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Ash's Cabin
Ash has always felt alone.
Adults ignore the climate crisis. Other kids Ash’s age are more interested in pop stars and popularity contests than in fighting for change. Even Ash’s family seems to be sleepwalking through life.
The only person who ever seemed to get Ash was their Grandpa Edwin. Before he died, he used to talk about building a secret cabin, deep in the California wilderness. Did he ever build it? What if it’s still there, waiting for him to come back…or for Ash to find it? To Ash, that maybe-mythical cabin is starting to feel like the perfect place for a fresh start and an escape from the miserable feeling of alienation that haunts their daily life.
But making the wilds your home isn’t easy. And as much as Ash wants to be alone…can they really be happy alone? Can they survive alone?
From New York Times–bestselling author and illustrator Jen Wang comes a singularly affecting story about self-discovery, self-reliance, and the choice to live when it feels like you have no place in the world.
Adults ignore the climate crisis. Other kids Ash’s age are more interested in pop stars and popularity contests than in fighting for change. Even Ash’s family seems to be sleepwalking through life.
The only person who ever seemed to get Ash was their Grandpa Edwin. Before he died, he used to talk about building a secret cabin, deep in the California wilderness. Did he ever build it? What if it’s still there, waiting for him to come back…or for Ash to find it? To Ash, that maybe-mythical cabin is starting to feel like the perfect place for a fresh start and an escape from the miserable feeling of alienation that haunts their daily life.
But making the wilds your home isn’t easy. And as much as Ash wants to be alone…can they really be happy alone? Can they survive alone?
From New York Times–bestselling author and illustrator Jen Wang comes a singularly affecting story about self-discovery, self-reliance, and the choice to live when it feels like you have no place in the world.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 13, 2024
31 people are currently reading
6146 people want to read
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August 22, 2024
Could you survive on your own in the forest? I’d like to think I could, but let’s be real, I am a big fan of running water and having other people around when I want them to be. But for Ash, life in the wild might be the best chance to truly embrace who they are and prove to themselves that they are valid. A trans coming-of-age tale amidst wilderness survival while chasing your roots drives the moving plot of Jen Wang’s gorgeously illustrated Ash’s Cabin. Frustrated by familial resistance to their new name and identity and a lack of agency to protect the planet in the face of procedures and apathy, Ash is entrusted to skip a family trip to say goodbye to their vacation cabin as long as they have the family dog and cousin with them. But deep in the woods might be a long lost cabin their grandfather would escape to and Ash plans to call it home. Heartfelt and brought to life through mesmerizing watercolor art, Ash’s Cabin is a riveting graphic novel of wilderness, family and identity exploration.
Having been a huge fan of The Prince and the Dressmaker, I knew I needed to read this. This one hits hard and is full of a lot of creative and unique storytelling. I loved the way this is written much like a graphic memoir, existing as Ash’s diary full of his thoughts and plans that seamlessly seeps into an outer perspective of storytelling. I really loved all the overhead art of their organization and plans that nudged some real Wes Anderson vibes:
This book makes you really feel for Ash, who is bravely taking first steps into a trans identity and feels very alone in the world. The use of blacked out words in the dialogue that imply when a character would deadname them was a well crafted technique that shows the carelessness of others but also how jarring it is for Ash. Though at least we have Chase, the amazing dog companion, to keep Ash secure:
I also really liked the juxtaposition of Ash with the grandfather, both feeling a bit lost and misunderstood in the world and looking for a quiet corner to call their own. Ash’s adventure really keeps the plot moving, surviving the elements and the threat of wild animals while dodging the helicopters always looking for them. Then there is the cabin that requires a LOT of work to fix up:
There is a really cool survival element to this one that reminded me a lot of why I enjoyed books like Gary Paulson’s Hatchet as a kid. Moving and gorgeously illustrated, Ash’s Cabin is a lovely little book for of hardship, heart, and the determination to make one’s own way in a world that resists them. A marvelous little read and a perfect one to have kept me company while camping this past weekend.
4.5/5
Having been a huge fan of The Prince and the Dressmaker, I knew I needed to read this. This one hits hard and is full of a lot of creative and unique storytelling. I loved the way this is written much like a graphic memoir, existing as Ash’s diary full of his thoughts and plans that seamlessly seeps into an outer perspective of storytelling. I really loved all the overhead art of their organization and plans that nudged some real Wes Anderson vibes:
This book makes you really feel for Ash, who is bravely taking first steps into a trans identity and feels very alone in the world. The use of blacked out words in the dialogue that imply when a character would deadname them was a well crafted technique that shows the carelessness of others but also how jarring it is for Ash. Though at least we have Chase, the amazing dog companion, to keep Ash secure:
I also really liked the juxtaposition of Ash with the grandfather, both feeling a bit lost and misunderstood in the world and looking for a quiet corner to call their own. Ash’s adventure really keeps the plot moving, surviving the elements and the threat of wild animals while dodging the helicopters always looking for them. Then there is the cabin that requires a LOT of work to fix up:
There is a really cool survival element to this one that reminded me a lot of why I enjoyed books like Gary Paulson’s Hatchet as a kid. Moving and gorgeously illustrated, Ash’s Cabin is a lovely little book for of hardship, heart, and the determination to make one’s own way in a world that resists them. A marvelous little read and a perfect one to have kept me company while camping this past weekend.
