Review: The New York Four
By Lisa Fary
Brian Wood’s and Ryan Kelly’s Minx book, The New York Four, isn’t so much the “bird stretching her wings” story it wants to be as it is a love letter to Manhattan. Or a beginner’s guide to Manhattan with drawings in place of photographs.
As with Local, Kelly’s artwork is loyal to the location. However, Wood is far more present, plugging in little insider’s tips to the city that aren’t part of the narrative or really even necessary to the story. It’s more like a hip older sibling or cousin giving you a tour of the places she (or he) thinks you need to know about.
The story centers on Riley, college freshman, and her first semester in college. Riley, crushed under the protective nature of her parents, is very shy and prefers wifi relationships to real life ones. While she overcomes that, she reconnects with her estranged older sister, Angie, and makes some friends.
Riley’s friends, who I find far more interesting that Riley herself, are the weakest part of The New York Four. Maybe that’s a bit self-loathing on my part - I identify with Riley. Protective parents? Had ‘em. Awkward and shy to the point where others take one look and think, “Freakshow”? Still happens. I get Riley’s actions and motives. She doesn’t require much explanation for me, and it’s really uncomfortable seeing her make similar mistakes.
But, I’m really interested in her friends, especially Lona Lo. Is she really bonkers, or does she have some mild emotional disturbances? What’s with the camera? What about those Manson-lamps? She’s creepy and I want to know more about her.
What I didn’t expect from Brian Wood was Riley’s friend, Merissa Vasquez. Merissa, while likable in her limited appearances in The New York Four, is an egregious Latina stereotype. Dating several guys at once? Implied naughty shenanigans to get a job?
Really, Mr. Wood. I expected better of you.
At the end, I was really pissed at both Riley and her sister. How could Angie put up with that? How could Riley even consider that? Angie has other issues, but Riley, the one I identify with, is just young and in need of some learnin’. I can see myself at that age in a similar situation.
I suppose that’s part of the joy of reading books aimed at young adults. You get to internally advise characters with the wisdom of your advanced years while simultaneously seeing your own youthful indiscretions from a different perspective. You can mentally holler, “Don’t do that!” while knowing that if the character doesn’t do that, she’ll never learn.
And Riley will learn. She will grow up. We all do.
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Lisa Fary’s early exposure to classic Battlestar Galactica in 1979 is largely responsible for her lifelong interest in science fiction and her childhood ambition of being an intergalactic space cowgirl. She thinks diagramming sentences is a fun alternative to Sudoku.
Stumble it!
July 28th, 2008 at 11:02 am
I’ve been curious about this book, actually! I actually just read Water Baby, another Minx book that I’m planning on reviewing….I really do love the way that imprint writes challenging young women, even if the stories aren’t always that great - at least the characters aren’t one-note.
As for the Latina stereotyping - I’m very curious to read it now, being Latina myself. However, I know plenty of non-Hispanics who date more than one guy at once NOW. And I don’t see anything particularly wrong with that!