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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
Craig Thompson spent more than 6 years creating this graphic novel, which was intended to humanize Arabs and Islam with Americans after 9/11, according to Thompson. In the interview he gave in 2011. he said that he was having fun playing with Orientalism in the same way as the cowboys and Indians genre don't represent the true American West, but they're inaccurate interpretations, a fairy tale genre. And that's where all the problems of Thompson's Habibi are coming.
Sure, it has nice art, but the only nice art is Thompson's calligraphy and use of geometry symbols, and Arabic art. However, that is just a copy, an attempt to recreate something created by others. There is also his usage of surahs from Qur'an where he draws parallels with the Bible and shows people that Islam is no different from Christianity and Judaism, and it comes from the same place.
Everything else in this celebrated graphic novel is bad and doesn't serve the purpose of humanizing Arabs and Islam. Quite contrary, it reinforces stereotypes of the Western view of the Arab world and Islam where women are raped and treated only as sexual objects, where all men are rapists and slaves are sold easily.
Apparently, Thompson never visited the Middle East, his only touch with the Arab world was his visit to Morocco, which is a bit sad, and even though he spent six years creating and researching this graphic novel, he didn't bother to visit and meet people (show me hijra community in any Arab country, Thompson). That would have been ok, as many other authors never visited places they were writing about if it wasn't for one small thing. He claims that he was playing with Orientalism, but in reality, he just wrote another novel filled with the same clichés and stereotypes.
His Wanatolia isn't fairytale-like, as he intended it to be, but a mess of a creation. At one point it looks like a country stuck in the Middle Ages, only to be an advanced and modern nation in the next. He mentions many issues such as lack of water, slavery, etc. yet doesn't bother to explore them in this 600+ pages graphic novel.
Romanticizing the rape and oversexualizing the main female character also doesn't benefit him, especially when you draw it in a comical style. As if I'm reading an issue of [b:Iznogud|36218506|Iznogud|René Goscinny|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1505080224l/36218506._SX50_.jpg|57854462] with the rape and nudity, and nobody can take it seriously.
In the end, the love story of Dodola and Zam is wrong on so many levels. They start as a brother and sister (not a real one), then as a mother and a child. She keeps talking about him as her only child only to tell him that she wants to have only his child. Then there is the portrayal of Dodola as the 9-year-old girl where she's going to her husband with intentions of pleasing him (really, Thomspon? Have you ever seen a child with those thoughts?) and the image of her riding him is distasteful, to say the least.
There are so many other things that downgrade this novel and mar its intentions, which could have been good, but the idea is not well executed. Note to Thompson, just because you wrote something knowingly racist doesn't mean it doesn't read like that. Two stars only for certain panels.
Sure, it has nice art, but the only nice art is Thompson's calligraphy and use of geometry symbols, and Arabic art. However, that is just a copy, an attempt to recreate something created by others. There is also his usage of surahs from Qur'an where he draws parallels with the Bible and shows people that Islam is no different from Christianity and Judaism, and it comes from the same place.
Everything else in this celebrated graphic novel is bad and doesn't serve the purpose of humanizing Arabs and Islam. Quite contrary, it reinforces stereotypes of the Western view of the Arab world and Islam where women are raped and treated only as sexual objects, where all men are rapists and slaves are sold easily.
Apparently, Thompson never visited the Middle East, his only touch with the Arab world was his visit to Morocco, which is a bit sad, and even though he spent six years creating and researching this graphic novel, he didn't bother to visit and meet people (show me hijra community in any Arab country, Thompson). That would have been ok, as many other authors never visited places they were writing about if it wasn't for one small thing. He claims that he was playing with Orientalism, but in reality, he just wrote another novel filled with the same clichés and stereotypes.
His Wanatolia isn't fairytale-like, as he intended it to be, but a mess of a creation. At one point it looks like a country stuck in the Middle Ages, only to be an advanced and modern nation in the next. He mentions many issues such as lack of water, slavery, etc. yet doesn't bother to explore them in this 600+ pages graphic novel.
Romanticizing the rape and oversexualizing the main female character also doesn't benefit him, especially when you draw it in a comical style. As if I'm reading an issue of [b:Iznogud|36218506|Iznogud|René Goscinny|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1505080224l/36218506._SX50_.jpg|57854462] with the rape and nudity, and nobody can take it seriously.
In the end, the love story of Dodola and Zam is wrong on so many levels. They start as a brother and sister (not a real one), then as a mother and a child. She keeps talking about him as her only child only to tell him that she wants to have only his child. Then there is the portrayal of Dodola as the 9-year-old girl where she's going to her husband with intentions of pleasing him (really, Thomspon? Have you ever seen a child with those thoughts?) and the image of her riding him is distasteful, to say the least.
There are so many other things that downgrade this novel and mar its intentions, which could have been good, but the idea is not well executed. Note to Thompson, just because you wrote something knowingly racist doesn't mean it doesn't read like that. Two stars only for certain panels.
An absolutely marvelous story! It had a compelling plot and absolutely GORGEOUS illustrations. I only wish I could personally commend the author/illustrator!
The amount of work put in this graphic novel, and I mean both research and illustrative work, is enormous. It is truly a masterpiece, and an uttermost pleasure to read and admire Craig Thompson's talent in storytelling and drawings.