4.5/5
September 18, 2024
High schooler Ash feels misunderstood by their family and the world, their need for quiet, their passion for the environment, and their developing identity all overlooked in the loud busyness of life. While the rest of the family plans a summer vacation to Disneyland, Ash plans their own escape: heading up into the hills of the family ranch near Mount Shasta to find the cabin where their late grandfather lived close to the land. This story is so elegantly told and elegantly drawn, with large amounts of white space on the pages balancing the delicate warm-toned watercolor panels. I've been a fan of Jen Wang's comics for over a decade and I'm so impressed how each one is so different from, but equally as rich and wonderful, as the last!
December 13, 2024
What a heartbreaking yet beautiful graphic novel. Jen Wang does it again by beautifully capturing not only the importance of conservation and respect towards the environment, but also the power of community. Sometimes isolation isn’t the answer to one’s problem and it may just take being seen to understand that. Ash’s whole development as a character was done so well, so effortlessly that a reader can’t help but to respect Wang’s talent. With some additional resources listed in the back, this is a young adult graphic novel that is sure to capture audiences.
November 17, 2025
Esta leitura fez-me lembrar do livro O lado selvagem. Um miúdo que não se sentia compreendido e que queria um pouco de solidão, resolve empreender uma aventura em busca de uma cabana secreta que o seu avô paterno construiu na floresta.
A diferença do Ash para o Chris é que o primeiro leu livros sobre plantas para as poder identificar e saber quais eram comestíveis, viu tutoriais sobre como montar uma tenda, montar armadilhas para caçar, fazer fogo e outras coisas que são importantes para quem quer viver uma vida nos bosques. Claro que o Ash fez isto no tempo da internet, só aí já tinha uma vantagem. E o Ash também é uma personagem, não uma pessoa real.
A aventura do Ash e do seu cão, Chase, leva-os a passar fome, sede, frio, mas conseguem ultrapassar as dificuldades e viver uns tempos em solitude. Com esta jornada o Ash ordena as suas ideias e entende melhor o mundo e a natureza.
A diferença do Ash para o Chris é que o primeiro leu livros sobre plantas para as poder identificar e saber quais eram comestíveis, viu tutoriais sobre como montar uma tenda, montar armadilhas para caçar, fazer fogo e outras coisas que são importantes para quem quer viver uma vida nos bosques. Claro que o Ash fez isto no tempo da internet, só aí já tinha uma vantagem. E o Ash também é uma personagem, não uma pessoa real.
A aventura do Ash e do seu cão, Chase, leva-os a passar fome, sede, frio, mas conseguem ultrapassar as dificuldades e viver uns tempos em solitude. Com esta jornada o Ash ordena as suas ideias e entende melhor o mundo e a natureza.
August 26, 2024
Two stars for the concept and artwork, but oh boy did this make me angry.
Ash is feeling alone and misunderstood by their family after changing their name (she/her pronouns are used until the ending where Ash says they prefer they/them, so I’m going they/them) and feeling like nobody understand their climate anxiety. The only person who ever got it was their late grandfather, who also possibly left behind a cabin in the California wilderness. Ash decides to find that cabin alongside their dog Chase and live there forever, so they study up and save money to buy the essentials for wilderness survival and head off.
This comes out so cleanly at the end (and realistically, also during the wilderness phase) and it’s infuriating. Ash is completely selfish which is realistic of a 16 year old but there is no consequence for them just disappearing for 48 days. 48 days! They magically go from eating a poisonous plant and starving themselves and their dog to learning how to build an entire cabin (with very nice Lincoln log looking wood, may I add) and keep themselves and their dog alive after woefully under packing and overestimating themselves. They also get help from a very kind stranger but still…unbelievable. Then their dog gets attacked by a bear trying to protect them, has gashes from bear claws and a broken leg, and they hear rescuers coming to find them and they just DUMP THE DOG?! Assuming the dog will be found? Which he isn’t, he comes back to Ash because of course he does! Selfish as fuck. Also, there was zero search party that close to their families ranch for 48 days until a wildfire? Nobody cares until then? The helicopters go by only once a week? COME ON! Then they just go back to life and we are transported to Thanksgiving like no big deal. No conversation with parents aside from one small comment. Insane. Absurd. Awful. Hate it. Also nobody is 13 weeks pregnant and gives birth to a perfectly fine healthy baby 48 days later. That’s like 20 weeks. I’m so mad about all of this lololol
Ash is feeling alone and misunderstood by their family after changing their name (she/her pronouns are used until the ending where Ash says they prefer they/them, so I’m going they/them) and feeling like nobody understand their climate anxiety. The only person who ever got it was their late grandfather, who also possibly left behind a cabin in the California wilderness. Ash decides to find that cabin alongside their dog Chase and live there forever, so they study up and save money to buy the essentials for wilderness survival and head off.
