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Starry Starry Night: A graphic novel that explores death, grief, friendship and music
After Kunal’s mother dies, he is sent off to a boarding school in the hills. Till he has a hostel room, he stays with Tara, his father's cousin, who teaches a special music programme in the school.Teaching music helped Tara after her best friend died—that, and perhaps the company of the enigmatic figure known as Death, whom she sees everywhere.Tara and Kunal must try to live together, their lives entwined by their separate losses—which neither is comfortable talking about.This is a tale of love and loss, of the healing and illuminating power of friendship, art and music.
- GenresGraphic NovelsFiction
168 pages, Paperback
Published March 26, 2024
13 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 6, 2024
In a Nutshell: From the gorgeous cover and title and the intriguing premise, I expected much more. Liked the story okay, but couldn’t connect with the graphics. Might work better for those with a preference for more abstract topics.
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Story Synopsis:
I've been a fan of graphic novels for many years now, but not once had I read an Indian graphic novel. So when the opportunity to read this offering came up, I was thrilled. The cover graphics were very soothing, and the prominent place that music has in the art made me expect a strong story where music helps process grief – a theme that’s much appealing to my music-loving heart. To a certain extent, this particular expectation was met.
I loved the concept of the story - a young boy who feels lost after his world turned upside down and a woman who feels like she is surrounded by Death, literally. The book tackles well the idea of how it takes time to heal from grief, how the healing isn't necessarily complete healing, how different people process loss differently, and how long-term pain can affect mental well-being. The story also highlights the pressure of expectations on young minds, and the role of art in alleviating suffering. One thing I found interesting was how the book used the stages of grief to depict the changes in the lives and thinking of Tara and Kunal.
Beyond this, I couldn’t really vibe with this book. The writing feels disjointed across topics, with grief playing the role of a backing track. The secondary plots of drug and cigarette smoking habit in teens, the rich father using his status and wealth to secure his intentions for his son, the backstory of Tara's friend - all of these felt more like distractions than value additions to the core plot.
The interactions between Death and Tara were introspective. Truth be told, I did like some of their conversations about the circle of life. But much of their talk is abstruse and somewhat repetitive. So, as someone who isn't too fond of philosophy and the 'meaning of life' kind of discussions, I kept zoning out during their scenes. This aspect might work better for readers who enjoy deeper philosophical topics.
I could still have rated this higher had I liked the art. This is a graphic novel, after all! Readers of this format don't pick up books only for the plot but also for the illustrations. But I'm sorry to say, the sketches just didn’t work for me. Seeing that the content had only B&W illustrations was the first step towards disappointment. There are too many onomatopoeic words in the graphics, most of which are distracting. The human figures are too stiff, having very rigid poses. In many panels, there is the same blank expression on their faces, no matter what the words in the text bubbles say. I also wasn’t a fan of the way the characters’ hair was drawn, especially for those sketches without black hair. Contemporary Tara is a brunette, but in the backstory, she was blonde (or some light hair shade?), so it took me long to understand that they were the same person, so dissimilar were the two depictions. Kunal’s hair made him look like a franciscan monk. Basically, I liked nothing about the graphics. Then again, art is a subjective preference, so what didn’t click for me might just work for you.
Overall, the story was just about okay, and while I appreciate the content related to grief and healing, the rest was not my cup of tea. The artwork didn't satisfy me at any level. Hence, this graphic novel and this reader weren’t a match made in the starry starry heavens.
I suppose the book might work better for someone who has a more philosophical bent of mind and doesn't mind simplistic graphics.
Do note that despite the presence of a young boy as one of the main characters, I wouldn’t recommend this book to kids because of some of the content. The official target age is readers aged 10+, but I would suggest it only to the 15+ segment.
2 stars.
My thanks to BlogChatter and author Nandita Basu for a complimentary copy of “Starry Starry Night”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. Sorry it didn't work out better.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Story Synopsis:
After the sudden death of his mother, teenaged Kunal has been sent to a boarding school in the hills. Until the hostel situation is settled, he needs to stay with his distant aunt Tara, who is a music teacher in the same school. Kunal has yet to come to terms with his grief, and the change in location isn't helping.
Tara herself is battling grief over the death of a close friend many years ago. While music has helped her to a certain extent, what's affecting her mind is that she can always see a strange figure known as 'Death'.
Though both Tara and Kunal aren't comfortable talking about their grief, they realise that the journey ahead will be better if they share their pain with each other.
I've been a fan of graphic novels for many years now, but not once had I read an Indian graphic novel. So when the opportunity to read this offering came up, I was thrilled. The cover graphics were very soothing, and the prominent place that music has in the art made me expect a strong story where music helps process grief – a theme that’s much appealing to my music-loving heart. To a certain extent, this particular expectation was met.
