Copyright Date:
2022
Edition Date:
2022
Release Date:
09/13/22
Pages:
151 pages
ISBN:
1-7284-0166-6
ISBN 13:
978-1-7284-0166-9
Dewey:
Fic
LCCN:
2021047094
Dimensions:
24 cm
Language:
English
Reviews:
School Library Journal
(Thu Sep 01 00:00:00 CDT 2022)
Gr 8 Up —Szamosi's debut follows Olive, who spends her first summer after high school as a digital tech intern at a fashion magazine. She is supported along the way by her mom, BFF Toni, maybe-not-real internet crush, "Guy," and internship supervisor, Giorgio. Readers observe Olive as she realizes how far removed from reality digitally edited photos are. Over the summer, she re-examines her own relationships with her body and with social media, crescendoing with the discovery of the (very real) all-virtual model phenomenon. With touches of surrealism, the book's chunky, blocky, black-and-white art portrays the world as Olive sees it, instead of literally. The lack of color makes it difficult to portray a variety of skin tones, but Szamosi does include a variety of body shapes. BFF Toni, who is trans, brings more diversity to the story. Olive's story will resonate not just with readers struggling with their body image, but also with any teen dealing with a new job or internship. It also functions as a digital and social media 101 for teens—the book makes readers think critically about the messages media sends and the control young people have over their responses. Yet it never feels like a lecture watching Olive navigate these issues. VERDICT Entertaining and thought-provoking. Fans of all ages who appreciate The Devil Wears Prada and the fashion/modeling industry will also appreciate this quick read.—Tammy Ivins
One of the most memorable debut graphic novels in recent years.IGN
Olive is spending the summer before art school at a coveted internship, helping one of the fashion industry's elite digital-imaging specialists. After a glamourous New York photoshoot, she learns that taking pictures is only the first step. She discovers the "violent verbs" (cut, crop, slice, lasso) of image retouching software and the secrets behind "virtual models."
Soon Olive is fixating on her own appearance and pondering the ethics of her work behind the scenes. As college gets closer, she'll try to get out of her own head, attempt to quit the Internet, and finally embrace image-making on her own terms. Unretouchable is a window into the little-known, hugely influential world of fashion photography and a tribute to self-acceptance.
A tribute to self-acceptance.AIPT
Unretouchable perfectly utilizes the form to talk about the consequences of images and how they can be manipulated.SCREENRANT