This comes out so cleanly at the end (and realistically, also during the wilderness phase) and it’s infuriating. Ash is completely selfish which is realistic of a 16 year old but there is no consequence for them just disappearing for 48 days. 48 days! They magically go from eating a poisonous plant and starving themselves and their dog to learning how to build an entire cabin (with very nice Lincoln log looking wood, may I add) and keep themselves and their dog alive after woefully under packing and overestimating themselves. They also get help from a very kind stranger but still…unbelievable. Then their dog gets attacked by a bear trying to protect them, has gashes from bear claws and a broken leg, and they hear rescuers coming to find them and they just DUMP THE DOG?! Assuming the dog will be found? Which he isn’t, he comes back to Ash because of course he does! Selfish as fuck. Also, there was zero search party that close to their families ranch for 48 days until a wildfire? Nobody cares until then? The helicopters go by only once a week? COME ON! Then they just go back to life and we are transported to Thanksgiving like no big deal. No conversation with parents aside from one small comment. Insane. Absurd. Awful. Hate it. Also nobody is 13 weeks pregnant and gives birth to a perfectly fine healthy baby 48 days later. That’s like 20 weeks. I’m so mad about all of this lololol
June 24, 2025
I SOBBED SO HARD & THIS MADE ME LOVE MY DOG EVEN MORE.
there are also discussions about identity, the environment, and surviving in the wild. I love Jen Wang's work so much.
there are also discussions about identity, the environment, and surviving in the wild. I love Jen Wang's work so much.
August 30, 2024
queer hatchet queer hatchet queer hatchet
as someone who was utterly obsessed with books in the vein of hatchet, this like spoke DIRECTLY to little me. except little me, while also nonbinary, did NOT have the commitment to do all the survivalist research hahaha (i also didn't have a cool sporty dog best friend, rip). i think this is going to be a really important one for all the lonely nonbinary kids out there who feel most at home in the woods though, and that's really cool to see. shoutout jen wang, i wish this had existed when i was a kid
as someone who was utterly obsessed with books in the vein of hatchet, this like spoke DIRECTLY to little me. except little me, while also nonbinary, did NOT have the commitment to do all the survivalist research hahaha (i also didn't have a cool sporty dog best friend, rip). i think this is going to be a really important one for all the lonely nonbinary kids out there who feel most at home in the woods though, and that's really cool to see. shoutout jen wang, i wish this had existed when i was a kid
November 19, 2024
My Side of the Mountain gets a Generation Z update as a fifteen-year-old nonbinary, Chinese American runaway is determined to live off the land in order to escape the stress and frustration of their family life and modern society. Accompanied by their pet dog, Ash hikes into the Shasta-Trinity National Forest in northern California where their late grandfather -- a legendary loner -- is rumored to have built an illegal, secret cabin and begins to the apply the survival methods they have learned from internet videos.
In trying to survive can Ash learn who they are and how to live? Things get pretty grim as nature throws a constant stream of challenges their way.
It's a pretty good read, but I had to fight a constant fatherly impulse to give Ash the grounding of their life.
In trying to survive can Ash learn who they are and how to live? Things get pretty grim as nature throws a constant stream of challenges their way.
It's a pretty good read, but I had to fight a constant fatherly impulse to give Ash the grounding of their life.
December 29, 2024
I hated this.
October 16, 2023
Wow, this was totally devastating and absolutely beautiful--very much a good one for kids who like survival stories. I think some of the time and place transitions could be a little clearer, but that's my only gripe.
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January 15, 2025
Ash wants to get away. The world is just too much...and they dream of their grandpa's mysterious cabin in the mountains of northern California, hidden somewhere on public land. They want to live on the land, away from everyone and everything, and when they get the chance, they go for it, leaving the world behind. Except...living outside is a lot harder than they expected.
Oh this book.
This book is so good.
It's like a lovely counterpoint and sorta-sequel to My Side of the Mountain, with commentary on Indigenous ways of being and living with the land instead of on it. And the realities of living on the land instead of romanticizing it, how difficult things are when you are a person alone. How quickly hunger and thirst take over, and how difficult it is when you are also providing for your dog, too. And how quickly things can go from okay to really, really bad.
Chase was the best boy.
Anywho, I enjoyed this. It's more of a somber and melancholy work, reflective and introspective. Ash is a nonbinary child who is constantly misgendered and deadnamed by their well-meaning but clueless parents, they're grieving the death of their grandpa, and they feel like their efforts at conservation and their fear for climate change is going unheard and unacknowledged by everyone and everything around them. Instead of increasing their screams, they withdraw, first into themselves, and then from society. There's a lovely ending exploring consequences and reintegration and acceptance (and a very, very harrowing panel that had me in tears—don't worry, the dog lives).