I loved the concept of the story - a young boy who feels lost after his world turned upside down and a woman who feels like she is surrounded by Death, literally. The book tackles well the idea of how it takes time to heal from grief, how the healing isn't necessarily complete healing, how different people process loss differently, and how long-term pain can affect mental well-being. The story also highlights the pressure of expectations on young minds, and the role of art in alleviating suffering. One thing I found interesting was how the book used the stages of grief to depict the changes in the lives and thinking of Tara and Kunal.
Beyond this, I couldn’t really vibe with this book. The writing feels disjointed across topics, with grief playing the role of a backing track. The secondary plots of drug and cigarette smoking habit in teens, the rich father using his status and wealth to secure his intentions for his son, the backstory of Tara's friend - all of these felt more like distractions than value additions to the core plot.
The interactions between Death and Tara were introspective. Truth be told, I did like some of their conversations about the circle of life. But much of their talk is abstruse and somewhat repetitive. So, as someone who isn't too fond of philosophy and the 'meaning of life' kind of discussions, I kept zoning out during their scenes. This aspect might work better for readers who enjoy deeper philosophical topics.
I could still have rated this higher had I liked the art. This is a graphic novel, after all! Readers of this format don't pick up books only for the plot but also for the illustrations. But I'm sorry to say, the sketches just didn’t work for me. Seeing that the content had only B&W illustrations was the first step towards disappointment. There are too many onomatopoeic words in the graphics, most of which are distracting. The human figures are too stiff, having very rigid poses. In many panels, there is the same blank expression on their faces, no matter what the words in the text bubbles say. I also wasn’t a fan of the way the characters’ hair was drawn, especially for those sketches without black hair. Contemporary Tara is a brunette, but in the backstory, she was blonde (or some light hair shade?), so it took me long to understand that they were the same person, so dissimilar were the two depictions. Kunal’s hair made him look like a franciscan monk. Basically, I liked nothing about the graphics. Then again, art is a subjective preference, so what didn’t click for me might just work for you.
Overall, the story was just about okay, and while I appreciate the content related to grief and healing, the rest was not my cup of tea. The artwork didn't satisfy me at any level. Hence, this graphic novel and this reader weren’t a match made in the starry starry heavens.
I suppose the book might work better for someone who has a more philosophical bent of mind and doesn't mind simplistic graphics.
Do note that despite the presence of a young boy as one of the main characters, I wouldn’t recommend this book to kids because of some of the content. The official target age is readers aged 10+, but I would suggest it only to the 15+ segment.
2 stars.
My thanks to BlogChatter and author Nandita Basu for a complimentary copy of “Starry Starry Night”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. Sorry it didn't work out better.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
January 24, 2024
After Kunal’s mother dies, he is sent off to a boarding school in the hills. Till he has a hostel room, he stays with Tara, his father's cousin, who teaches a special music programme in the school.Teaching music helped Tara after her best friend died—that, and perhaps the company of the enigmatic figure known as Death, whom she sees everywhere.Tara and Kunal must try to live together, their lives entwined by their separate losses—which neither is comfortable talking about.This is a tale of love and loss, of the healing and illuminating power of friendship, art and music.
🐾
"Starry Starry Night" by Nandita Basu is a graphic novel that talks about things like death, sadness, friendship, and music.
I really liked the main idea of the book. It had a deep, philosophical aspect and tried to tell a beautiful story about death, gruef & recovery and the author did a good job in capturing some parts of how people feel when they are going through a tough time. These moments were short but powerful.
But for most of the book, it felt too long. It seemed like the story was being stretched out, and the illustrations were average and not as good as they could be given the context of this book. Even though the book tried to have an impact, I think it missed the mark.
In the end, even though it started out well, the book kind of lost its direction. I hoped for a better story and illustrations that fit the story, but it didn't happen. It left me wanting more from a story about such a heavy topic, and it was a bit disappointing.
🐾
Rated 5/10
Melina L.
🐾
"Starry Starry Night" by Nandita Basu is a graphic novel that talks about things like death, sadness, friendship, and music.
I really liked the main idea of the book. It had a deep, philosophical aspect and tried to tell a beautiful story about death, gruef & recovery and the author did a good job in capturing some parts of how people feel when they are going through a tough time. These moments were short but powerful.
But for most of the book, it felt too long. It seemed like the story was being stretched out, and the illustrations were average and not as good as they could be given the context of this book. Even though the book tried to have an impact, I think it missed the mark.
In the end, even though it started out well, the book kind of lost its direction. I hoped for a better story and illustrations that fit the story, but it didn't happen. It left me wanting more from a story about such a heavy topic, and it was a bit disappointing.
🐾
Rated 5/10
Melina L.
March 1, 2024
Starry Starry Night is a poignant and captivating novel that explores the themes of love, loss, and healing through the lens of music, art, and friendship. The author skillfully weaves the stories of two protagonists, Tara and Kunal, who are both coping with the death of their loved ones. Tara finds solace in teaching music and seeing Death as a companion, while Kunal struggles to adjust to a new boarding school and living with Tara, his distant relative. Their relationship evolves from awkwardness to understanding, as they learn to share their grief and find hope in each other.
