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irinam's review against another edition
challenging
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
lizaroo71's review against another edition
4.0
This book is truly great at capturing a time and place through a child's eyes.
Sattouf has a French mother and a Syrian father. His father is a professor and takes a job first in Libya and then in Syria. Sattouf's attention to detail is appreciated. I found myself chuckling in several parts of the book.
He color codes for the different countries he represents which I found easy to follow and a great way to differentiate setting.
This is the first in a series. I hope to get to the second one very soon.
Sattouf has a French mother and a Syrian father. His father is a professor and takes a job first in Libya and then in Syria. Sattouf's attention to detail is appreciated. I found myself chuckling in several parts of the book.
He color codes for the different countries he represents which I found easy to follow and a great way to differentiate setting.
This is the first in a series. I hope to get to the second one very soon.
kamckim's review against another edition
5.0
Wow! This book had me laughing and a bit horrified at the same time. Sattouf's childhood recollections of life in Libya under Khadaffi as well as his introduction to Syrian village life are right on point. Not only does the format of a graphic novel (which, btw, Sattouf is an extremely talented artist) help you picture the scenarios, but the things he highlights are still so common in the Arab culture. Grandmas licking infections out of children's eyes, thug cousins, uncles younger than their nephews, the kinds of loving punishments inflicted on misbehaving kids. If you've ever lived in or are from the Middle East, you will immediately understand this book and be delighted by the point of view of the young protagonist. Having these memories collected in one book is just masterful, and it helped me understand some of the goings-on I've witnessed while living abroad. I have a feeling most of my Arab friends would just say, "Yep. That was no big deal back in the day." On the other hand, my Western friends might find some of the more complex and difficult intricacies of living in the Middle East a bit startling, to say the least. I guess I enjoyed the book so much because I came to the Middle East with childlike understanding of my new environs. That's why I can identify with young Riad's observations. The graphic style was pleasing, not ugly as some graphic novels can be. I especially enjoyed the use of spot color in well-placed parts of the narrative. It was quite effective. Really, whether you are Arab or Western, read this book. It will open up some wonderful worlds for you.
bryanzk's review against another edition
5.0
When I was young, I always wanted some of the plastic soldiers. Just imagine the possibilities if you could have over 20 of them! That was 1980s in China Mainland...
Also the brutal education, which was vividly written by Ye Fu, one of my favorite Chinese writers who truthfully record the people and stories of misery China.
Also the brutal education, which was vividly written by Ye Fu, one of my favorite Chinese writers who truthfully record the people and stories of misery China.
lavoiture's review against another edition
4.0
I'm a big fan of graphic memoirs, and I learned a lot about Libya and Syria back in the early 80s. Good read; I'll probably look for the following books soon.
scarletohhara's review against another edition
5.0
Whoa! A story set in Gaddafi's Libya and Assad's Syria, told from a child's perspective!
None of the minor incidents or the side-plots shock you because you know that stuff has happened but they still appal you, and I think the tone of the narrative does this brilliant job - not trivializing the serious situations yet telling it in an as-a-matter-fact-comic tone.
None of the minor incidents or the side-plots shock you because you know that stuff has happened but they still appal you, and I think the tone of the narrative does this brilliant job - not trivializing the serious situations yet telling it in an as-a-matter-fact-comic tone.