The High Desert

Name: The High Desert
Brand: Arotahi Agency
SKU: 9780358659112
Price: 54.0 NZD
Availability: OutOfStock

Black. Punk. Nowhere.

By James Spooner

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4.4

( 1,462 ratings, 301 reviews)

Summary

The High Desert by James Spooner is a graphic novel that delves into the punk scene of the 1980s through the eyes of a young Black teenager. It explores themes of identity, culture, and belonging as the protagonist navigates life in a predominantly White desert town, seeking connection through music and community. The narrative is rich with personal and societal insights, offering a unique perspective on race and youth subcultures.
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Format: Hardback

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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This graphic novel may appeal to you if you have an interest in coming-of-age stories that explore themes of identity, race, and music. It offers a raw and engaging depiction of teenage struggles, capturing the spirit of the punk scene and the quest for belonging in a vividly illustrated narrative.

A formative coming-of-age graphic memoir by the creator of Afro-punk: a young man's immersive reckoning with identity, racism, clumsy teen love and belonging in an isolated California desert, and a search for salvation and community through punk.

Description

Winner of a 2022 ALA Alex Award

Winner of the 2023 Cartoonist Studio Prize for Print Comics

One of The Washington Post's 10 Best Graphic Novels of 2022 One of NYPL's Best Books of 2022 A Publishers Weekly "Best Book of 2022"

Apple Valley, California, in the late eighties, a thirsty, miserable desert.

Teenage James Spooner hates that he and his mom are back in town after years away. The one silver lining—new school, new you, right? But the few Black kids at school seem to be gangbanging, and the other kids fall on a spectrum of micro-aggressors to future Neo-Nazis. Mixed race, acutely aware of his Blackness, James doesn't know where he fits until he meets Ty, a young Black punk who introduces him to the school outsiders—skaters, unhappy young rebels, caught up in the punk groundswell sweeping the country.

A haircut, a few Sex Pistols, Misfits, and Black Flag records later: suddenly, James has friends, romantic prospects, and knows the difference between a bass and a guitar. But this desolate landscape hides brutal, building undercurrents: a classmate overdoses, a friend must prove himself to his white supremacist brother and the local Aryan brotherhood through a show of violence. Everything and everyone are set to collide at one of the year's biggest shows in town...

Weaving in the Black roots of punk rock and a vivid interlude in the thriving eighties DIY scene in New York's East Village, this is the memoir of a budding punk, artist, and activist.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The High Desert by James Spooner is lauded for its compelling narrative that intertwines punk culture with themes of race and identity. It has received acclaim for its raw and honest portrayal of Spooner's journey to self-acceptance amidst the challenges of growing up as an outsider. The graphic memoir is praised for its beautiful artwork and emotional depth, making it a critical and engaging exploration of adolescence within a vibrant subculture.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780358659112

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Inc

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 04 August 2022

Country: United States

Imprint: Harper

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 34.0mm

Width: 178.0mm

Height: 229.0mm

Weight: 1025g

Pages: 368

Collections

Arts & Culture Biography & Memoir Fiction Graphic Novels James Spooner

About the Author

JAMES SPOONER is an accomplished tattoo artist, illustrator, and filmmaker. He directed the seminal documentary Afro-Punk. Spooner is also the co-founder of the Afro-punk Festival. Spooner's work has appeared in NPR, Vice, The Village Voice, The New Yorker, Vibe, Fader, MTV, NBC News, and Variety. He is an ongoing guest curator for the Broad Museum in Los Angeles, and previously programmed for the Brooklyn Academy of Music.