The book is rich in imagery and symbolism, as the author uses the starry night as a metaphor for the beauty and mystery of life, death, and the afterlife. The illustrations in the book are stunning and complement the mood and tone of the story. The characters are well-developed and realistic, each with their own personality and voice. The author also touches on the topics of culture, identity, and family, as Tara and Kunal navigate their different backgrounds and expectations.
Starry Starry Night is a moving and memorable read that will touch the hearts of readers who enjoy stories of love, loss, and healing. It is a book that celebrates the power of music, art, and friendship to heal the wounds of the past and embrace the future.
The book is rich in imagery and symbolism, as the author uses the starry night as a metaphor for the beauty and mystery of life, death, and the afterlife. The illustrations in the book are stunning and complement the mood and tone of the story. The characters are well-developed and realistic, each with their own personality and voice. The author also touches on the topics of culture, identity, and family, as Tara and Kunal navigate their different backgrounds and expectations.
Starry Starry Night is a moving and memorable read that will touch the hearts of readers who enjoy stories of love, loss, and healing. It is a book that celebrates the power of music, art, and friendship to heal the wounds of the past and embrace the future.
January 8, 2024
“THIS IS FOR YOU, AUNT TARA. I CALL IT STARRY NIGHT. YOU COULD HANG IT ON THE WALL THAT IMP SCRIBBLED ON“. These were the lines from the book STARRY STARRY NIGHT BY NANDITA BASU. She is a comic book artist and a musician. Her other books are: The Piano and Rain Must fall.
Kunal and Tara are the two main characters in this book who immensely support each other through their tough times. It is a story about loss and grief faced by two individuals who stay under one roof with varying backgrounds, age and interests.
The impact of loss and grief is different on every individual and it varies because of numerous personal, emotional and social factors. This book tries to help children to know, understand, express, support and to overcome loss and grief in their lives. It emphasises that the death, loss and grief are natural and part of life. To understand all these issues may not be fully comfortable for children but the need to prepare themselves to face such issues around them creates the need to discuss these issues.
The book STARRY STARRY NIGHT, while speaking about loss and grief it wisely opens up about the smooth paths to be taken up to overcome the same. The two characters though affected with same challenge of suffering from the death of a close family member. The hold they take to overcome it is entirely different and it is their own strength in the form of music & art.
Nature walk, pets, cooking, friends, memories along with their interest in music and arts plays an important role in overcoming the state of sadness, depression, fear, shame, grief, worry, loneliness and anxiety. Music & art has the power to get us back on track with same gusto whenever we set back little in life. Though it takes time to come back a fresh with strength and stamina, it is sure to not to let you down in life.
Reading the book STARRY STARRY NIGHT is sure to touch us emotionally making us more emphatic. It has a lot of message for adults too. With regard to children, reading along with the support of parents or adults will help in taking the message in an appropriate sense. More over many of their doubts can be cleared right away paving way for their sound understanding of the concept of life and death.
The subject discussed in this book may seem heavy at times when it is solely meant for children. But it is a right way to start at this age because it will wipe the fear slowly that is connected with the life and death or loss and grief. Children need lots of courage and strength to face challenges and to overcome tough situations in their lives, for which they need to be aware of the numerous phases of life. This book is sure to throw light on the dark parts of lives and guide them to build their best self.
Kunal and Tara are the two main characters in this book who immensely support each other through their tough times. It is a story about loss and grief faced by two individuals who stay under one roof with varying backgrounds, age and interests.
The impact of loss and grief is different on every individual and it varies because of numerous personal, emotional and social factors. This book tries to help children to know, understand, express, support and to overcome loss and grief in their lives. It emphasises that the death, loss and grief are natural and part of life. To understand all these issues may not be fully comfortable for children but the need to prepare themselves to face such issues around them creates the need to discuss these issues.
The book STARRY STARRY NIGHT, while speaking about loss and grief it wisely opens up about the smooth paths to be taken up to overcome the same. The two characters though affected with same challenge of suffering from the death of a close family member. The hold they take to overcome it is entirely different and it is their own strength in the form of music & art.
Nature walk, pets, cooking, friends, memories along with their interest in music and arts plays an important role in overcoming the state of sadness, depression, fear, shame, grief, worry, loneliness and anxiety. Music & art has the power to get us back on track with same gusto whenever we set back little in life. Though it takes time to come back a fresh with strength and stamina, it is sure to not to let you down in life.
Reading the book STARRY STARRY NIGHT is sure to touch us emotionally making us more emphatic. It has a lot of message for adults too. With regard to children, reading along with the support of parents or adults will help in taking the message in an appropriate sense. More over many of their doubts can be cleared right away paving way for their sound understanding of the concept of life and death.
The subject discussed in this book may seem heavy at times when it is solely meant for children. But it is a right way to start at this age because it will wipe the fear slowly that is connected with the life and death or loss and grief. Children need lots of courage and strength to face challenges and to overcome tough situations in their lives, for which they need to be aware of the numerous phases of life. This book is sure to throw light on the dark parts of lives and guide them to build their best self.
