Title: I Remember BeirutAuthor: Zeina Abirached
Translator: Edward Gauvin
Expected Publication: October 1, 2014
Publisher: Graphic Universe
Description:
Zeina Abirached grew up in Beirut in the 1980s as fighting between Christians and Muslims divided the city streets. With striking black-and-white artwork, Abirached recalls the details of ordinary life inside a war zone.
My Review:
When I was browsing titles on NetGalley, I was immediately drawn to this book. It seemed so interesting, and I knew that I would learn something from it. I also loved Persepolis, so I thought that if I Remember Beirut was in any way similar to it, I would enjoy it.Zeina Abirached uses graphic images to tell the tale of her childhood. It was a dark time then. Christians and Muslims were at war. It was a civil war that divided the city. She, her parents, and her brother are just trying to live a normal life during the war, but there are a lot of complications that they face. The school bus won’t come down her street anymore, so she, her brother, and the neighbors have to be driven to school. They don’t have running water. Their lives are anything but ordinary.
The artwork is simple, but it is stunning. I found myself staring at some of the pages just to see more about it. I wanted to know all the emotions on their faces. I wanted to see what Beirut looked like from Abirached's point of view. It did not disappoint me.
 |
If you are a fan of Persepolis, please read this book. Like Persepolis, I Remember Beirut tells the story of a young woman growing up in a tumultuous time. Although it seems like it is aimed more towards children and teens, anyone will be able to pick up the simple book and learn from it.
I really hope that this book becomes huge. I read Persepolis in a college class, and I can see this becoming a part of college curriculum as well. This is a book that not only entertains - it teaches us about history and the human spirit.
I received this a PDF copy of this graphic novel by Zeina Abirached from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This sounds wonderful Erin, and it always amazing me how folks try to maintain normalcy in all the chaos.
ReplyDeleteIt was such a good book. And I agree. I can't imagine trying to make life seem normal with an insane amount of crazy things going on.
DeleteAww this sounds like a wonderful read! And I love books with illustrations - it's why I will read MG a lot of the time. It just makes reading it so much fun. Great review, Erin!
ReplyDeleteWell it's actually a graphic novel, so it's set up like a comic book. I love graphic novels, and I try to read a few a year, but there aren't many on subjects that interest me.
DeleteAnd thanks! :)
This sounds so fantastic, and the illustrations seem great. I've never read a graphic novel, but I might as well read this as my first graphic novel. Fantastic review, Erin!
ReplyDeleteIt really was. I read it really quickly, and then I went back and reread it all in one night. It's less than one hundred pages, but it's full of so much truth and history that I loved it.
DeleteIf you read it, let me know what you think. And then you'll have to read Persepolis.
Awesome review! i honestly enjoyed this short review so much!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I have nominated you for a Liebstar Award! Please go check out my post for more info :D http://dinobookblog.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/liebstar-award-nomination-2014-woohoo.html
Thank you for the kind comments and the nomination. I think at this point, I am done with the Liebster award. I've already done seven of them, and I have another one plus yours, and it's getting to be too much. But I might answer the questions, so keep an eye out.
DeleteThis book looks really cool! I'm adding it to my TBR (but it might take a while for me to get to it) although the cover might convince me to bump it up a notch on the priority list.
ReplyDeleteWell the good news is that it's still not out for another two weeks, so there's another two weeks to read other books. lol
DeleteBut it is such a quick read. It only took me less than an hour, but then I went back to look at the pictures again and it still was only a very short read.
Nice review !
ReplyDeleteYou're blog is getting sooo pretty !! :)
I tagged you for the seven deadly sins tag :)
Here's the link if you're interested
http://gloriatheviolinist.blogspot.be/2014/09/the-7-deadly-sins-tag.html
Thank you, Gloria. And thanks again for saying that it's pretty. I was having a hard time finding a theme that I really liked until I can make a custom one.
DeleteI still have quite a few tags and awards to do, but I'll add it to my list. :)
love the review! Plus your red/blue contrat in your color scheme is just gorgeous. I know you've got a lot of tags going on already but I just couldn't help myself; I tagged you for the ten book challenge :) You can find out more here: http://love-at-first-write.blogspot.com/2014/09/ten-book-challenge.html
ReplyDeleteThanks for both compliments, Nikki. I think I like the blue the most because it's such a soft blue.
DeleteAnd thank you, but I've actually already done the Ten Book Challenge. It's right here if you want to check it out. :)