Oh this book.
This book is so good.
It's like a lovely counterpoint and sorta-sequel to My Side of the Mountain, with commentary on Indigenous ways of being and living with the land instead of on it. And the realities of living on the land instead of romanticizing it, how difficult things are when you are a person alone. How quickly hunger and thirst take over, and how difficult it is when you are also providing for your dog, too. And how quickly things can go from okay to really, really bad.
Chase was the best boy.
Anywho, I enjoyed this. It's more of a somber and melancholy work, reflective and introspective. Ash is a nonbinary child who is constantly misgendered and deadnamed by their well-meaning but clueless parents, they're grieving the death of their grandpa, and they feel like their efforts at conservation and their fear for climate change is going unheard and unacknowledged by everyone and everything around them. Instead of increasing their screams, they withdraw, first into themselves, and then from society. There's a lovely ending exploring consequences and reintegration and acceptance (and a very, very harrowing panel that had me in tears—don't worry, the dog lives).
December 30, 2024
Ash is sixteen and is changing some things about themself: new hair and a new name. Their parents are respecting the name change, but use their dead name in private.
Ash’s family spends their summers in Northern California at their grandfather’s home. But ever since he died, Ash’s uncle isn’t sure he wants to keep the home and is thinking of selling it. Ash is determined to spend one last summer exploring the woods and finding his grandfather’s secret cabin.
Ash convinces their parents to allow them to visit the place once last time instead of joining their family at Disney.
What unfolds is a journey of survival - both literal and metaphorical. Ash thinks they want to isolate from the world because no one gets them, but once they are alone, they realize surviving is easy , what’s harder is “feeling peace in your heart.”
This is a story that honors the complex emotions of being a teenager and growing into your personhood. I see it all the time as a teacher.
I loved the illustrations and I love Ash’s dog Chase and the connection the two have together.
Ash’s family spends their summers in Northern California at their grandfather’s home. But ever since he died, Ash’s uncle isn’t sure he wants to keep the home and is thinking of selling it. Ash is determined to spend one last summer exploring the woods and finding his grandfather’s secret cabin.
Ash convinces their parents to allow them to visit the place once last time instead of joining their family at Disney.
What unfolds is a journey of survival - both literal and metaphorical. Ash thinks they want to isolate from the world because no one gets them, but once they are alone, they realize surviving is easy , what’s harder is “feeling peace in your heart.”
This is a story that honors the complex emotions of being a teenager and growing into your personhood. I see it all the time as a teacher.
I loved the illustrations and I love Ash’s dog Chase and the connection the two have together.
August 7, 2024
There's a lot to love about this. The art work is absolutely beautiful, from the illustrations to the use of colour. And I loved the format of journal pages.
I had some trouble understanding Ash's motivations though, mainly because I wouldn't survive a day out in the woods and I can't comprehend why you would want to. I understood Ash wanting to find their grandad's cabin, but after they found it, the story quickly went downhill for me as it just all seemed very rosecoloured and unlikely.
The book finally lost me when Ash coming back home felt really glossed over. Everyone seemed to get over the whole situation very easily. I would have wanted a meaningful conversation between Ash and their family, at the very least.
I had some trouble understanding Ash's motivations though, mainly because I wouldn't survive a day out in the woods and I can't comprehend why you would want to. I understood Ash wanting to find their grandad's cabin, but after they found it, the story quickly went downhill for me as it just all seemed very rosecoloured and unlikely.
The book finally lost me when Ash coming back home felt really glossed over. Everyone seemed to get over the whole situation very easily. I would have wanted a meaningful conversation between Ash and their family, at the very least.
January 9, 2025
This was an interesting one.
I am a huge fan of Jen Wang's work and even had the great pleasure of meeting her at a book conference a few years ago. What I appreciate most about her work is her tackling the genuinely hard stuff young adults come up against in the world that isn't necessarily an issue of national importance. Despite my intense love for The Prince and the Dressmaker its Stargazing that really hit me in the feels when it came out. There is something so deep and yet relatable in a story about friendship rocked by the casual cruelty of one girl to another. I've done things like that, I've been cruel and uncaring and known I was doing it. I've carried that kind of guilt and regret.
"Ash's Cabin" achieves that same kind of impact. Teenage Ash is at a crossroads. Isolated and angry, battling gender dysphoria and riddled with the self centeredness every young adult you've ever met carry's through the world they simply do not know where they fit. When the opportunity arises to spend a last few days at a soon to be sold family vacation spot they jump at the chance to run away entirely and start a new life alone in the wilderness.
