The Absolutely (Almost) True Adventures Of Max Rodriguez by Frederick Luis Aldama
A Brown Ink title, an imprint from FlowerSong Press
Max Rodriguez (née Maxine) could read before they could talk, devouring comics, novels, and books on philosophy. This helps them later to navigate the topsy-turvy life as a 9th grader in Nowheresville, California. Max’s adventures include encounters with their spirited abuelita (aka Tatabuela), who drives a Hulk-green muscle car and grows marijuana in her attic; an estranged, self-styled John-Wayne-strutting Irish American grandpa, Logan; a fair-weather papá named Carlos; Mamá, a fiercely independent, bilingual elementary school teacher; and a taciturn older brother, Che, about to head to college. Others in Max’s orbit include a compassionate tío, Jorge, who fears the loss of loved ones to a rising AIDS epidemic, activist prima, Lara, as well as wild and zany best friends, Rudy and Miguel. Tears, laughter, courage, and unyielding love shape Max’s journey of self-discovery.
Watch: Max Rodriguez Book Trailer
The Absolutely (Almost) True Adventures Of Max Rodriguez Discussion Guide
Frederick Luis Aldama was born in Mexico City to a Guatemalan- and Irish-American mother from LA and a Mexican father from Mexico City. When he was a child, his mother moved the family to California. Today he is known as Professor Latinx and is an award-winning author and editor of over 50 books, including recently the comic book Pyroclast, the graphic fictions Through Fences and Labyrinths Borne, and children’s books The Adventures of Chupacabra Charlie and Con Papá / With Papá. He is a National Cartoonists Society, Texas Institute of Letters and Ohio State University's ODI Hall of Fame inductee. He is founder and director of the UT Austin's Latinx Pop Lab where he holds the Jacob & Frances Sanger Mossiker Chair in the Humanities.
“She’s one of those tough love grandmas, never going mushy on me and never sneaking in sideways at Maxine. She got it straight away when one Thanksgiving I told the family that I wanted to be referred to only as Max.’ These lines from The Absolutely (Almost) True Adventures of Max Rodriguez offer a taste of why Aldama’s new book is an absolute must read for 2024—and beyond. This beautifully written and illustrated book finally brings us a gender nonconforming teen set in a page- turning, socially radical universe. Roll call for all BIPOC and queer-identified folx; for all you weary-of-capitalist-lit, comic- book-loving, status-quo-critiquing fans of engaging writing and outsider identities of all stripes: I am happy to report that you now have a hero of your own!”
—Paloma Martínez-Cruz, author of Other Bombs and Food Fight!
“A must-read that fills the void for young, pop-culture-loving Latines who need to see themselves in the pages of fiction. Max’s formative journey of discovery speaks to the hearts of every dreamer, thinker, and believer!”
—Terry Blas, author of Life Time Passes and Hotel Dare
“No one has done more to promote, celebrate, and bring critical attention to Latinx comix than Aldama, so it’s no surprise that he’s thrown his hat into the ring with a hilarious, literary, political, visual-textual mashup about a community of loveable eccentrics and rebels who live firmly in their time and yet point us toward a better, more compassionate future.”
—Maceo Montoya, author of Preparatory Notes for Future Masterpieces
“Fourteen-year-old Max Rodriguez is an irrepressible ‘tomboy’ who finds where and how they belong through their familia. The Absolutely (Almost) True Adventures of Max Rodriguez is an engaging story that keeps the reader off-balance as Max discovers new adventures in the age-old quest to belong.”
—Sergio Troncoso, author of Nobody’s Pilgrims and A Peculiar Kind of Immigrant’s Son
This is the novel all of us Latinx who didn’t fit in growing up needed and still need. Through Max, a 14-year-old ‘tomboy’ of a Guatemalan American independent mother and Chicano activist dad, Aldama narrates a vital Latinx story that eschews stereotypes of gender, nuclear families, Latinx parenting, and so much more. The family is working class and intellectual. Mamá is open about her sexual desires. Max’s rejection of gender binaries are unquestioned by their family. With the backdrop of the 1980s AIDS crisis and alongside two best friends, Miguel and Rudy, Max’s intelligent and curious voice draws you into the diverse and loving Latinx community of Nowheresville, while Camilo Esquivel’s drawings bring Max’s imagination to life. I have never read a Latinx narrative like this before. I am grateful that now there is something for all of us Latinx ‘misfits’!”
—Melissa Castillo Planas, author of Chingona Rules and A Mexican State of Mind
“Get ready, world, for Max Rodriguez and their quirky, colorful, co-characters to capture your heart. Aldama’s story and Esquivel’s artwork pair perfectly in a joyous celebration of individuality, friendship, family, and love!”
—Alex Sanchez, author of Rainbow Boys and You Brought Me the Ocean
“Max Rodriguez takes it to the MAX, living life the only way they know how, with ganas and a whip-smart intellect. Set in the 80s, Aldama’s novel offers radical joy and hope now, when we need it the most!”
—Estella Gonzalez, author of Chola Salvation and Huizache Women
“Beckoning us to hear their stories of misfit pride and black and purple quinces, Max Rodriguez entrances us with their raw ambitions and self-exploration as they navigate their Guatemalan/Chicanx and nonbinary identities among loving family and friends”
—Isabel Millán, author of Coloring into Existence and Chabelita’s Heart / El corazón de Chabelita
“A magical blend of herstory, magic, realism and CORAZÓN. Protagonist Max Rodriguez walks right into your heart from the start with this fiercely intelligent, poignant and powerful tale!”
—Anel I. Flores, author of Empanada: a Lesbiana Story en Probaditas and Curtains of Rain