⭐ Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)
A vulnerable manga memoir of mental health, sexuality, and survival. Brave, raw and imperfectly human.
Why I picked My Lesbian Experience with Loneliness
My Lesbian Experience with Loneliness was chosen as I really wanted to include a sapphic read this September. I knew I’d need something I could do in 1-2 reading sessions. This month is a packed month as I am designing my new stationery range. After some research I found this manga which, as you may know, I do like to explore manga.
Initial Impressions & Star Rating
I had high hopes for My Lesbian Experience with Loneliness the artwork drew me in. Though I was aware of the sexual content, which is not something I usually go for. I am not one for spice. Not that I’m opposed to it, more that usually I don’t find them very well done. However, this isn’t the kind of spice that it designed to evoke the normal reaction. It’s purposefully and truthfully awkward. It’s an honest portrayal of a 28-year-old lesbian who suffers from depression and anxiety.
I’m going to start here with my rating. Normally I wait until the end, however, I feel it will make the rest of the review make more sense. My Lesbian Experience with Loneliness receives a three-star rating from me. It is important to note that reading is subjective. Although I use a rating system to increase a more balanced outcome, it is more for consistency of rating. It doesn’t eradicate subjectivity. Therefore, if My Lesbian Experience with Loneliness sounds like something you’d like to explore, you must.
Storytelling & Style
Setting and atmosphere were minimal and mostly non-descript. Her room, a love hotel room, a workplace. Bar the love hotel, the other settings were simply represented through visual storytelling. The location could be England, America, Japan, Germany. The plot was free flowing. Time passed in the blink of a panel and sometimes it was difficult to determine where in the 10 years we were, except when she was at the love hotel.
Characters & Representation
The character, Nagata herself, was wonderfully rendered and represented. This makes sense as the author is the character, and therefore strongly epitomised. The visual representation is bang on, the facial expressions adding a light humour to the, at times, heavy and dark narrative. Though My Lesbian Experience with Loneliness touches on dark themes, the emotional impact was mild. Though, I don’t necessarily view this as a negative, for me I prefer reflectivity within complex or challenging narratives.
The writing was naïve, fluid, somewhere between a stream of consciousness and a diary entry. In someways it is perfect within the context of the narrative, but I found it a bit too simplistic for me. That being said, there is a Freudian exploration of parental sexual attraction, that unless you have read Freud, or explored this theory, it could come across a little incestuous.
Artwork & Visual Impact
The visual storytelling added very little enhancement to the narrative. I thought that the artwork is really nicely done, especially with Nagata’s self-representation. I love the black, white and pink palette. The ending, like any journal entry or life in general, is unresolved.
Safety, Inclusivity & Trigger Warnings
It is important to point out that culturally, Nagata’s story is brave and vulnerable, which does present My Lesbian Experience with Loneliness as an important real-life statement. It explores sexuality and mental health which in any culture is significant, but for a Japanese woman to discuss these so openly is hugely admirable and momentous.
Topics include sex, self-harm, suicidal ideation, sex work
Playlist Companion
A reflective, raw playlist capturing the vulnerability, awkwardness, and resilience in Nagata’s journey. Weaving together Japanese and Western voices.
Final Thoughts
My Lesbian Experience with Loneliness is perfect for young adult individuals. I feel the Wattpad fans would also love this a lot.