September 2, 2024
Review - https://booksteacupreviews.com/2024/0...
Starry Starry Night is a touching and heartfelt graphic novel that tells the story of Kunal and his aunt Tara, both of whom are grieving the loss of a loved one.
After his mother’s death, Kunal is sent to a boarding school in the hills to live with his father’s cousin, Tara. Due to his parents' separation, he isn’t close to his father and has never met Tara before. However, they share the common bond of loss, and as they spend more time together, they begin to connect through their grief, helping each other to process and heal enough to move forward in life.
I really felt for Kunal, who has endured so much at such a young age. He hasn’t fully processed the loss of his mother when he’s uprooted to a new place, a new school, and to live with someone he doesn’t know. It’s no wonder he feels aloof, prefers to spend time alone, and struggles to express what he’s going through.
On top of this, he faces challenges adjusting to the boarding school, making friends, and dealing with the influence of other students. Despite everything, I loved seeing how he gradually made friends and tried to understand Tara.
Tara, a music teacher at the boarding school and a once-famous musician, is still grappling with the loss of her childhood friend, Nysa, who died of cancer seven years ago. Tara’s ability to see and communicate with Death doesn’t make coping with her grief any easier. Lately, she’s been seeing the deaths of everyone she meets, and she doesn’t understand why. However, she does understand Kunal and his grief.
I appreciated how she helped him in a gentle, non-intrusive way, giving him the time he needed to adjust to his new life. Their conversations became a crucial part of Kunal’s healing process, and I admired how Tara supported him, especially when he got into trouble near the end. I also admired Tara’s strength in dealing with Death's presence. Despite doubts about her sanity and undergoing therapy, she eventually learned to trust Death and listen to what it had to say.
The author masterfully handles the themes of grief and loss throughout the book, adding layers of parental pressure, school politics, finding one’s path, and learning from mistakes. I especially enjoyed Death’s perspective and the conversations between Death and Tara—they were some of the best parts of the story.
The illustrations, though in black and white, are vivid and packed with emotion. As this was my first graphic novel, I occasionally struggled with the format, and I wasn’t a fan of the all-caps text throughout the book.
Overall, Starry Starry Night is a well-written and realistic graphic novel with well-developed characters and a poignant exploration of loss and the journey toward healing.
Starry Starry Night is a touching and heartfelt graphic novel that tells the story of Kunal and his aunt Tara, both of whom are grieving the loss of a loved one.
After his mother’s death, Kunal is sent to a boarding school in the hills to live with his father’s cousin, Tara. Due to his parents' separation, he isn’t close to his father and has never met Tara before. However, they share the common bond of loss, and as they spend more time together, they begin to connect through their grief, helping each other to process and heal enough to move forward in life.
I really felt for Kunal, who has endured so much at such a young age. He hasn’t fully processed the loss of his mother when he’s uprooted to a new place, a new school, and to live with someone he doesn’t know. It’s no wonder he feels aloof, prefers to spend time alone, and struggles to express what he’s going through.
On top of this, he faces challenges adjusting to the boarding school, making friends, and dealing with the influence of other students. Despite everything, I loved seeing how he gradually made friends and tried to understand Tara.
Tara, a music teacher at the boarding school and a once-famous musician, is still grappling with the loss of her childhood friend, Nysa, who died of cancer seven years ago. Tara’s ability to see and communicate with Death doesn’t make coping with her grief any easier. Lately, she’s been seeing the deaths of everyone she meets, and she doesn’t understand why. However, she does understand Kunal and his grief.
I appreciated how she helped him in a gentle, non-intrusive way, giving him the time he needed to adjust to his new life. Their conversations became a crucial part of Kunal’s healing process, and I admired how Tara supported him, especially when he got into trouble near the end. I also admired Tara’s strength in dealing with Death's presence. Despite doubts about her sanity and undergoing therapy, she eventually learned to trust Death and listen to what it had to say.
The author masterfully handles the themes of grief and loss throughout the book, adding layers of parental pressure, school politics, finding one’s path, and learning from mistakes. I especially enjoyed Death’s perspective and the conversations between Death and Tara—they were some of the best parts of the story.
The illustrations, though in black and white, are vivid and packed with emotion. As this was my first graphic novel, I occasionally struggled with the format, and I wasn’t a fan of the all-caps text throughout the book.
Overall, Starry Starry Night is a well-written and realistic graphic novel with well-developed characters and a poignant exploration of loss and the journey toward healing.
December 31, 2023
Full review on my blog:
https://blog.medhaapps.com/2023/12/bo...
When Kunal’s mother passed away suddenly, he is sent by his father to a boarding school in a hill station. Since his parents were previously separated and his father remarried and had his own family now, Kunal also preferred to stay away from his father. Since it is mid-term, he could not be accommodated in the boy’s hostel and hence had to stay with Tara, his father’s cousin.
