dating, which makes Mindy feel insecure and afraid of change just as the other two girls want to ask a new friend to join PAWS. Then Priya’s family moves across town, and her parents want her to switch schools. How will the girls of PAWS keep their business—and their friendship—going strong?
This fun series will inevitably draw comparisons to the Baby-Sitters Club, another series in which tween girls form a business together and deal with professional and personal issues. Both feature characters who are very different in personality and background but are close friends: Gabby comes from a secure, well-to-do family and is a little sheltered; Mindy is a stylish, chronically-online latchkey kid with a single mom; Priya is an athlete and the child of immigrants. Hazel, who joins PAWS in the second book, is new in town and uses a wheelchair. Each book focuses on the character whose name is in the title, with occasional sections following one of the others. Like the girls of the Baby-Sitters Club, these kids work through the practical details of how pre-teens might realistically organize and run a business.
PAWS is set in Vancouver, Canada, and feels very much of the present day. The girls use some current slang, especially when they squeal over animals, calling them “pupper,” “floof boi,” “lad,” “fren,” and “king,” and exclaiming “I would boop that nose so hard!” Phones and social media also feature frequently. All of this feels natural, and while the language may eventually seem a little quirky to future readers, the storylines and themes of friendship, accepting change, and taking care of yourself are timeless.
The art is a colorful, lightly cartoonified version of reality. The characters are expressive, sometimes becoming comically exaggerated to show extreme emotions. They are distinct and easy to tell apart, and each has an individual style, including plenty of different outfits. The animals have a lot of personality, too. While the focus is on the characters, the backgrounds are detailed enough to keep the settings—mostly parks, school, and the kids’ homes—clear and present. There are also a couple of illustrated recipes: Mindy narrates how to make gamja bokkeum, a Korean dish, and her mom’s boyfriend Mike explains how to make a kind of breakfast casserole.
There is no violence, no swearing (unless you count an embarrassed character mumbling “Oh God”), and no romantic content other than Mindy’s mom innocently hanging out with her new boyfriend. The stakes are emotional and logistical, not physical danger, except for one instance when Priya falls and hurts her leg.
These funny, relatable characters learn problem-solving and other life lessons through engaging stories. Definitely hand this series to fans of the Baby-Sitters Club, as well as to readers of other middle-grade realistic fiction, like the work of Raina Telgemeier and Shannon Hale.
PAWS By Nathan Fairbairn Art by Michele Assarasakorn Penguin Random House Razorbill, 2022 ISBN: 9780593351864
Volume
ISBN
2
9780593351932
3
9780593351963
Publisher Age Rating: 8-12
NFNT Age Recommendation: Middle Grade (7-11), Tween (10-13) Creator Representation: Canadian, Thai, , Character Representation: Black, Indian, Korean, Wheelchair User, Hindu ,
Complexity and simplicity seem at odds with each other, but David Jesus Vignolli seamlessly weaves together complex themes with simple, expressive art to create a charming and thoughtful story in his debut graphic novel, A Girl in the Himalayas.
The story opens with young Vijaya’s house in flames, and she flees her home alone, wandering into the snow of the Himalayas. When she collapses, Prasad, a supernatural being, sees her and decides to give up his immortality to preserve her life. Prasad takes her to the Sanctuary, a place he and another immortal, Vasu, have created as a shelter from humanity. Prasad and Vasu introduce Vijaya to the Elementals who travel to the Sanctuary to recover from the choking “Illusion” of humanity that threatens to kill them. While Vijaya is quick to befriend a group of Elementals, not all of them are pleased by her presence in the Sanctuary. After all, she is a human, and humans are the source of the Illusion. She must prove to herself and to the Sanctuary that not all humans are ruled by Illusion and that she can honor the values of the Earth and the Elementals.
The novel is in part reminiscent of the mythology of ancient religions. Vignolli incorporates the Indian concepts of maya (Illusion) and yoga to describe energies at war with each other, addressing the heights of humanity found in the innocence and curiosity of a child, versus the depths displayed by the greed and cruelty that some men reach. The story questions what it takes to change the minds of people (or creatures) who are entrenched in one viewpoint. The answer? Love. Hope. Sacrifice. Forgiveness. Curiosity.
Vignolli relies on black, white, and soft orange to color his novel. I found myself examining and appreciating the details of each panel more closely than I often do in a full-color spread. Vignolli depicts the greed, insecurity, and self-centeredness of humanity in a black roiling cloud, in contrast to the softer whites and creams of the Sanctuary. The Elementals are whimsical shapes born of Vignolli’s imagination, representing energies of the Earth that wish to heal the world and live harmoniously. The style of art aligns perfectly with the spirit of the story and its characters.
Lovers of Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away, KiKi’s Delivery Service) will enjoy this graphic novel and its mix of reality and whimsy. This graphic novel appeals to a spectrum of ages and backgrounds. Young readers are able to identify with Vijaya’s eagerness to explore and befriend the world around her, and older readers able to appreciate the more complex themes of sacrifice, hope, and the heights and depths of humanity. As a wonderful story with simple, expressive art and an underlying homage to mythology and ancient belief systems, this graphic novel is a strong addition to any collection.
A Girl in the Himalayas by David Jesus Vignolli ISBN: 9781684151295 Archaia / BOOM! Studios, 2018 Publisher Age Rating: 8-12
Food and filmmaking mixed with philosophical musings on life and art drive the narrative flow in Rare Flavours, a delectable foray into the cuisine of India ensconced in all its sumptuous splendor and glory. Written by Ram V and illustrated by Filipe Andrade, the creative team behind The Many Deaths of Laila Starr, this graphic novel delves into the fine aesthetics of food while espousing upon larger than life observations, somewhat reminiscent of the leisurely style of Louis Malle’s My Dinner with Andre.
of them are allowed to have pets. Determined to get quality cuddle time with some critters, they try out several schemes before creating a dog-walking business, which they name PAWS (an acronym—sort of—for Pretty Awesome WalkerS).
Complexity and simplicity seem at odds with each other, but David Jesus Vignolli seamlessly weaves together complex themes with simple, expressive art to create a charming and thoughtful story in his debut graphic novel, A Girl in the Himalayas.