The book is partly a "how to" guide on literally surviving in the wilderness and partly a testament to the horribly isolating experience being a young person can be. Ash is a truly fascinating character in all their wild selfishness and erratic shifts between rage, despair and joy. But those constantly shifting emotional hurricanes are balanced by Ash's genuine capabilities as a survivalist, their love for nature and their deep connection to their beloved dog. You get why they want to be out there in the wild, away from people, just to have the quiet and the ability to live exactly as they want to. The reader knows this new reality isn't tenable but its hard not to wish, at least a little, that Ash can stay where they finally feel some peace.
I handed this off to the sixteen year old right after I finished as they are also quite a fan of Ms. Wang and couldn't help but smile at his reaction, he wasn't overly impressed with Ash's indifference to how frightened their parents were nor their lack of remorse for the incredible amount of effort (and I'd assume cost) that went in to trying to track them down. Mind you this is the same kid that will literally ask his snuggled up in bed parents for "help" microwaving a poppy seed roll at 11:00 pm.
I highly recommend this to any fan of Wang's and to anyone looking for a YA read that might spark some interesting conversations with your own wildly changeable young person.
I am a huge fan of Jen Wang's work and even had the great pleasure of meeting her at a book conference a few years ago. What I appreciate most about her work is her tackling the genuinely hard stuff young adults come up against in the world that isn't necessarily an issue of national importance. Despite my intense love for The Prince and the Dressmaker its Stargazing that really hit me in the feels when it came out. There is something so deep and yet relatable in a story about friendship rocked by the casual cruelty of one girl to another. I've done things like that, I've been cruel and uncaring and known I was doing it. I've carried that kind of guilt and regret.
"Ash's Cabin" achieves that same kind of impact. Teenage Ash is at a crossroads. Isolated and angry, battling gender dysphoria and riddled with the self centeredness every young adult you've ever met carry's through the world they simply do not know where they fit. When the opportunity arises to spend a last few days at a soon to be sold family vacation spot they jump at the chance to run away entirely and start a new life alone in the wilderness.
The book is partly a "how to" guide on literally surviving in the wilderness and partly a testament to the horribly isolating experience being a young person can be. Ash is a truly fascinating character in all their wild selfishness and erratic shifts between rage, despair and joy. But those constantly shifting emotional hurricanes are balanced by Ash's genuine capabilities as a survivalist, their love for nature and their deep connection to their beloved dog. You get why they want to be out there in the wild, away from people, just to have the quiet and the ability to live exactly as they want to. The reader knows this new reality isn't tenable but its hard not to wish, at least a little, that Ash can stay where they finally feel some peace.
I handed this off to the sixteen year old right after I finished as they are also quite a fan of Ms. Wang and couldn't help but smile at his reaction, he wasn't overly impressed with Ash's indifference to how frightened their parents were nor their lack of remorse for the incredible amount of effort (and I'd assume cost) that went in to trying to track them down. Mind you this is the same kid that will literally ask his snuggled up in bed parents for "help" microwaving a poppy seed roll at 11:00 pm.
I highly recommend this to any fan of Wang's and to anyone looking for a YA read that might spark some interesting conversations with your own wildly changeable young person.
August 23, 2024
Not the best from this author, in my personal records. Ash felt like a bit of a brat at times, particularly once they are living in the woods and the incident with the dog happened... you really lost me there, pal.
Though the story has a lot of potential, particularly when it comes to the main character's background and their quest to find their own self, even though that's very much disguised as a trip back to nature and the essential principles of life, the actual development of ideas felt a little bit tone-deaf, especially in that clean resolution that doesn't really let you see how the family deals with trauma.
I did love the art, that's for sure, and the whole journal concept does work a treat... but, overall, this was a bit angsty teenagy for me, and I think this graphic novel would fit better in the YA section of the library, not the adult one.
Though the story has a lot of potential, particularly when it comes to the main character's background and their quest to find their own self, even though that's very much disguised as a trip back to nature and the essential principles of life, the actual development of ideas felt a little bit tone-deaf, especially in that clean resolution that doesn't really let you see how the family deals with trauma.
I did love the art, that's for sure, and the whole journal concept does work a treat... but, overall, this was a bit angsty teenagy for me, and I think this graphic novel would fit better in the YA section of the library, not the adult one.
December 31, 2024
Reading a graphic novel on new years eve to hit a perfect number of books for the year has emotionally burned me twice now, this was so good. All about your place in nature and freedom and loneliness and discovery
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July 28, 2024Is this my favorite graphic novel of the year? YES, YES IT IS.
I really liked both Stargazing and The Prince & the Dressmaker, but Jen Wang honestly knocked it out of the park with this one. 10/10.
ASH'S CABIN comes out in a few weeks and I'd highly recommend it for any teen who loves outdoor survival stories, especially if they're looking for queer rep as well.
(Seriously, I'm OBSESSED.)
Thanks for bumping it up on my tbr, @kitonlit 🐻🌲.
I really liked both Stargazing and The Prince & the Dressmaker, but Jen Wang honestly knocked it out of the park with this one. 10/10.