Tara conducted a special music program for the school and is currently preparing with the students who trained under her for an upcoming radio show. Tara struggled to complete the closing verses after her music partner and best friend Nysa passed away due to ill health. Will Kunal be able to adjust to a new place and new school while processing his grief? Will Tara be able to overcome the vacuum she felt due to loss of Nysa and be able to finish the song forms the rest of the story.
The author picks an extremely sensitive but important topic of grief, of losing our loved ones, whether it is a friend like Tara or a family member like Kunal. From explaining the various stages of grief, and how humans process them in general to how loss of one person can traumatize us, like how Tara starts seeing Death everywhere around her, the author showcases such varied emotions with ease.
In addition to Death and grief, the author also touches on other important topics like mental health and how the society still perceives and treats mentally ill people, how young adults can quickly slip into wrong habits and become rebels due to lack of love and care. The story being narrated in the format of a graphic novel helps the reader be engrossed in the narrative quickly. I was myself so pulled into the story that I had read the book a second time to appreciate the wonderful illustrations.
The author also highlights how art and creativity can help us navigate our grief, through the life of Tara and Kunal. I highly recommend this book for all adults, who are going through grief, not just because of losing a loved one but for any sad phase they may be going through. However, for young kids, I would recommend the parents to pick it up based on how sensitive their kids are to process Death and loss.
https://blog.medhaapps.com/2023/12/bo...
When Kunal’s mother passed away suddenly, he is sent by his father to a boarding school in a hill station. Since his parents were previously separated and his father remarried and had his own family now, Kunal also preferred to stay away from his father. Since it is mid-term, he could not be accommodated in the boy’s hostel and hence had to stay with Tara, his father’s cousin.
Tara conducted a special music program for the school and is currently preparing with the students who trained under her for an upcoming radio show. Tara struggled to complete the closing verses after her music partner and best friend Nysa passed away due to ill health. Will Kunal be able to adjust to a new place and new school while processing his grief? Will Tara be able to overcome the vacuum she felt due to loss of Nysa and be able to finish the song forms the rest of the story.
The author picks an extremely sensitive but important topic of grief, of losing our loved ones, whether it is a friend like Tara or a family member like Kunal. From explaining the various stages of grief, and how humans process them in general to how loss of one person can traumatize us, like how Tara starts seeing Death everywhere around her, the author showcases such varied emotions with ease.
In addition to Death and grief, the author also touches on other important topics like mental health and how the society still perceives and treats mentally ill people, how young adults can quickly slip into wrong habits and become rebels due to lack of love and care. The story being narrated in the format of a graphic novel helps the reader be engrossed in the narrative quickly. I was myself so pulled into the story that I had read the book a second time to appreciate the wonderful illustrations.
The author also highlights how art and creativity can help us navigate our grief, through the life of Tara and Kunal. I highly recommend this book for all adults, who are going through grief, not just because of losing a loved one but for any sad phase they may be going through. However, for young kids, I would recommend the parents to pick it up based on how sensitive their kids are to process Death and loss.
January 16, 2024
Starry Starry Nights by Nandita Basu is a comic-style story-telling novel. It holds a deep message with beautiful artwork and story.
Review
Starry Starry Night is a story of love, loss, and healing. With the passage of time, the story twists toward the comeback of music, art, and friendship in the lives of main characters.
The plot of the story is well-maintained. Readers will love the storyline, along with descriptive artwork. The story revolves around two central characters who undergo their journeys of love, loss, and grief. One lost her friend, and the other lost his mother. The sketches in this book, with damped colors and dreamlike appearances, flawlessly capture the emotional background of the story.
The character sketch of each individual in this story turns detailed, unfolding their past and connections with the one they lost. Each character follows the same trait of feelings yet with a unique style. The author beautifully painted their emotions, like the one expressed with anger and confusion, while the other depicted the soul under introspection and longing for peace.
This book stands out due to its beautiful portrayal of grief. The author ensures to express loss with a pinch of humor, hope, teasing, and the notoriousness and wickedness of school kids. There was an incident where a kid, out of his ego, ruined the career of the main female character in the story. To find out how you have to pick this book.
Multiple quotes in this book are touchy and profound. Readers of a young age may not resonate with them as it talks about serious topics like life and death. Readers might fail to follow the sequence of dialogues in a few places, but there is always going back when they read beautiful stories.
Moreover, readers will like this book for its engaging and connecting story. At some point in life, we often lose loved ones. If not to death, we get separated from them due to circumstances. So, the author's straightforward narration of life and death with everything in between will allow readers to express their emotions while reading this book, including laughing, crying, grieving, hoping, and showing tears of joy.
Review
Starry Starry Night is a story of love, loss, and healing. With the passage of time, the story twists toward the comeback of music, art, and friendship in the lives of main characters.
The plot of the story is well-maintained. Readers will love the storyline, along with descriptive artwork. The story revolves around two central characters who undergo their journeys of love, loss, and grief. One lost her friend, and the other lost his mother. The sketches in this book, with damped colors and dreamlike appearances, flawlessly capture the emotional background of the story.
