A review by koreanlinda
A Game for Swallows: To Die, to Leave, to Return by Zeina Abirached

challenging dark hopeful inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

4.0

This short but dense graphic novel describes the author Zeina Abirached's childhood memories in Beirut, Lebanon during its civil war. Although it spans mostly one evening when her parents were away and missing, the whole situation in Lebanon's internal conflicts is interwoven through the stories of neighbors who come over and keep Zeina and her younger brother company. The level of violence that these people have been experiencing is unbearably harsh, yet they get through it together with constant expression of affection and care for one another. I got to learn about the Lebanese civil war and at the same time gained hope and faith in humanity in small pockets of this world.

Review by Linda (Any Pronouns) in October 2024
Personal essays on DefinitelyNotOkay.com
Artwork on Instagram @KoreanLinda 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Death of parent, and War