THE ARRIVAL
by Shaun
Tan
Plot
Summary:
This wonderful book crosses so many genres and
styles. It is a work of fantasy because it does have elements of fantastical
beings and situations that cannot happen in the real world. However, the book
has much realistic fiction because it is about the plight of an immigrant who
is trying to move to a new country to start a better life for himself and his
family. There is a sense of historical fiction in the story as well because
many closely related elements of the early days of mass migration to the United
States which are vividly shown in the details of the story and the septa toned
images. There is so much emotion revealed and felt by the reader throughout the
book such as those of love, fear, sadness, despair, uncertainty, confusion,
frustration, empathy, unity, friendship, perseverance, longing, and hope. Even
with all the wonderful elements of the story, the most amazing element is that
the 126 page book is a graphic novel entirely illustrated with the absence of
legible words. Illustrator Shaun Tan is a master who visually conveys the story
and the emotions of his protagonist with so much detail in the art that the
reader understands what is happening and can relate to the emotional feelings
being portrayed. The book is intended for children from 12 years and older, but
adults, art lovers, comic book enthusiasts, and historical fiction aficionados
alike will enjoy and love the tale.
Critical
Analysis:
The story
begins with a married man and father who is shown packing his suitcase to start
a long trip. It is revealed that he and his family lives in an ominously bleak
country place and is about to migrate to another land. In many instances, the
reader sees through the eyes of the protagonist and can feel the emotions and confusion
as he feels it.
The story
begins in a dark and gloomy country that the protagonist wishes to migrate away
from. He journeys by way of passage ship to a new land with many other
immigrants. When he arrives he must go through the immigration process and
screenings required by the new country. Once allowed to enter the new country,
he is overwhelmed by the grandeur and variety of different cultures in the
area.
The main
thread of emotion that runs through the entire story is that of hope by the
protagonist. The reader can feel his hope of leaving his own country to start a
new life; the hope of integrating with those in the new country; and the hope
of bringing his family to live with him in the new land.
The
unique style of the tale is that of graphic novel illustrations without the use
of legible words. The author/illustrator does an exceptional job of telling a
story using only visual elements that can be interpreted differently by each
individual who experiences the story.
Review
Excerpt:
A few of the numerous awards received by this novel are, the ALA’s Top
Ten Great Graphic Novels for Teens in 2008; A School Library Journal Best Book
of 2007; Booklist Editors’ Choice 2007, A Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2007,
and Horn Book Fanfare Book 2007.
Jesse Karp wrote in the Booklist Starred Review, “Tan infuses this simple, universal narrative with
vibrant, resonating life through confident mastery of sequential art forms and
conventions. Strong visual metaphors convey personal longing, political
suppression, and totalitarian control; imaginative use of panel size and shape
powerfully depicts sensations and ideas as diverse as interminable waiting,
awe-inspiring majesty, and forlorn memories; delicate alterations in light and
color saturate the pages with a sense of time and place.”
Alan
Abbott wrote for the School Library Journal, “Young readers will be fascinated
by the strange new world the artist creates, complete with floating elevators
and unusual creatures, but may not realize the depth of meaning or understand
what the man's journey symbolizes. More sophisticated readers, however, will
grasp the sense of strangeness and find themselves participating in the man's
experiences. They will linger over the details in the beautiful sepia pictures
and will likely pick up the book to pore over it again and again.”
Connections:
Shaun Tan
is a master illustrator and excellent story teller. He has produced numerous
graphic novels including TALES FROM OUTER SUBURBIA and LOST & FOUND. Even
though these works do contain graphical art and text they both have offer the similar
artistic style found in THE ARRIVAL. With thought provoking and sometimes
shocking images, Shaun Tan draws readers into his books and has them return
again and again for more.
Personal
Response:
I am an
avid connoisseur of comic books. I enjoy all styles of comic books from superhero,
manga, classic literature, biographical, and fantasy. This particular fantasy story
is the first that I have experienced that is entirely graphical and does not
require the use of text to tell the story. Each time I look through the pages
of the story, I see an additional element, expression, or detail that I had not
noticed previously which enhances the story even more. Without the use of text,
the reader can create their own version of the story within the parameters of the
visual elements. I truly enjoyed this work of art and storytelling and would
recommend it to children, teens and adults alike.
References:
Amazon.com. (2013). TALES FROM
SUBURBIA. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Tales-From-Outer-Suburbia-Shaun/dp/0545055873/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_z
Amazon.com. (2013) LOST AND FOUND.
Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Lost-Found-Three-Shaun-Omnibus/dp/0545229243/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_z
Arthur A. Levine Books, (2005). THE
ARRIVAL book awards and reviews. Retrieved from http://www.arthuralevinebooks.com/book.asp?bookid=123
Good Books for Kids. (2013). THE
ARRIVAL book cover. Retrieved from http://www.booksforkids-reviews.com/2009_10_20_archive.html
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