Although he touches the subject of religion many times throughout the whole novel, it is given in such a subtle and interesting way one doesn't really mind. it's all amazing stories woven into two people's hard life. It is the story of devotion, love, beliefs, and, as the author himself says - sexual trauma. It's deep and full of meaning, surpassing the boundaries of a graphic novel.
I wish it never finished, and I really feel bad for reading it so fast.
The edition itself is beautiful and a real jewel among other books on the bookshelf - hard cover with stamped gold foil and wonderful embellishments.
A must have, just like other Craig Thompson's novels.
Although he touches the subject of religion many times throughout the whole novel, it is given in such a subtle and interesting way one doesn't really mind. it's all amazing stories woven into two people's hard life. It is the story of devotion, love, beliefs, and, as the author himself says - sexual trauma. It's deep and full of meaning, surpassing the boundaries of a graphic novel.
I wish it never finished, and I really feel bad for reading it so fast.
The edition itself is beautiful and a real jewel among other books on the bookshelf - hard cover with stamped gold foil and wonderful embellishments.
A must have, just like other Craig Thompson's novels.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
just to mention off the bat, this book is really gorgeous. i found the exploration of the shared history of the Qur'an and the Bible to be really fascinating, and just the little anecdotes throughout were one of my favourite things about this. i think the encounter with Noah was the scene i was my favourite by far. the narrative was really dark and sad and it left me filled with mixed feelings about the main characters and their relationship. i don't really want to delve into that because honestly i don't know what to think. maybe that was the point of the book but yeah it's a very mixed feeling about this.
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Some of the most beautiful illustrations I've ever seen in a graphic novel. I love the sacred geometry imbued with meaning, the symbolism and storytelling. Some of the themes were so heavy and painful, the suffering of the main characters was tangible in the imagery. This is not a cozy, comforting read. Much of the story is disturbing and unsettling, but the moral struggle and spiritual wrestling the characters go through (and put themselves through) carries the plot forward. Even side characters seem to bring forth a lesson or concept for the reader to think about in the back of their mind, with distinct traits and personalities making each character their own. Even amidst so much darkness and gritty, appalling scenes of sadness and strife, the author threw in a handful of quirky moments, little laughs that could feel out of place but serve to make the heaviness of the story feel all the more surreal. I do think there was some heavy-handed glorification of the abuse and torture these characters went through, as the illustrations really focused on carnal desire in a way that was offputting and sometimes repulsive. Some of the characters were more caricatures, like tokens and tropes there simply to root the story in some realm of familiarity. I can see why some criticize this book as focusing so much on the various forms of prejudice and bigotry that it illustrates that it makes the story itself come across racist/sexist/etc - personally, I think it's always uncomfortable to be met with such heavy themes and in such intricate detail, so with that being said, while the artistry is beyond impressive and beautiful in a lot of ways, this book is NOT for everyone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Rape, Slavery
Moderate: Drug abuse, Pedophilia, Racism, Sexism, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, Trafficking
Minor: Child death, Misogyny, Kidnapping, Grief, Pregnancy, Dysphoria, Classism
Quite simply an amazing read. Painstakingly drawn with a richness and attention to detail that makes me wonder about this guys sanity and social life. And the story is also rich, a moving love story of two orphans, forced into to slavery intertwined with overlapping stories from Islamic and Christian texts with very interesting breakdowns and historic slices of Islamic science, script, calligraphy and mythology.
A recurring theme throughout the novel is humankinds neglect for earth and nature and I read, how we have abandoned God and in turn have abandoned earth and the environment. Worthy of purchase and several re-readings!
A recurring theme throughout the novel is humankinds neglect for earth and nature and I read, how we have abandoned God and in turn have abandoned earth and the environment. Worthy of purchase and several re-readings!
This comic was massively hyped both by the shop I bought it from and by authors I respect who had provided blurbs and reviews, so I had huge expectations. Unfortunately they weren't quite met, which has left me with the over-hyped, under-delivered aftermath. The artwork was stunning and intricate, the story was interesting and not at all predictable, the themes were moving and compelling, but somehow it just didn't grab me as strongly as I'd expected it to. I can't really put my finger on why, which is annoying as I feel like I want to give this review more substance than it currently has.
Still, a strong 4 stars.
Still, a strong 4 stars.
I admire the art and reverence for calligraphy and intricate patterns, but the content leaves me uneasy for many reasons.
It made me extremely uncomfortable and I can't pinpoint exactly why. I certainly feel that he did a lot of research, and since I don't know anything about Islam or Arab cultures, I can't really say if it's offensive or not on those fronts, but this doesn't feel like his story to tell, the gender roles were surprisingly rigid, and I'm really not a fan of the sexual exploitation and that their relationship ends up being romantic/sexual, because it ends up feeling incestuous. The plot after they escape from the sultan is pointless and meandering. If it had been shorter and more concise it probably would've felt more like a legend or fairy tale and less like ...whatever the fuck this book ended up being. The artwork was beautiful, though.
slow-paced
An amazing work of drawing detailed illustrations in black and white. Amazing hardcover edition. Perfect for collectors.