Inspired by the visual richness and cinematic structure of the Hollywood Musical, Blame this on the Boogie chronicles the adventures of a Filipino American girl born in the decade of disco who escapes life’s hardships and mundanity through the genre’s feel good song and dance numbers. Ayuyang explores how the glowing charm of the silver screen can transform one’s reality, shaping their approach to childhood, relationships, sports, reality TV, and eventually politics, parenthood, and mortality.
Hear what they’re saying about the book:
Rina Ayuyang’s visuals are wonderfully musical, lilting across the pages with energy and movement.
-Publisher’s Weekly Starred Review
Pajama party at Rina’s house! Stay up late dancing in front of the TV, maybe miss your mom and dad. Rina twirls you through moments big and small. The pain and bliss of being yourself. These stories make me feel at home.
-Vanessa Davis, Spaniel Rage, Make Me a Woman
Blame This on the Boogie draws us in with effortless grace and weaves a sweetly compelling story of assimilation, ambition, and a 1980s childhood shaped by ‘Solid Gold,’ Duran Duran videos, and Fred Astaire. Rina’s gift for expressing her love of dance and her love for her family brings something new and refreshing to graphic memoirs that I want more of.
-Mimi Pond , Over Easy, The Customer is Always Wrong
A delightful book. Love how Rina takes on childhood, motherhood and of course, the Solid Gold Dancers. Yes, and those colors. Oh, those colors…”
– Jaime Hernandez , Love and Rockets
BLAME THIS ON THE BOOGIE is a freeform immersion via the Great American Songbook into memory, motherhood, Filipino culture, Pittsburgh, and Dancing With the Stars fan-fiction, told with delirious hand-made energy and big-hearted charm.
– Daniel Clowes, Patience, Wilson
Rina Ayuyang 