ASH'S CABIN comes out in a few weeks and I'd highly recommend it for any teen who loves outdoor survival stories, especially if they're looking for queer rep as well.
(Seriously, I'm OBSESSED.)
Thanks for bumping it up on my tbr, @kitonlit 🐻🌲.
February 7, 2025
I have feelings about this book. As an outdoor enthusiast I loved the idea of the survivalist, communing with nature. I thought the art was beautiful. As a parent, I hated this book. Our main character ran away from home and lived alone in the woods while their parents searched and probably assumed they were dead. An adult came across them in the woods alone and doesn’t report it but supports it! When Ash finally goes home, the book doesn’t address these issues at all. I just felt like overall it showed this as a positive way to deal with feelings, which it isn’t. Ash’s parents didn’t completely understand what Ash was going through, but they were trying. We need more books that model healthy ways to cope and healthy negotiations with parents rather than just running away from it.
December 3, 2024
why we gotta bring the dog into it??!
November 25, 2024
Il est genre 4h du mat, je sais pas si c’est la fatigue ou quoi mais j’ai lâché ma p’tite larme (non je déconne j’ai le nez qui coule et tout, j’ai adoré)
C’était super agréable à lire et doux, je recommande à fond autant pour ados que pour jeunes adultes. C’est une bonne grosse bd, les dessins sont magnifiques, franchement : foncez !
PS : mon patron avait dit à un de mes collègue « Vincent faut qu’il lise ça ça va lui plaire » je crois qu’ils m’ont trop cerné (mais c’est comme ça que j’ai découvert que Jen Wang avait sortit une nouvelle bd ??)
i mean, coming of age queer dans la forêt sur fond d’éco anxiété mais sign me up en fait
Littéralement le genre de bd que j’aurais voulu lire petit.
PPS : Léa Rivière a dit
« Je suis pas trans dans la forêt.
Dans la forêt,
je suis une chose qui devient d’autres choses, qui meurt
qui parfois chante un peu, pense un peu, parfois danse, parfois pleure, parfois dort.
Je n’ai rien à prouver aux politiques sylvestres.
On transitionne ensemble.
[…] Je suis trans avec toi tant que t’es pas à la hauteur de l’amitié des arbres.
Et j’ai besoin de toi dans ma forêt. »
C’était super agréable à lire et doux, je recommande à fond autant pour ados que pour jeunes adultes. C’est une bonne grosse bd, les dessins sont magnifiques, franchement : foncez !
PS : mon patron avait dit à un de mes collègue « Vincent faut qu’il lise ça ça va lui plaire » je crois qu’ils m’ont trop cerné (mais c’est comme ça que j’ai découvert que Jen Wang avait sortit une nouvelle bd ??)
i mean, coming of age queer dans la forêt sur fond d’éco anxiété mais sign me up en fait
Littéralement le genre de bd que j’aurais voulu lire petit.
PPS : Léa Rivière a dit
« Je suis pas trans dans la forêt.
Dans la forêt,
je suis une chose qui devient d’autres choses, qui meurt
qui parfois chante un peu, pense un peu, parfois danse, parfois pleure, parfois dort.
Je n’ai rien à prouver aux politiques sylvestres.
On transitionne ensemble.
[…] Je suis trans avec toi tant que t’es pas à la hauteur de l’amitié des arbres.
Et j’ai besoin de toi dans ma forêt. »
June 22, 2025
cried today finishing this book. what a beautiful and thoughtful reimagining of the wilderness survival genre that was such a staple of my classroom libraries growing up.
protect trans kids, protect weird kids, protect kids who haven’t learned to feel disillusioned and numb to injustice, protect kids who are feeling lonely and outcast.
protect trans kids, protect weird kids, protect kids who haven’t learned to feel disillusioned and numb to injustice, protect kids who are feeling lonely and outcast.
April 21, 2024
3.5 stars--High schooler Ash is struggling to find a place in life. They feel separate from everyone—their parents, extended family, and the other students at school. Ash is deeply concerned about climate change while their classmates seem to be living on another planet entirely.
Ash becomes convinced that the only solution is to create a life for themselves in the California wilderness, removed from civilization entirely—their ever-loyal dog Chase as their only company. However, living a self-sufficient life in the woods is more difficult, and danger-fraught, than Ash had ever anticipated.
The illustrations merit a full 5 stars—they are gorgeous! The emotive expressions alone bring to mind classic Disney animation.
Further thoughts (Spoiler alert): I agree with other reviewers who pointed out that Ash did Chase--the only creature who supports and loves them unconditionally in the first part of the book--a major dirty. Ash had the opportunity to bring Chase to immediate help, but they did not, choosing instead to abandon the seriously-injured, non-ambulatory dog by the roadside in a heartrending scene. Things resolve themselves, but that was not okay, Ash.
As part of Ash’s plan to live off the land, they also educate themselves on collecting wild plants, as well as killing wild animals, including with the use of snares.
