Chopsticks
by Jessica Anthony and Rodrigo Corral
Razorbill (enhanced e-book)

Chopsticks, by writer Jessica Anthony and designer Rodrigo Corral, is touted as one of the first 'e-novels'. Not simply a traditional book with DVD-style extras, but a story designed to be 'read' on your i-Gadget. The story: Glory Fleming is a gifted young pianist from the Bronx. Having toured the world (urged by her overbearing father), Glory's life changes when her mother dies, and she gradually withdraws into her own world. Her main link to society is Francisco, an Argentinian immigrant studying at the local school. They bond via music, e-mail and instant messages. Most oddly, they connect over Chopsticks, the song Glory's father forbids her to play. Then one day, Glory disappears. It's pretty slim, cliched stuff. What is striking is how the narrative, formed elegantly of music, e-mail, photographs and excerpts from Pablo Neruda, J.D. Salinger and Sylvia Plath, forms a new(ish) kind of text - a graphic novel that moves and speaks. You can even shuffle the chapters to re-mix the narrative. Inventive but not mind-blowing. Extras: music, e-mail, YouTube clips, online links, shuffle feature