Ghosts: A Graphic Novel

While spirits in the novel sometimes embody full-fledged characters such as José and the woman Cat sits with at the celebration, they also serve as a symbol of the family’s Mexican heritage and the endurance of The Unbreakable Bond of Sisterhood even in death. Cat and Maya hear from Carlos that the town is inhabited by ghosts on their first day there. Cat does not believe in ghosts and tries to convince Maya to share her skepticism. Maya is still young enough to be open to the possibility, and it is her curiosity that leads the two sisters to trudge up the hill to the mission with Carlos to meet real ghosts. There, Cat and Maya learn that ghosts rely on the living. The ghosts try to steal Maya’s breath, rendering her hospitalized. Even this frightening and dangerous experience does not deter Maya, as she is desperate to know what happens after death and understand as much as possible about it. Ghosts continue to follow Cat through the months leading up to Halloween, and although she resists them the entire time, with her sister’s encouragement, she finally gathers the courage to meet them. Cat began Discovering Her Heritage when she arrived in Bahia de la Luna, but it is at the Day of the Dead celebration, dancing with humans and spirits alike, that she truly cements herself as part of Mexican culture.

Several key spirits appear in the story, including the spirit of Abuela in the form of a black cat, the ghost of José, and the woman who keeps Cat company at the Day of the Dead party. The black cat first shows itself to Cat and Maya as they explore the new town, but Cat sees it as bad luck and warns Maya to avoid it. It is not until the end of the story, when the feast appears on the table at the same time as the black cat’s arrival, that Cat finally understands why the cat follows her. Cat mistakenly thinks a spirit at the party is her abuela, but even when she realizes it is not, she shares a soda with the woman and thanks her for her presence. José is another important spirit; seeing him thriving and happy, despite having died so young, brings comfort to both Cat and Maya. José does his best to answer Maya’s lingering questions about death, and Maya shares her breathing tube with him—an act that Seo points out symbolizes friendship: “If you give them just a tiny bit of yourself … You will never be lacking in spirits to call your friends!” (188-89).