Quiet Girl in a Noisy World: An Introvert's Story

Introversion is in vogue these days. And why not? The vast yet anonymous expanse of the Internet is the perfect place for folks to be themselves while remaining guarded by digital distance—and loud-spoken introversion paradoxically flourishes. Tung's comics are a great example of this phenomenon of the introvert in the spotlight. In this loosely knit memoir about realizing that one must work with one's shy character rather than against it, episodes range from growing up quiet to finding a respectful romantic relationship to the crush of a mundane office job. Tung's experiences are instantly recognizable for anyone who has ever chosen bed and a book over happy hour, but they also feel tidy and safe to the point of oversimplification. The precise, cute but not cloying panel comics are satisfying as small, emotionally vivid stand-alones, but the arc of the artist's young life begs a bit more self-revelation.