A review by skrobisaurus
The Breadwinner: A Graphic Novel by Nora Twomey, Deborah Ellis

3.0

I saw this graphic novel on the shelf at the library and was intrigued, since the animated film adaptation is currently on my Netflix list of things to watch and this seemed like it would be a relatively quick read. (I wasn't aware it all stemmed from a novel of the same name, at this point.) I tried to prepare myself for the emotional labor that I was sure would accompany this-- reading about oppression and suffering is never easy, but it seems infinitely harder when your country is perpetuating it-- and finally dove into it.

It was alright. The artwork was stunning, it was a heart-wrenching story, and I learned more about Afghanistan and its painful history of occupation-- but this slim volume oversimplifies everything. I wanted to see it delve deeper (so as to elaborate on, well, pretty much everything) but condensing it to an 80 page graphic novel means that plot points seemed to breeze past without due attention. I'm torn on the ending:

though it's definitely symbolic of the ongoing conflict to which the people of Afghanistan are subjected, it was a wholly unsatisfying place to end. Does the family get reunited? Does Parvana see Shauzia/Deliwar again? Where does the family go from here?

An important tale to tell but the shortness of the graphic novel is to its detriment. Hopefully it will encourage kids to seek out more literature on the topic of military control in Afghanistan.