Shaun Tan evokes universal aspects of an immigrant's experience through a singular work of the imagination. He does so using brilliantly clear and mesmerizing images. Because the main character can't communicate in words, the book forgoes them too. But while the reader experiences the main character's isolation, he also shares his ultimate joy.
Thoughts: Shaun Tan is fabulous. His ability to tell a full and emotive story suing pictures is bought to the fore in this book. The Arrival is a graphic novel without words, but at no stage are you left wondering what the story is about, what emotions the characters are feeling and why they are making the decisions they do.
The Suitcase - Shaun Tan |
The Old Country - Shaun Tan |
Telling the story of a man who leaves his family and journeys to a new country in search of a better life, Tan illustrates the strangeness of a new place, where nothing looks familiar and there are so many things you don't understand.
Freshman Monroe Scholars |
The Market - Shaun Tan |
Columbus State University Unfamiliar Genre Wiki - Graphic Novels |
Dinner - Shaun Tan |
Josephine Zupan's English 4561 E-Folio |
This book is so rich. You could easily spend a couple of hours pouring over the illustrations, looking at the detail and delighting at the story.
Shaun Tan explains some of the inspiration and processes behind The Arrival on this page. You will need to scroll down past the pictures to read the article.
This book also fits into my 100 Best Book List Challenge, covering the Young Adult category.