The book traces themes of emotional distancing in Kabi’s life, primarily her abstinence from most social interaction and sexual expression, as she arguably displaces the drive for intimacy into pursuing her ambition of becoming a manga artist. Nagata gave voice to her experience and that has allowed her readers to realize they are not alone.Kabi Nagata’s My Lesbian Experience with Loneliness follows the painfully shy, socially anxious narrator Kabi through her first sexual encounter at age 28, for which she hires a female sex worker to meet her in a love (or short-stay) hotel.

'It's impossible not to shed tears while reading this work Nagata's unflinching honesty is courageous, but the reason it resonates is because it parses experiences many of her readers have, but have never been able to give voice to.

'A complicated play of gender and sexual identities that Nagata unbinds and sorts through with striking aesthetic aplomb. 'No question, absolutely, my pick this week is My Lesbian Experience with Loneliness, which was simply one of the best autobiographical manga I’ve read.' - Sean Gaffney, Manga Bookshelf ' My Lesbian Experience with Loneliness is one of the most powerful manga I have ever read, and it all comes down to Nagata Kabi's openness and honesty.' - Nik Freeman, Anime News Network '.this is a comic that (a) treats sex workers with dignity and agency in a medium which has been historically unkind, (b) addresses very real themes of self-harm in a direct and honest way, and (c) adopts an attitude of complete acceptance of sexuality fluidity.' - Katie Skelly, The Comics Journal Her story is an open, honest, and deeply personal look at her struggles to fight back against her eating disorder, stop self-harming, and learn more about her sexuality.' - Ana Valens, The Mary Sue 'Sheds light on the complicated emotional and mental dynamics involved in lesbian relationships. 'The self-discovery that follows is utterly fascinating.' - Abraham Riesman, Vulture And let’s face it: that is all of us.' - Judith Utz, Teen Vogue 'While the subject matter is by no means light, this moving and honest slice of life will resonate with anyone who has questioned themselves or ever been conflicted in their lives. Winner of the 2018 Harvey Award for Best Manga and the 2017 Crunchyroll Anime Award for Best Manga, and acclaimed in Vox's top books of the decade, The Advocate 's Best LGBT Graphics Novels of 2017, the NPR Guide to 2017’s Great Reads, and the Publishers Weekly Best Books 2017. Critical acclaim for My Lesbian Experience with Loneliness:

My lesbian experience manga