The character sketch of each individual in this story turns detailed, unfolding their past and connections with the one they lost. Each character follows the same trait of feelings yet with a unique style. The author beautifully painted their emotions, like the one expressed with anger and confusion, while the other depicted the soul under introspection and longing for peace.
This book stands out due to its beautiful portrayal of grief. The author ensures to express loss with a pinch of humor, hope, teasing, and the notoriousness and wickedness of school kids. There was an incident where a kid, out of his ego, ruined the career of the main female character in the story. To find out how you have to pick this book.
Multiple quotes in this book are touchy and profound. Readers of a young age may not resonate with them as it talks about serious topics like life and death. Readers might fail to follow the sequence of dialogues in a few places, but there is always going back when they read beautiful stories.
Moreover, readers will like this book for its engaging and connecting story. At some point in life, we often lose loved ones. If not to death, we get separated from them due to circumstances. So, the author's straightforward narration of life and death with everything in between will allow readers to express their emotions while reading this book, including laughing, crying, grieving, hoping, and showing tears of joy.
March 9, 2024
This all black and white intricately illustrated graphic novel, invites readers into a poignant journey of resilience and self-discovery, skillfully navigating the depths of grief with sensitivity and insight. Through the intertwined stories of Kunal and Tara, the book offers a profound exploration of how individuals cope with loss and find solace amidst darkness. Tara has lost her longtime friend and co-composer Nysa, while Kunal has lost his mother recently and is now coming to live with Tara temporarily. The two deal with their griefs in their own planes at the same time co-existing together. Tara never presses Kunal and Kunal too copes in his own way.
The cast of supporting characters Giri, the school principal being Tara s friend, the cast of students Rohan, Simon, Tara s dog, even cafe owner Iban have a strong presence in the book. The sub themes of friendship, parental pressure, peer pressure, unacceptance of mental health and others add substance to the book making it an eye opener for young readers.
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The paths of grief and healing through Kunal and Tara's intertwined journeys teaches us well about the acceptance of death as we accept life itself. Tara and Death's interactions offer introspection, though some may find the philosophical discussion, it brought me a lot of closure, having lost quite a few close ones, including my dad.
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The book adeptly showcases how individuals cope with loss differently, emphasizing support and understanding. Nature, art, and music emerge as powerful tools for resilience. The simplistic artwork can resonate universally, and philosophical themes are expressed well for young audiences to feel.
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While containing mature themes, the book provides an opportunity for meaningful discussions about life, death, and the human experience, making it a valuable resource for both personal reflection and group conversations.
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Knowing Nandita personally now, I can see how she has seamlessly blended in music, art and even food herewith acceptance of death. I was impressed by her last work, now I am a fan!
The cast of supporting characters Giri, the school principal being Tara s friend, the cast of students Rohan, Simon, Tara s dog, even cafe owner Iban have a strong presence in the book. The sub themes of friendship, parental pressure, peer pressure, unacceptance of mental health and others add substance to the book making it an eye opener for young readers.
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The paths of grief and healing through Kunal and Tara's intertwined journeys teaches us well about the acceptance of death as we accept life itself. Tara and Death's interactions offer introspection, though some may find the philosophical discussion, it brought me a lot of closure, having lost quite a few close ones, including my dad.
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The book adeptly showcases how individuals cope with loss differently, emphasizing support and understanding. Nature, art, and music emerge as powerful tools for resilience. The simplistic artwork can resonate universally, and philosophical themes are expressed well for young audiences to feel.
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While containing mature themes, the book provides an opportunity for meaningful discussions about life, death, and the human experience, making it a valuable resource for both personal reflection and group conversations.
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Knowing Nandita personally now, I can see how she has seamlessly blended in music, art and even food herewith acceptance of death. I was impressed by her last work, now I am a fan!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2024
✔️ Graphic novel
✔️Mental illness potrayal
✔️Coping with loss
✔️ Transforming power of art
𝑴𝒚 𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔: - The prospect of reading a graphic novel always enticed me , as i started my journey as a reader through graphic novels. But Starry Starry nights took me by surprise with the themes showcased - Grief , Depression , coping up with loss of loved ones.
The story centers around 2 characters with similar experiences with loss - Kunal, dealing with the profound sadness of losing his mother. Seeking comfort, he stays with Tara, a distant relative of his father, who is also grappling with the emotional toll of losing her best friend and music partner. Together, they embark on a journey to pay tribute to the memories of their departed loved ones.
The plot takes an interesting turn with Tara's unique ability to perceive an entity representing death—an imaginative element that serves as a metaphor for mental health challenges. The novel sheds light on societal stigmas surrounding mental health, as seen through Tara's struggles, including the loss of her job due to seeking help from a mental health institution.
Amidst the shadows of sorrow, the graphic novel explores the healing power of art. Both Tara and Kunal find solace in expressing their traumas through creative outlets, providing a pathway to recovery. The narrative unfolds as a poignant exploration of grief, mental health, and the transformative potential of artistic endeavors in overcoming adversity.
