At the heart of Kay Sohini’s This Beautiful, Ridiculous City is the idea of perception. As a graphic memoir it also fits into that strand of comics narrative we have come to term as the the psychogeographical; explorations of our relationships with our environments in regards to time, space, memory and emotional interactions. In Sohini’s case our object of attention is the city of New York, a locale she was fascinated by growing up, and finally gets to experience firsthand when she moves there from India.
The contrast of the mythology of a city and its reality, then, is a central foundation to this investigation. Something that will no doubt be echoed in how individual readers interact with the book, depending on their own conception of the city and whether that is predicated on lived experience or pop cultural observation. The difference between vicarious appreciation and constant direct immersion.
Sohini charts how her affection for New York began, with a steady diet of relevant writing, film and TV shaping that love. One key line about how Western cultural supremacy moulded her comes early in the book: “It led me to a place where moving across the world became a homecoming in reverse.” But first we witness some of the events that lead to this life-changing relocation, including the passing of a much loved grandparent and a toxic relationship that will eventually lead to startling revelations about the behaviour of her former partner. These raw and brutally candid recollections add vital context to the proceedings.
New York, then, becomes the centre of something of a spiritual rebirth. We see events entirely from Sohini’s perspective; a constant stream of commentary that works so well in anchoring us in her memories. It’s an essential quality in a book so personal, and one that sustains a level of intimacy throughout. Indeed, we do not need to see dialogue or other “characters” in a direct sense because, trite as it sounds, New York is a character in itself here.
Here a city that can be impersonal and detached can also be nurturing and enriching. We observe as Sohini marvels at the architectural possibilities of Manhattan, walks through Central Park in the Autumn, attempts to spot the Manhattan skyline from the Coney Island Ferris wheel, and enjoys the diverse cuisine of Jackson Heights.
What stands out here, and what no doubt led to Sohini’s nomination in the 2025 Broken Frontier Awards, is the visual splendour of This Beautiful, Ridiculous City. Stunning yet careful colour choices foster a richly emotional connection with the locales depicted on the page; experimental and ever changing page layouts allow us to see things through Sohini’s eyes from direct, representational and symbolic viewpoints; and a constant, inventive, and sometimes even innovative, use of the language of comics impresses throughout.
A remarkable portrayal of a personal journey, both figuratively and literally, This Beautiful, Ridiculous City is beautifully illustrated work from a true breakout talent.
Kay Sohini (W/A) • Ten Speed Graphic/Jonathan Cape $24.99/£20.00
Buy online from Gosh! Comics here
Review by Andy Oliver
