Synopsis
I chose B.P.M.: Beats Per Minute because the teen librarian at the Rochester Public Library recommended it to me. She emphasized that the main character, Roxy, was in a lesbian. It’s rare finding graphic novels with gay characters, let alone finds them where the main protagonist is a woman of color. Many books written for gay teens feature white middle-class guys. Young Adult books are not very diverse in the first place, but seeing different types of queer people with diverse backgrounds is practically non-existent.
B.P.M. gives a glimpse into New York City gay club culture. Roxy’s friend Atsuko plays at popular gay club, Plush, where she’s adored and applauded for her amazing mixes. The gay men that worship her and her skills play as backdrop to the story. Roxy even had a best friend who was a gay man, but him being gay (though obvious) was not the focus of his identity.
What I liked about this graphic novel is that Roxy’s sexuality doesn’t play a big part in the narrative. Yes, she’s in a relationship with another woman, Hannah, but the main focus is her trying to pursue her dream of becomes a famous DJ who gets to travel the world playing in different clubs. She’s trying to get to the same level as Atsuko where people adore her and she rubbing elbows with big-to-dos. She accomplishes that, but at the sacrifice of her relationship with Hannah. I think Roxy’s situation is relatable because sometimes to achieve your goals and dreams other aspects of your life may have to fall by the wayside. I wanted Roxy and Hannah to get back together, but sometimes you can’t have both. They were at two different places in their lives and it wasn’t the right time for them to be together, that’s what happens in some relationships.
The art of the graphic novel was very cartoonish, but not over-sexualized. There were nude and underwear scenes, but nothing provocative, just the characters getting ready for their day (or in most cases night). What I really loved about this work was the accompanying “soundtrack.” Every scene had a different song to go with it and the name and title of the track was at the bottom corner by the page numbers. If you had the music to listen to while you were reading, it would make for an awesome experience.
Sizer is a DJ himself so he knows about the club scene this graphic novel was based on. He’s a white man, not a queer woman of color, but like I said, Roxy’s sexuality is not the emphasis here. Sizer (and Roxy by proxy) makes the story about feeling the music within you and driving and believing in yourself to achieve your goals. Who isn’t influenced by music moving through your core? That’s why I consider this good literature.