In essence, Starry Nights transcends its graphic novel format to offer a compelling narrative that delves into the complexities of human emotions, prompting readers to reflect on universally relatable themes.
✔️Mental illness potrayal
✔️Coping with loss
✔️ Transforming power of art
𝑴𝒚 𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔: - The prospect of reading a graphic novel always enticed me , as i started my journey as a reader through graphic novels. But Starry Starry nights took me by surprise with the themes showcased - Grief , Depression , coping up with loss of loved ones.
The story centers around 2 characters with similar experiences with loss - Kunal, dealing with the profound sadness of losing his mother. Seeking comfort, he stays with Tara, a distant relative of his father, who is also grappling with the emotional toll of losing her best friend and music partner. Together, they embark on a journey to pay tribute to the memories of their departed loved ones.
The plot takes an interesting turn with Tara's unique ability to perceive an entity representing death—an imaginative element that serves as a metaphor for mental health challenges. The novel sheds light on societal stigmas surrounding mental health, as seen through Tara's struggles, including the loss of her job due to seeking help from a mental health institution.
Amidst the shadows of sorrow, the graphic novel explores the healing power of art. Both Tara and Kunal find solace in expressing their traumas through creative outlets, providing a pathway to recovery. The narrative unfolds as a poignant exploration of grief, mental health, and the transformative potential of artistic endeavors in overcoming adversity.
In essence, Starry Nights transcends its graphic novel format to offer a compelling narrative that delves into the complexities of human emotions, prompting readers to reflect on universally relatable themes.
February 25, 2024
In this graphic novel, we follow the journey of Kunal, a young boy grappling with the sudden loss of his mother, who finds himself uprooted to live with his father's cousin, Tara. Kunal navigates his new environment and struggles to come to terms with his grief. Tara who is also mourning the loss of her best friend has an unexpected companion, Death himself. Interwoven with the main narrative are glimpses into Tara's past and her conversations with Death, which serve to coping with loss and finding one's own path to healing.
While the interactions with Death may not delve into philosophical depths, they offer profound insights into Tara's inner journey and her unique approach to processing her grief. Through the lens of Kunal's experiences at his new school, the author skillfully sheds light on the pressures and challenges faced by young people, illustrating how these struggles can sometimes lead to misguided decisions.
Though the sketches in the graphic novel are serviceable, they could have been enhanced to better complement the emotional depth of the story. Nevertheless, the central theme of navigating loss at one's own pace resonates strongly, reminding readers of the importance of allowing oneself the time and space to heal.
While the interactions with Death may not delve into philosophical depths, they offer profound insights into Tara's inner journey and her unique approach to processing her grief. Through the lens of Kunal's experiences at his new school, the author skillfully sheds light on the pressures and challenges faced by young people, illustrating how these struggles can sometimes lead to misguided decisions.
Though the sketches in the graphic novel are serviceable, they could have been enhanced to better complement the emotional depth of the story. Nevertheless, the central theme of navigating loss at one's own pace resonates strongly, reminding readers of the importance of allowing oneself the time and space to heal.
March 8, 2024
I hardly read any graphic novel but this one came in, probably when i needed it. Because i needed something that could be light for my brain. And this one was just the perfect amount of "heavy to heart" and not brain.
It tells us a story of 2 people- one adult, one kid and the story of their lost loved ones. The way they deals with the grief. When Kunal's mother dies, he was sent to live with his father's cousin, Tara, who had dealt with her best friend's death a few years ago. Now there's one special quality of Tara, she can see and talk to an enigmatic figure known as Death.
What I feel about this book!!!!
At first i had my doubts if this book should be introduced to young minds? Should they be exposed to the concept like DEATH? But I realized, it is important that kids are introduced to such books more often, books that deals with grief. Books that teaches them how they are not alone when they lose a loved one. That life is precious and death can never be the end. The way this book explains is-' it takes you from one dimension and places you at another. And death is just a door, a portal.. to something new'
MAYBE A NEW BEGINNING....
I was so happy that i received an ARC of the book... Thanks a lot to Penguinsters and Duckbill...
It tells us a story of 2 people- one adult, one kid and the story of their lost loved ones. The way they deals with the grief. When Kunal's mother dies, he was sent to live with his father's cousin, Tara, who had dealt with her best friend's death a few years ago. Now there's one special quality of Tara, she can see and talk to an enigmatic figure known as Death.
What I feel about this book!!!!
At first i had my doubts if this book should be introduced to young minds? Should they be exposed to the concept like DEATH? But I realized, it is important that kids are introduced to such books more often, books that deals with grief. Books that teaches them how they are not alone when they lose a loved one. That life is precious and death can never be the end. The way this book explains is-' it takes you from one dimension and places you at another. And death is just a door, a portal.. to something new'
MAYBE A NEW BEGINNING....
I was so happy that i received an ARC of the book... Thanks a lot to Penguinsters and Duckbill...
