|
The Arrival isn’t quite what you’d expect. It’s a graphic novel with no words, yet it has at least four distinct languages. It tells a tale that’s almost clichéd, yet it does so in a way that’s breathtakingly unique. And, most importantly, it’s profoundly moving. The Arrival describes the experiences of a family looking for a better life. Written by an immigrant to Australia, it outlines the challenges faced by immigrants all over the world by describing the journey undertaken by a father to a mythical (strange) land. Honestly, there’s not much more that should be said without spoiling the creativity of the story - the artwork’s of a very high quality, and the story, while familiar, is different enough to make it a fascinating read. The characters are well developed, especially given no English words are written through the entire book. It’s important to remember English words, because Tan has done an amazing job of creating not one, not two, but a number of distinctly recognisable languages without ever explaining what they mean. It’s an excellent book, well worth checking out. I could write a lot more about the power of symbolism and analogy, but I won’t. It’s in there, and that’s all that’s important. It doesn’t have the scale or scope of an Akira, a Maus, or even a Bone, but it makes a great read for adults and children alike, one that almost brings tears to the eye by the conclusion. Definitely recommended. |
Recommended? "yes"