Book Review: “Lucky Penny” by Ananth Hirsh, Yuko Ota

Lucky Penny by Ananth Hirsh, Yuko Ota (2016)

Genre: Graphic Novel, Romance, Fiction

Page Length: 208 pages (electronic review edition)

Synopsis:

If Penny Brighton didn’t have bad luck, she’d have no luck at all. She lost her job. And her apartment. In the same day. But it’s okay, her friend has a cozy storage unit she can crash in. And there’s bound to be career opportunities at the neighborhood laundromat— just look how fast that 12-year-old who runs the place made it to management! Plus, there’s this sweet guy at the community center, and maybe Penny can even have a conversation with him without being a total dork. Surely Penny is capable of becoming an actual responsible adult, and if she can do that her luck’s bound to change! Right?

Review:

Lucky Penny is a new adult romance graphic novel that follows a young woman named Penny who loses her job, loses her apartment, and ends up living in a storage unit. She’s incredibly unlucky and working hard to get her life back on track all while dodging life’s obstacles. But when she meets Walter, Penny’s luck might just change for the better.

Penny has got to be one of the unluckiest protagonists I’ve read. Every time she tries to help someone out or fix a situation for the better, it just ends up spinning out of control. Reading this graphic novel reminded me of the uncertainties of growing up and becoming an adult. Because this feels and reads like a new adult novel, the strongest theme I could pick up on in this novel was a coming-of-age theme. Penny doesn’t have the right or wrong answers to anything, she’s just a character trying to figure it out as she goes.

The artwork (I read the color edition) is vibrant, and the story seems to leap off the page. It’s very reflective of Penny’s wackiness and overall eccentric nature. On top of a self-discovery narrative, the novel has a very sweet element of first love. Walter and Penny are awkward and cute as they try to navigate these feelings for one another. The romance is very sweet and leaves you with a cozy feeling.

As for the story, I think this graphic novel had a whole lot of potential but ultimately falls flat. It’s humorous and entertaining from beginning to end, but the plot just feels a bit vague at times. The story goes off track at certain times and I wish it had not strayed in so many directions. Penny is a likable character though and it made it a joy to read.

Final Verdict: