Drawn and Quarterly, August 2008.
BOOKS READ 29: JAMILTI AND OTHER STORIES BY RUTU MODAN
One thing I used to be really into was going to the library, going to the graphic novel section and just picking out ones that looked interesting to me. It was incredibly satisfying, a small ritual that was really comforting to me.
Over time, due to either my really bad timing (all good graphic novels being gone when I come to the library) or because it seems that graphic novels (at least the kinds that I like, narratives about life) is still a very small genre that has a small handful of authors and is still developing, new, interesting stuff was few and far in between. I just stopped looking at graphic novels, I was kind of tired of just seeing Chris Ware (although yes, I do enjoy his work) and a bunch of anime and weird cartoon shit on the shelf.
But the other day, having time to kill, I looked, and there were a couple I hadn’t recognized, and this is one of them.
This is one of the best graphic novels I have read in so long, possibly ever. The artwork is beautiful, but the stories are really interesting and playful as well.
I really, really think you should read this.
And this is another thing that I like/dislike about graphic novels:
You can read it in half an hour.
But of course, a half an hour well spent.
