Year of the Monkey (book)

Year of the Monkey is a graphic memoir by American author and cartoonist Gene Luen Yang, published in 2016 by First Second. The book blends autobiography with Chinese mythology, specifically drawing upon the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West.

The narrative follows a fictionalized version of Yang during the 2000s, a year of the Monkey in the Chinese zodiac. While navigating personal and professional challenges, including a challenging teaching job and anxieties about his writing career, Yang experiences encounters with a shapeshifting monkey spirit who represents both chaos and transformative potential. The monkey spirit pulls Yang into fantastical interludes that mirror themes of identity, self-discovery, and faith explored in Journey to the West.

The book uses a combination of full-color illustrations and black-and-white sequences to distinguish between reality and fantasy. Through its interwoven narratives, Year of the Monkey explores themes of cultural identity, mental health, the creative process, and the search for meaning in a complex world. It has been praised for its inventive storytelling, insightful exploration of cultural heritage, and honest portrayal of personal struggles.