7 Wonders of Rosena Fung's World — THE NEEDLE AND THE KNIFE

This past spring, I found myself crying in the lobby of my child’s dance studio. Why? Because I was reading an advanced copy of Rosena Fung’s newest graphic novel from Annick Press, Age 16. Was I embarrassed to be crying in a dance studio? Sure. Was it worth it? 100 percent. Having read Rosena’s previous book, Living with Viola, I knew it would be great, but it was even better than I expected.

A funny, sharp, deeply-felt coming of age story, Age 16 follows three generation of women, from Guangdong, China in the 1950, through Hong Kong in the 1970’s, to Toronto in the 2000’s. Each of the three characters whose perspectives Rosena inhabits are compelling and complex, and she handles each of their stories with generosity and nuance. While I found myself immersed in geographical and cultural settings outside of my own experience, so many of the themes and emotional Rosena evoked —intergenerational struggles around issues of fat and food, a family that loves each other but had difficulty connecting because of past trauma— resonated painfully.

As Rosena sums it up in her author’s note, “This book is about all the ways we are taught to deny or bodies tenderness, and mothers can be especially critical of their daughters’ bodies. They hold the ways the world has been cruel to them as girls and women and pass it on. I recognize now that my mom wanted to protect me from our society's hatred of fatness but in doing so ended up reinforcing it. It’s taken a lifetime for me to figure out that I can accept her love but reject this inheritance.”

Holy heck. Do you see now why I was crying?

I few weeks later I had the privilege of attending the launch for Age 16 at Type Books in Toronto. The tiny space was brimming with Rosena’s friends, family, colleagues, and admirers who had come to celebrate this spectacular story. It must be said that I’ve never been to a book event with more energy or better snacks!

Rosena Fung is a cartoonist and illustrator based in Toronto, Canada. Her illustration clients include Chickadee Magazine, The Bentway, The Globe and Mail, The Boston Globe, Chronicle Review of Higher Education, CBC Arts, PLANSPONSOR, Maisonneuve, Bust Magazine, Swerve Magazine, Tridel Corporation, and the Toronto Transit Commission. She has created work for magazines, newspapers, and public art murals.

When she is not drawing, Rosena can be found teaching illustration, vending at zine fairs, and going to the library. Her favourite activities also include petting cats, eating snacks, and learning to play both acoustic and electric guitar (she is not great at it but it doesn't matter, it makes her happy to cradle her rockstar dreams!). She lives with her partner and the most adorable cat in the entire universe.

Her name is pronounced "Rosanna,” and these are her 7 WONDERS!

1. Cats

I love cats. SO MUCH. These little calico brush holders are a delight every time I paint!

2. Nachos

Specifically, Kings Crown Nachos at Sneaky Dees, a famous dive-y Tex Mex bar in Toronto. It's a heaping platter of nachos and everything else on top and it'll leave you feeling like a god after you finish it.

3. Skating

I'm a very clumsy, generally inactive person but when I'm on the ice, I feel fast and light and strong. Let's be clear: I'm a terrible skater! I haven't figured out how to stop yet. But the feeling of being on skates is paralleled only when I'm in the water: where I suddenly understand the strength of my body and the joy in movement.

4. Tommy Thompson park

One of my most favourite places in the city. It's a nature preserve that also exists in an intersection of human-made constructs (a lot of factories nearby). You'll find rebar and rounded bricks eroded by water, next to wildlife and lots and lots of birds. It's quiet and you can also see the skyline.

5. The Toronto Public Library

Probably the best thing of all of Toronto. It's expansive and provides so many services and resources for the city. In particular, my partner and I adore the Bookmobile, which services neighbourhoods not close to a physical branch. The librarians there are so kind to us and we take out our collective weight in books every week.

6. CNE

A sticky summer treat that's full of great food, lights and colours and sounds, and the bittersweet celebration of the end of another season.

7. Bean

100% the cutest cat of all time, she is the most perfect rotund darling and I love her so much mere words fall short of the extent of my adoration for her. Just look at her! Perfection.