The immigration story is universal and eternal. Shaun Tan's The Arrival tells that story in sepia-toned drawings and completely without words. The worlds Tan creates are at once utterly fanciful and utterly familiar.A man leaves his wife and child, boards a steamer ship, and arrives at immigration in a new country. Lost, alone, and confused, the man slowly learns to cope and find a job. He makes friends and listens to their stories. Time passes, and he is finally able to send for his family.
That is the simple narration. The drawings fill in all rest.
This is a book I will look at time and time again. Whether you are living in the same house your ancestors built 500 years ago or you are the first person in your family to have been born in a new country, you will absolutely be amazed by this novel.
All images are from Shaun Tan's website.
Published by HarperCollins, 2007
ISBN 13: 9780439895293
Challenges: 100+
Source: Bought (see review policy)
YTD: 96
Rating: A
I am so glad that you enjoyed this one! I know I have raved enough about it to anyone who will listen!
ReplyDeleteI really ought to make "read Shaun Tan" one of New Year Resolutions! This sounds so amazing.
ReplyDeleteThis book looks awesome---on my list it goes. Thanks Beth
ReplyDeleteIt is the story of so many of our forefathers. I must find this one.
ReplyDeleteI stopped by your blog today - I'm always looking for new books for my book club and this sounds interesting - I love your restful blog picture. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteAnn
www.cozyintexas.blogspot.com
www.annsummerville.com
That looks wonderful- I'm going to have to look for it. I love immigration stories.
ReplyDeleteI so want to get hold of a copy of this one!
ReplyDeleteI thought thought the illustrations were absolutely spectacular! I plan to use a few of them in my English class as "story starters" in a creative writing lesson.
ReplyDeleteI had a lackluster reading year overall, but this one is listed as one of my faves I read in 2009. I just loved Tan's illustrations, and I'm fascinated by wordless picture books in general. I'm glad you enjoyed it so much! If you haven't already, try Tan's Tales from Outer Suburbia. It has words, but it's just as clever and beautifully illustrated.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you enjoyed this book. Tan is so talented and I've loved all that I've read by him. Andi's right, Tales from Outer Surburbia is just as good as this one if not better.
ReplyDeleteThose illustrations are stunning! I think I'd enjoy this one since I'm just second generation American.
ReplyDeleteI really need to see if my library has this! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas, Beth. :)
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your concise, beautifully written review. The illustrations in this book look gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteI have read about this book and about this author. I want to find it now. Thank you for this beautiful, simple review.
ReplyDeleteThis looks gorgeous! Thanks for the heads up :-)
ReplyDeleteHow did you hear of this book? It's new-to-me, and sounds fascinating; love that the story is told so much in pictures.
ReplyDeleteAnd the first line of your review is striking ... like the opening to a documentary!
This sounds like an incredibly powerful book. Like Dawn, I wonder how it came on your radar!
ReplyDeleteSounds fascinating ... and I've always enjoyed immigrant stories for some reason. They are very compelling.
ReplyDeletei love the images you put up--i'm going to the author's website to get more information on this book! thanks for reviewing it; i'm going to mention it to a friend of mine who teaches history for her unit on immigrants.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you enjoyed it Beth :D Wasn't it just beautiful? I can't even imagine the time that he put into this one!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you enjoyed this one! Isn't it just wonderful? I absolutely adored it.
ReplyDeleteDawn and Julie: I can't remember the exact details but my discovery of Tan went something like this:
ReplyDeleteDarren from Bart's Bookshelf mentioned two Tan books and linked to Chris from Stuff As Dreams Are Made On. I discovered Tan and immediately bought 2 books.
Then realized that Marg, Nymeth, Alea, Vasilly, and others were fans. Once I saw Tan's artwork, I knew I had to own his books.
The drawings are amazing as is the website. Now I have to find these books too.
ReplyDeleteThis one sounds good, and the illustrations are really very appealing.
ReplyDeleteThis was a beautiful piece of art wasn't it? I really enjoyed the otherworldly feel to it while it still portrayed an issue of modern life.
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