Sam in New York
Genres: Psychological, slice of life, metafiction
Media: Graphic Novel
Summary:
On April 6, 1901, in the maternity ward of a hospital on the Lower East Side of New York City, Samuel Abramov — the one and only child of Lev and Raisa Abramov — is born.
"Sam in New York" follows Sam's life from his elementary school years to his late twenties, as he deals with his overbearing, demanding parents' desire for him to be a lawyer, his burgeoning love for the theatre, and embarks on his unceasing quest for fame, love and acceptance.
The Book of Joel
Genres: Psychological, slice of life, drama
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Media: Graphic Novel
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Summary:
Those who know him well (such as Sam Abramov and Malka Spitzer) say he’s like a cactus — soft on the inside and prickly on the outside.
This is the story of Joel Farber — debate enthusiast, stamp collector, and seeker of truth.
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Join Joel as he grows up on the Lower East Side of New York City, as he falls in love with the perceptive Malka, copes with his shockingly low self-esteem, struggles to free himself from his dysfunctional family, and wrestles with the remnants of a childhood stutter.
Sam in New York: The Anthology
Genres: Psychological, metafiction, historical, slice of life, drama
Media: Illustrated short stories
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Summary:
A companion to the graphic novel "Sam in New York," this anthology is a collection of short stories about Sam, his family, and his friends, exploring the trials and tribulations they faced while growing up and growing old on the Lower East Side.
Blue Star
Genres: Historical, surreal, psychological, drama
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Media: Graphic Novel
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Summary:
“Blue Star” tells the story of Kuzma Ardalionovich Mayakov, a dreamy and thoughtful young Soviet writer grappling with the implications of his family's legacy and his brother's death.
Haunted by visions of his brother's untimely demise on a blood-soaked poppy field during the Russian Civil War, Kuzma embarks on a quest to understand his father's past, his brother's motivations for joining the war, and his own love for storytelling.
Finding Sam
Read on Tapas
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Year: 2020
Genres: Psychological, drama, romance
Media: Graphic Novel
Summary:
This is an alternative universe (AU) retelling of Sam Abramov's story.
To learn more about his canon story, check out "Sam in New York."
Sam Abramov's childhood dream was to become an actor. Now a 25-year-old law school graduate barely making ends meet as a legal assistant, Sam has long laid to rest his dream of making it big as an actor. He is no longer sure of his future and feels increasingly anxious about his career. However, his life will soon radically change in more ways than one...!
The Shadow Self
Year: 2022
Genres: Action, Horror
Media: Graphic Novel
Summary:
Joel faces his worst enemy — his Shadow Self.
The Happiness of Malka Spitzer
Year: 2022
Genres: Slice of life, surreal
Media: Multi-genre chapbook
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Summary:
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The Happiness of Malka Spitzer is a collection of illustrations, short stories, poems, and other creative works about Malka Spitzer, one of the protagonists of Imelda Wei Ding Lo’s graphic novel, The Book of Joel.
Read this chapbook to laugh, cry, and revel in the mysteries of life with Malka.
Connection: A Wordless Picture Book
Year: 2023
Genres: Juvenile fiction
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Media: Children's book (wordless)
Summary:
A young boy (implied to be Joel Farber) discovers the joys of friendship.