Being Mexican-American, three major themes in this graphic novel really resonated with me: 1.) no matter what Americans may think, Mexicans and Mexican-Americans are from two different cultures; 2.) sometimes it's best to curse in Spanish; and 3.) look out for crunchies who romanticize Mexico. They're probably running from something, and hoping beyond all hope that it can be found south of the border. This GN has all the elements of a fine graphic novel: show don't tell, illuminating line drawings, an expressive main character, and FOCUS. Jessica Abel writes about Mexico City through the eyes of her main character rather than through the ink pen of the artist. What we the readers get is a close first-person view of D.F. from the perspective of an American boho expatriate who desperately wants to discover her roots--what she believes will give her strength--by backpacking, couch-surfing, smoking pot, and falling in love in the most romantic and tawdry vecindades of Mexico City. Can you guess what happens next?

Ah, heartbreak of the most dramatic kind, i.e. the kind involving drug-runners, the media, kidnapping, murder, mysoginy, hypocrisy, and a child getting drunk drinking beer on the former lake Tlatelolco. If you read this book get ready for a serious culture clash: Americans face up to your capitalist nature and Mexicans get ready for some brutally honest back alley violence. And listen close: I'm not saying that is a book that exposes seedy truths about Mexican and American culture, but I am saying that it's the naive souls in our societies who suffer the worst crimes, regardless of race, culture, socio-economic status. Jessica Abel does a great job of depicting the worm in the bottom of the tequila bottle and the aftermath...oh, the aftermath.