Stone Fruit is a graphic novel by Lee Lai, published May 11, 2021 by Fantagraphics.
In 2022, the book won the Lambda Literary Award for Graphic Novel/Comics,[1] was a Barbara Gittings Literature Award honor book,[2] and a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Graphic Novel/Comics.[3]
Reception
editStone Fruit was generally well-received, including starred reviews from Booklist[4] and Publishers Weekly.[5]
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."[5] Terry Hong, writing for Booklist, called the novel a "jaw-dropping debut" with "stunning artistry," complementing by Lai's "complex narrative skills."[4] 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."[6]
The Guardian's Rachel Cooke provided a mixed review, calling Stone Fruit "[a] downbeat but moving exploration of the aftermath of a relationship."[7] 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."[7]
| Year | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | American Library Association's Best Graphic Novels for Adults | Top 10 | [8] |
| National Book Foundation's "5 Under 35" Award | Honoree | [9] | |
| 2022 | Barbara Gittings Literature Award | Honor | [2] |
| Lambda Literary Award for Graphic Novel/Comics | Winner | [1] | |
| Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Graphic Novel/Comics | Finalist | [10] | |
| American Library Association's Over the Rainbow Book List | Top 10 | [11] | |
| Stella Prize | Shortlist | [12] |
References
edit- ^ a b Segal, Corinne (2022-06-13). "Congratulations to the winners of the 2022 Lambda Literary Awards!". Literary Hub. Retrieved 2022-06-16.
- ^ a b Chapman, Monica (2022-02-01). "2022 Barbara Gittings Literature Award and Israel Fishman Non-Fiction Award of the Stonewall Book Awards announced". American Library Association. Retrieved 2022-03-17.
- ^ "L.A Times Book Prizes 2022". Festival of Books. Retrieved 2022-03-17.
- ^ a b Hong, Terry (2021-05-15). Stone Fruit. Retrieved 2022-03-17 – via Booklist.
- ^ a b "Comics Book Review: Stone Fruit by Lee Lai. Fantagraphics, $24.99 (236p) ISBN 978-1-68396-426-1". PublishersWeekly.com. 11 May 2021. Retrieved 2022-03-17.
- ^ Sackton, Laura Olive (2021-05-27). "The Sacredness of Queer Aunthood in "Stone Fruit"". Chicago Review of Books. Retrieved 2022-03-17.
- ^ a b Cooke, Rachel (2021-05-25). "Stone Fruit by Lee Lai review – breaking up is hard to do". the Guardian. Retrieved 2022-03-17.
- ^ "2021 Best Graphic Novels for Adults Reading List". American Library Association. 2022-01-23. Retrieved 2022-03-17.
- ^ "Lee Lai". National Book Foundation. Retrieved 2022-06-06.
- ^ "L.A Times Book Prizes 2022". Festival of Books. Retrieved 2022-06-06.
- ^ Chapman, Monica (2022-02-15). "Over the Rainbow Committee announces 2022 Top 10 Book List". American Library Association. Retrieved 2022-03-17.
- ^ "Announcing the 2022 Stella Prize Shortlist". Stella. 2022-04-14. Retrieved 2022-06-06.