December 21, 2023
Starry Starry Night is a book about two individuals Kunal and Tara who are trying to cope with their loss.
Kunal has lost his mother and has come to stay with Tara, his father's cousin. Tara has lost her best friend Nysa. Tara started teaching music which helped her to cope with the loss and also she use to imagine a figure with whom she use to talk which helped her in her grief.
This graphic novel explores death, grief, friendships, art, music. It captures how a person changes and what they go through when they lose a loved one. It also talks about after death, where a person goes.
After looking at the blurb and cover i had huge expectations from the book but i just didn't enjoy this one. There wasnt any engaging element in it. I know its on a serious topic about loss and grief but still i just couldn't find it engaging. The ending also i found it okayish. It seemed very incomplete. I had thought it would throw more light on how art and music is actually helping the characters....and that imaginative voice was big turn off for me. It was an okayish read for me
Kunal has lost his mother and has come to stay with Tara, his father's cousin. Tara has lost her best friend Nysa. Tara started teaching music which helped her to cope with the loss and also she use to imagine a figure with whom she use to talk which helped her in her grief.
This graphic novel explores death, grief, friendships, art, music. It captures how a person changes and what they go through when they lose a loved one. It also talks about after death, where a person goes.
After looking at the blurb and cover i had huge expectations from the book but i just didn't enjoy this one. There wasnt any engaging element in it. I know its on a serious topic about loss and grief but still i just couldn't find it engaging. The ending also i found it okayish. It seemed very incomplete. I had thought it would throw more light on how art and music is actually helping the characters....and that imaginative voice was big turn off for me. It was an okayish read for me
May 6, 2024
Starry Starry Night by Nandita Basu is a graphic novel which revolves around the themes of loss, friendship, death and music. Kunal's mother passes away and he is being sent to a boarding school in the hills. His father's cousin, Tara welcomes him to her place till he is able to stay in the hostel. Tara teaches a special music programme in the same school as Kunal's. Tara and Kunal begin on a relatively awkward note.
Tara does not seem to be like the rest and that is because she is not. Tara sees an enigmatic figure everywhere, the figure commonly known as death. Surprising, isn’t it? Tara and Kunal both have things in common which are associated with their past.
My most favourite part of the book were the conversations between death and Tara. They were deep and made me pause over for a moment and wonder about life and our loved ones. The illustrations portrayed a sense of quietude about the characters which to me was how life in their heads was happening much faster and deeper than their actual lives. I liked the nonchalance between the characters in beginning of the novel. However, I found this graphic novel to be based on a pretty interesting topic but it lacked cohesiveness all together. I was not a fan of how the book was concluded as well. The theme had so much more potential to it. There were many distractions from the primary storyline which led me to partially feel disinterested in the book. Also, the dialogue boxes somehow seemed to mess with the conversations due to their positioning or perhaps crowding. In terms of illustrations, I couldn’t keep up with the past of the characters because they were majorly different in structure and appearance along with being black and white.
Irrespective of my experience, I would be eagerly willing to try more graphic novels by Nandita Basu.
Tara does not seem to be like the rest and that is because she is not. Tara sees an enigmatic figure everywhere, the figure commonly known as death. Surprising, isn’t it? Tara and Kunal both have things in common which are associated with their past.
My most favourite part of the book were the conversations between death and Tara. They were deep and made me pause over for a moment and wonder about life and our loved ones. The illustrations portrayed a sense of quietude about the characters which to me was how life in their heads was happening much faster and deeper than their actual lives. I liked the nonchalance between the characters in beginning of the novel. However, I found this graphic novel to be based on a pretty interesting topic but it lacked cohesiveness all together. I was not a fan of how the book was concluded as well. The theme had so much more potential to it. There were many distractions from the primary storyline which led me to partially feel disinterested in the book. Also, the dialogue boxes somehow seemed to mess with the conversations due to their positioning or perhaps crowding. In terms of illustrations, I couldn’t keep up with the past of the characters because they were majorly different in structure and appearance along with being black and white.
Irrespective of my experience, I would be eagerly willing to try more graphic novels by Nandita Basu.
September 18, 2025
The art style, the story, and the setting reminded me of my childhood for some reason. Read this in one sitting, alone, in the library. Loved every second of it, cried a little too. I miss home.
December 18, 2023
"Starry Starry Night" is a poignant tale that delicately weaves the threads of love, loss, and healing into a captivating narrative. The story follows Kunal, a young boy coping with the loss of his mother, as he finds solace in the enigmatic Tara, who grapples with her own grief through music. Their intertwined lives form a poignant exploration of how friendship, art, and the healing power of music can mend the deepest wounds. Through beautifully crafted prose, the author navigates the complexities of loss, showcasing the transformative nature of human connection amidst tragedy. This story is a touching testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the profound ways in which art can illuminate our darkest moments.
December 23, 2023
A graphic novel dealing with the loss, death, and other aspects of a child and a grown-up woman.
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