Snares are cruel, especially when larger or non-target species are caught. It is one thing in situations where people are truly stranded in the wilderness, living in a pre-developed era or country, etc., and quite another when we have a choice. We don’t gain self-esteem, strength, etc., through causing suffering to other sentient beings who are totally uncomprehending of our personal journeys. Life in the wild is difficult enough on this rapidly-changing planet without adding humans’ traps, snares, bullets, and arrows into the mix.
ASH’S CABIN is a beautifully-illustrated survival story that showcases the growth and emotional maturation of its young main character. The final part of the book, in which Ash begins to find their people and make connections, is hopeful and reassuring to young readers who may be experiencing similar feelings of loss and estrangement.
Ash becomes convinced that the only solution is to create a life for themselves in the California wilderness, removed from civilization entirely—their ever-loyal dog Chase as their only company. However, living a self-sufficient life in the woods is more difficult, and danger-fraught, than Ash had ever anticipated.
The illustrations merit a full 5 stars—they are gorgeous! The emotive expressions alone bring to mind classic Disney animation.
Further thoughts (Spoiler alert): I agree with other reviewers who pointed out that Ash did Chase--the only creature who supports and loves them unconditionally in the first part of the book--a major dirty. Ash had the opportunity to bring Chase to immediate help, but they did not, choosing instead to abandon the seriously-injured, non-ambulatory dog by the roadside in a heartrending scene. Things resolve themselves, but that was not okay, Ash.
As part of Ash’s plan to live off the land, they also educate themselves on collecting wild plants, as well as killing wild animals, including with the use of snares.
Snares are cruel, especially when larger or non-target species are caught. It is one thing in situations where people are truly stranded in the wilderness, living in a pre-developed era or country, etc., and quite another when we have a choice. We don’t gain self-esteem, strength, etc., through causing suffering to other sentient beings who are totally uncomprehending of our personal journeys. Life in the wild is difficult enough on this rapidly-changing planet without adding humans’ traps, snares, bullets, and arrows into the mix.
ASH’S CABIN is a beautifully-illustrated survival story that showcases the growth and emotional maturation of its young main character. The final part of the book, in which Ash begins to find their people and make connections, is hopeful and reassuring to young readers who may be experiencing similar feelings of loss and estrangement.
March 5, 2025
It was half-tempting to put the "local-interest" tag on this. It's set in northern California, which is over a state away from my home at the southern tip of the Salish Sea, but I've spent some time in that region, including a semester in southern Oregon back in college, and this all felt very familiar.
As I read this, I felt dual lenses battling inside me.
On the one hand, I really like the outdoors. I'm not a camper, so I'd never actually do this, but I do love walking in the woods, and reading about the logistics of travel and survival. It was fun to imagine how the experience would feel.
On the other hand, I'm now a parent of a teenager who has it in their head that after high school, they are going to build a wooden boat and sail around the world, a la "One Piece" pirates. Imagining my kid getting an idea like this in their head and setting off into the wilderness without informing their parents makes me... a bit itchy.
All that said, I loved the practical lens of this book. It's not quite a how-to guide, but there are lots of practical tips, challenges, packing lists, maps, and other details that many survival tales leave out.
Wang is a dependable creator in the best way possible. Their graphic novel game is intensely good.
This is a good story, well told. Framed loosely as a diary/journal, there's more captioning/text on the page than some of Wang's work. The illustrations match the muted palette and style of the cover. Appreciated the ingrained queer rep.
I did give it to my kid to read after I read it, but we haven't talked about whether they read it. I don't think they're planning a new, very dangerous, adventure...
As I read this, I felt dual lenses battling inside me.
On the one hand, I really like the outdoors. I'm not a camper, so I'd never actually do this, but I do love walking in the woods, and reading about the logistics of travel and survival. It was fun to imagine how the experience would feel.
On the other hand, I'm now a parent of a teenager who has it in their head that after high school, they are going to build a wooden boat and sail around the world, a la "One Piece" pirates. Imagining my kid getting an idea like this in their head and setting off into the wilderness without informing their parents makes me... a bit itchy.
All that said, I loved the practical lens of this book. It's not quite a how-to guide, but there are lots of practical tips, challenges, packing lists, maps, and other details that many survival tales leave out.
Wang is a dependable creator in the best way possible. Their graphic novel game is intensely good.
This is a good story, well told. Framed loosely as a diary/journal, there's more captioning/text on the page than some of Wang's work. The illustrations match the muted palette and style of the cover. Appreciated the ingrained queer rep.
I did give it to my kid to read after I read it, but we haven't talked about whether they read it. I don't think they're planning a new, very dangerous, adventure...
September 24, 2024
Très beau et émouvant, j’avais la gorge toute nouée à la fin 🤍
June 29, 2025
Content warnings: runaway child (Ash goes to live by themself in the woods), injured dog (on page, bear attack).
Rep: Ash (MC) is Chinese-American, and nonbinary. Side Chinese-American characters.
