Anya’s Ghost, written by Vera Brosgol, is a graphic novel that tells the story of Anya Borzakovskaya, a Russian immigrant navigating the complexities of high school life while dealing with issues of identity and belonging.

Summary

• Main Character: Anya is a teenager who feels out of place in her American high school. She struggles with her cultural identity, body image, and the pressures of fitting in. Her relationship with her mother is strained, and she often feels isolated from her peers.
• Inciting Incident: One day, while trying to escape her troubles, Anya falls into an abandoned well. While trapped, she discovers a skeleton and encounters the ghost of Emily, a young woman who died nearly a century ago.
• The Ghostly Friendship: After Anya is rescued, she inadvertently brings a bone from Emily’s skeleton with her, allowing Emily’s ghost to follow her home. Initially, Emily becomes a supportive presence in Anya’s life, helping her with school and encouraging her to pursue her crush on a popular boy named Sean.
• Dark Turn: As their friendship develops, Emily’s influence becomes increasingly controlling. Anya begins to realize that Emily’s motivations may not be as altruistic as they seem. The ghost pushes Anya to take risks and make choices that compromise her values.
• Revelation and Confrontation: Anya investigates Emily’s past and uncovers the truth about her death, discovering that Emily was involved in a tragic murder-suicide. This revelation leads to a confrontation between Anya and Emily, forcing Anya to assert her independence.
• Resolution: Ultimately, Anya learns to embrace her identity and make decisions for herself rather than succumbing to external pressures. The story concludes with Anya gaining confidence and reconciling her relationships with those around her.

Themes

Anya’s Ghost explores several key themes:

• Cultural Identity: Anya grapples with her Russian heritage while trying to fit into American society.
• Self-Discovery: The journey toward self-acceptance is central to Anya’s character development.
• Friendship and Manipulation: The dynamics of friendship are examined through Anya’s relationship with Emily, highlighting the dangers of dependency.

The graphic novel combines humor and horror elements to create a relatable coming-of-age story that resonates with readers facing similar challenges in their own lives. The artwork complements the narrative, enhancing the emotional depth of Anya’s journey.