There is No Shrimp... And Other Lies My Mother Told Me


Non-Fiction - Memoir
100 Pages
Reviewed on 04/15/2023
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Author Biography

Kenny Loui is a doctor (of philosophy), college professor, and life-long otaku. His hobbies include writing, doodling, stargazing, and binge-watching anime on Crunchyroll. He is the author of "Life Lessons from a UFO Catcher: An Autobiographical Manga," a webtoon/graphic novel series based on his experiences "rescuing" cute and cuddly plushies trapped inside arcade claw machines in South Korea, while capturing important life lessons along the way.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

There is No Shrimp... And Other Lies My Mother Told Me is an autobiographical manga by Kenny Loui. A sequel to Life Lessons from a UFO Catcher by the same author, the comic book follows Kenny after he lands himself in jail following his fistfight with Killian. Kenny finds a pink plush pig to whom he starts telling stories from his childhood and how the sweet lies of his mother taught him some valuable lessons. Kenny's mom used to live in a black-and-white world, and she taught him to be grateful that his world was so much more colorful. Whether tricking him into eating his food or making him wary of drugs, Kenny's mom found ingenious ways to impart wisdom to her son. In this installment, you will learn about some fun Couple Holidays unique to South Korean culture.

I am two books through this series and already a fan of Kenny's adventures. There is No Shrimp... And Other Lies My Mother Told Me continues in the same joyful spirit of the previous installment, where Kenny Loui finds a way to incorporate some grounded moral lessons into fun-filled adventure stories that you can't help but love. Illustrator Yamawe's artwork is as brilliant as ever, making the narrative even more vibrant and effective. I loved that Kenny still hadn't lost his affinity for plush toys in jail. Comic books like these are the best way to teach kids about morals and life. Highly recommended.

Kayleigh Perumal

There Is No Shrimp… And Other Lies My Mother Told Me by Kenny Loui picks up from Life Lessons from a UFO Catcher. While Kenny waits to be freed from prison after his scramble with Killian at Gerry’s, he kills time by chatting to Irene - a plushie pig that he finds. Kenny reminisces about his childhood and tells us stories about his relationship with his mother. Growing up, Kenny was a curious and naïve child. To counter his countless questions, his mom often has to think of creative answers to satisfy him. Hilariously, Kenny always believes her white lies wholeheartedly and literally.

Each chapter is based on a different anecdote, which provides more information about Kenny’s background, like where he lives and how he spends his time (outside of UFO catching). We are also introduced to a few other characters that play a pivotal role in Kenny’s life, including his teacher, Mrs. O’Brien, and his sisters Jinny and Sammy. The visuals in Loui’s There Is No Shrimp… And Other Lies My Mother Told Me matches the design and layout of the first manga, which facilitates continuity in the series. The bonus story, where Kenny’s guardian spirit Somi educates us on the different types of couple holidays in South Korea, is also fascinating. It sets the stage perfectly for the next season of Life Lessons from a UFO Catcher. This manga will delve into Kenny’s love life and feature more of his twin sisters.

Astrid Iustulin

At the beginning of There is No Shrimp... And Other Lies My Mother Told Me by Kenny Loui, we find the protagonist, Kenny, in prison, where he tells a few stories to an adorable stuffed pig. What stories does Kenny tell? These are childhood memories, all related to a lie his mother told him so as not to tell the truth. She lies when she tells her son that if he keeps practicing jumping on the bed, he will fly like Superman; that there is no shrimp in the food he is about to eat; that a girl gets pregnant if a boy touches her; and many others. It will sometimes be Mrs. O'Brien's job to correct some of Kenny's mother's lies.

There is No Shrimp... And Other Lies My Mother Told Me caught my attention with the beautiful cover and the title that promised an entertaining story, and I was not disappointed. Kenny Loui lived up to my expectations and delivered a lot of fun, especially in the amusing way he recounts his memories. I appreciated that we had the chance to learn about South Korean couples' holidays; it was a discovery I did not expect and which I liked. The more I read this story, the more I wanted to keep reading, which meant I had a blast. Furthermore, Yamawe's images are stunning and represent what Loui is saying very well. I hope to read more like this soon, but in the meantime, I recommend this one to everyone who loves beautiful pictures and stories.