A Review of Nidhi Chanani’s Jukebox (First Second, 2021)

[uttararangarajan]

Written by Stephen Hong Sohn

Edited by Uttara Rangarajan 

I always teach Nidhi Chanani’s Pashmina in my course on graphic narrative, but I haven’t gotten around to reviewing Chanani’s graphic novel Jukebox (First Second, 2021), so I am here to recify this issue. Let’s go to the marketing description to get us situated, as per usual: “Grab some coins for the jukebox, and get ready for a colorful, time-traveling, musical tale about family and courage. A mysterious jukebox, old vinyl records, and cryptic notes on music history, are Shaheen's only clues to her father's abrupt disappearance. She looks to her cousin, Tannaz, who seems just as perplexed, before they both turn to the jukebox which starts…glowing? Suddenly, the girls are pulled from their era and transported to another time! Keyed to the music on the record, the jukebox sends them through decade after decade of music history, from political marches, to landmark concerts. But can they find Shaheen’s dad before the music stops? This time-bending magical mystery tour invites readers to take the ride of their lives for a coming-of-age adventure.”

 

This story is actually a little bit scary in terms of its premise because Shaheen’s dad is gone, and they’re not sure where he is. When they go to the record shop that he often frequents, they come upon a magical jukebox, which takes them to the time and place related to the record that is playing. With references to civil rights, Bessie Smith, James Brown, and time travel, you can’t really beat this particular adventure type graphic novel. There are some obvious resonances between this work and Pashmina, as both titles reference magical objects who are able to transport the individual who is in proximity to it in some way. Whereas Pashmina focuses very much on a South Asian American family and transnational dynamics, Jukebox is more interested in an intersectional perspective, bringing together Asian American, African American, white, and queer perspectives into a single narrative. A lovely author’s note at the work’s conclusion also clarifies the autobiographical stakes for this work. Finally, Chanani’s signature buoying visuals really bring this story to life. Another winner from Chanani.

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