Reviews

Alpha: Abidjan to Paris by Barroux, Sarah Ardizzone, Bessora

bgg616's review against another edition

I learned about this remarkable book from the Guardian newspaper, and immediately ordered it from the UK. This is a book that describes the desperation and the despair of young men in West Africa. We see stories of the thousands who are stranded in Morocco and Algeria, trying to cross over to Spain and make their way into Europe. Alpha leaves Abidjan, the capital of the Ivory Coast, to search for his wife and son who went to Paris. He has not heard anything from them, and leaves to find his wife's sister in Paris.

This novel conveys the tragedy of this migration, and is a basic introduction to the experience through the eyes of a sympathetic migrant. Highly recommended for any interested in migrants/immigrants, refugees, Africa and more.

cinfhen's review against another edition

challenging informative sad fast-paced

4.0

santersgrotto's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

4.0

raynasdad's review against another edition

4.0

This was a very good book. Both the story and the tone were heart-wrenching. I feel the translation works, because the narration had the feel of someone who is not highly educated or for whom English is not their first language.
The simplicity of the pictures and the media used fit the tone perfectly, in my opinion.

yelenavalek's review against another edition

challenging reflective sad fast-paced

3.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Abortion, Death, and Sexual violence

lauren_endnotes's review against another edition

4.0

We follow Alpha, a cabinet maker from Cote d'Ivoire, on his journey north in hopes of reuniting with his wife and young son in Paris. This story of migration and human suffering was a bitter and strong pill, but one that is important to read and learn in light of the present crisis.

arletteacosta's review against another edition

emotional informative reflective sad tense slow-paced

5.0

han_reads_13579's review against another edition

3.0

I devoured this in 1 day. The writing was very simplistic (perhaps intended for a younger audience) but nevertheless the artwork and the story were very powerful.

koby's review against another edition

4.0

Beautiful art, tragic story. It made me think about how so much of my situation in this world is due to the luck of when and where I was born.

emmycd's review against another edition

3.0

Alpha's wife and child have left the Ivory Coast in a bid to reach Paris where his sister-in-law owns a hair salon. Alpha decides to sell his business and try to reach Paris by illegal means as the bureaucracy involved in applying for a visa is impossible for people like Alpha. We see Alpha through the various stages of his journey.

This story is not a new one and is one which I think is a popular theme in the middle grade graphic novel genre. In fact, this is very very similar to [b:Illegal|35963837|Illegal|Eoin Colfer|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1502203198l/35963837._SY75_.jpg|57522645] which I think was executed much better.

The art is also very bizarre and is not a style I like.