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scarletohhara's review against another edition
4.0
Except for the fact that the book ends abruptly, I though this was a well written and illustrated book about a family relationship to terror, with enough history bits to pique the reader's interest.
saidtheraina's review against another edition
4.0
Gorgeously illustrated family story.
First off, this is NOT a story about Germany. This cover and title totally makes me think Nazis, and that's not what this is about.
Instead, Bunjevac's cultural heritage is from Yugoslavia. She follows her own early life, which was partially lived in North America, as well as that of her parents, and her grandparents on either side. Most of her childhood was spent in Yugoslavia, while her father was still overseas, and her complicated understanding of his story is the dominant theme.
This book is large-scale - just bigger than 8.5x11. Most pages are split into four equal panels. This gives the reader room to marvel at the detailed crosshatching, shading, and textures of her story. Bunjevac does a lovely job of giving us room to breathe when the story calls for us, includes maps in all the right places, and gives us just enough of the political context of their story for it to make sense to amateur/ignorant eyes. At least mine. :)
Read with:
[b: Dare to Disappoint: Growing Up in Turkey|23310679|Dare to Disappoint Growing Up in Turkey|Ozge Samanci|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1423522811s/23310679.jpg|42864804]
[b: Vietnamerica|8501710|Vietnamerica A Family's Journey|G.B. Tran|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1320532072s/8501710.jpg|13367641]
[b: You'll Never Know, Vol. 1|6192276|You'll Never Know, Vol. 1 A Good and Decent Man|Carol Tyler|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1435517603s/6192276.jpg|6372575] and sequels by [a: Carol Tyler|372791|Carol Tyler|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]
First off, this is NOT a story about Germany. This cover and title totally makes me think Nazis, and that's not what this is about.
Instead, Bunjevac's cultural heritage is from Yugoslavia. She follows her own early life, which was partially lived in North America, as well as that of her parents, and her grandparents on either side. Most of her childhood was spent in Yugoslavia, while her father was still overseas, and her complicated understanding of his story is the dominant theme.
This book is large-scale - just bigger than 8.5x11. Most pages are split into four equal panels. This gives the reader room to marvel at the detailed crosshatching, shading, and textures of her story. Bunjevac does a lovely job of giving us room to breathe when the story calls for us, includes maps in all the right places, and gives us just enough of the political context of their story for it to make sense to amateur/ignorant eyes. At least mine. :)
Read with:
[b: Dare to Disappoint: Growing Up in Turkey|23310679|Dare to Disappoint Growing Up in Turkey|Ozge Samanci|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1423522811s/23310679.jpg|42864804]
[b: Vietnamerica|8501710|Vietnamerica A Family's Journey|G.B. Tran|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1320532072s/8501710.jpg|13367641]
[b: You'll Never Know, Vol. 1|6192276|You'll Never Know, Vol. 1 A Good and Decent Man|Carol Tyler|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1435517603s/6192276.jpg|6372575] and sequels by [a: Carol Tyler|372791|Carol Tyler|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]
antlersantlers's review against another edition
5.0
In Fatherland, Nina Bunjevac explores the difficult history of her family and their home country of Yugoslavia. The first part of the book focuses on her immediate family. They lived a seemingly normal life in Canada, with a lot happening just below the surface (like her father's abuse and alcoholism). In the late 70's, her mother took Nina and her sister to live their grandparents in Yugoslavia. Devastatingly, her mother was forced to leave her brother behind. The second part traces her father's life, the events that shaped him, and the political-turned-terrorist activities that ultimately led to his death.
For me personal narratives are always the best way to get into something about which I know nothing. I don't think I've ever read anything about Yugoslavia, and Bunjevac does a nice job of focusing on her father and her family while providing enough background and history of the region. The story definitely is pretty heavy, but so poignant.
Nina Bunjevac's art was truly astonishing. So much detail on every single page, in every frame. The narrative is really difficult at times, but the art is always breathtaking. I really enjoyed immersing myself in her drawing, and I want more!
For me personal narratives are always the best way to get into something about which I know nothing. I don't think I've ever read anything about Yugoslavia, and Bunjevac does a nice job of focusing on her father and her family while providing enough background and history of the region. The story definitely is pretty heavy, but so poignant.
Nina Bunjevac's art was truly astonishing. So much detail on every single page, in every frame. The narrative is really difficult at times, but the art is always breathtaking. I really enjoyed immersing myself in her drawing, and I want more!
samypants35's review against another edition
4.0
Pretty solid, really well done artwork. I wish there was more about Yugoslavia, the history was too little for me to leave really satisfied.
pilesandpiles's review against another edition
2.0
There was a compelling story here, but it wasn't told very well. The author clearly isn't a writer and the book reads like the narrative construction and prose were barely touched by an editor. Unfortunate, because I appreciated the high-contrast art a lot.
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