This was beautiful. The artwork, while simplistic, is absolutely stunning. It captures the story so well.
I adored Ash's drive, their character, and the way they were desperate to get away from the noise of people to just be.
Their efforts to live life off the grid, just their dog and themself, were inspiring and wonderful.
There were some great educational pieces in here, too, as well as resources at the back of the book for further education/reading. I especially loved that.
An easy 4 stars from me.
Rep: Ash (MC) is Chinese-American, and nonbinary. Side Chinese-American characters.
This was beautiful. The artwork, while simplistic, is absolutely stunning. It captures the story so well.
I adored Ash's drive, their character, and the way they were desperate to get away from the noise of people to just be.
Their efforts to live life off the grid, just their dog and themself, were inspiring and wonderful.
There were some great educational pieces in here, too, as well as resources at the back of the book for further education/reading. I especially loved that.
An easy 4 stars from me.
November 17, 2025
Uma aventura cuja leitura permitiu que viajasse até ao filme “Into de Wild” (talvez o reveja nos próximos dias).
Duas histórias com o seu quê de semelhanças na medida em que ambas abordam a questão do ser humano se sentir à margem da sociedade e achar que somente sozinho, no refúgio da natureza selvagem, conseguirá sentir-se pleno.
Já dizia José Saramago, “Às vezes é preciso sair da ilha para ver a ilha”.
Duas histórias com o seu quê de semelhanças na medida em que ambas abordam a questão do ser humano se sentir à margem da sociedade e achar que somente sozinho, no refúgio da natureza selvagem, conseguirá sentir-se pleno.
Já dizia José Saramago, “Às vezes é preciso sair da ilha para ver a ilha”.
February 19, 2025
I didn't want this to end. In some ways this reminded me of American Ramble, where somewhere along the way you decide that you just... can.
April 25, 2025
Ugh the urge to leave society and live in the middle of nowhere is so strong right now
November 2, 2025
4.5*+ I enjoy the way Jen Wang plays with genre (and gender), this was a mix between old school survival tales & modern YA, in a graphic novel smash-up with Shonen/Seinen "educative" manga about the natural world (ちちこぐさ, Chichi Kogusa, The Apothecary Diaries...).
Wang made survival look deceptively easy and painfully hard and finds a good balance between too much & too little detail. Her mention of ethnobotany made me think of Robin Wall-Kimmerer's work and voilà in the recs at the end she mentioned Braiding Sweetgrass, though I'd recommend The Serviceberry instead, esp for a younger audience (I haven't read the former but the latter is short and impactful)
What I love is Ash's shift from an individualistic view (loner, no one understands me) to a community building approach (mending fences w family and meeting like-minded individuals) all while retaining their identity.
A couple of quotes:
Ash's cousin's reaction to the fire/loss of home. "It's like someone did a puzzle but put the pieces together all wrong" (that's a statement that could apply to grieving, depression, dysmorphia...)
Ash trying to explain their experience in the woods, "Surviving is the easy part. feeling at peace in your heart is the hard part."
Wang made survival look deceptively easy and painfully hard and finds a good balance between too much & too little detail. Her mention of ethnobotany made me think of Robin Wall-Kimmerer's work and voilà in the recs at the end she mentioned Braiding Sweetgrass, though I'd recommend The Serviceberry instead, esp for a younger audience (I haven't read the former but the latter is short and impactful)
What I love is Ash's shift from an individualistic view (loner, no one understands me) to a community building approach (mending fences w family and meeting like-minded individuals) all while retaining their identity.
A couple of quotes:
Ash's cousin's reaction to the fire/loss of home. "It's like someone did a puzzle but put the pieces together all wrong" (that's a statement that could apply to grieving, depression, dysmorphia...)
Ash trying to explain their experience in the woods, "Surviving is the easy part. feeling at peace in your heart is the hard part."
November 17, 2024
Hmmm not sure whether to admire the protagonist's courage and bravery, or be angry at their selfishness and thoughtlessness. While their emotional struggles feel very real and will resonate with many, they are not the most likeable person so it's hard to feel more positively about this graphic novel overall. What Ash did after Chase got injured didn't sit right with me either.
I liked some things that the book highlighted about environmentalism, plus its themes of family and identity. These were explored well even though the storyline was not the most compelling or my favourite. It's definitely unique though and will appeal to other readers, as with the gorgeous art and beautiful illustrations.
This isn't Jen Wang's best work for sure, but it's still interesting and worth reading whether you are a fan or not. I did finish it in one sitting after all ;)
I liked some things that the book highlighted about environmentalism, plus its themes of family and identity. These were explored well even though the storyline was not the most compelling or my favourite. It's definitely unique though and will appeal to other readers, as with the gorgeous art and beautiful illustrations.
This isn't Jen Wang's best work for sure, but it's still interesting and worth reading whether you are a fan or not. I did finish it in one sitting after all ;)
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