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A review by calamitymane
Cicada by Shaun Tan
5.0
“Cicada” is a gorgeous little book. There’s more to this book than meets the eye, which, I think, may have been the point.
This can be the simple story of a cicada awaiting its (normal) life cycle of 17 years before transforming, or this can be the story an immigrant or disenfranchised group (note HR’s treatment of Cicada and the company’s concern for his living conditions). This may also be the story of the outsider who is bullied and disrespected, only to bloom and blossom and find their ilk. This book could be any or all of those things.
Minimalist writing accompanied by lush, detailed drawings - wonderful.
This can be the simple story of a cicada awaiting its (normal) life cycle of 17 years before transforming, or this can be the story an immigrant or disenfranchised group (note HR’s treatment of Cicada and the company’s concern for his living conditions). This may also be the story of the outsider who is bullied and disrespected, only to bloom and blossom and find their ilk. This book could be any or all of those things.
Minimalist writing accompanied by lush, detailed drawings - wonderful.