Habibi

Habibi
by Craig Thompson

Habibi is Craig Thompson's latest graphic novel bound, drawn and written with an exquisite attention to detail. The story follows two young slaves, Dodola and Zam, through the ins and outs of desert life, a harem and a developing urban center. The story transcends any specific time and place giving it a seemingly post modern setting. Thompson has clearly labored intensively to integrate the Arabic language throughout the book. While written in English, Arabic calligraphy is incorporated throughout, providing a stunning text layer to the backgrounds on many pages. The story itself is a rather dark romance. Dodola and Zam's story is filled with terrible tragedy. As Dodola and Zam face the environmental and social challenges of poverty and slavery, they incorporate mythical stories and Islamic parables into each problem in efforts to overcome. The book's binding and drawings are breathtaking. The drawings will make you feel as though you are looking at a fine art piece, not simply a graphic novel. [If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi, Ghost World by Daniel Clowes, Blankets by Craig Thompson, and Good-bye, Chunky Rice by Craig Thompson.] -- recommended by Glory B. - Bennett Martin Public Library


[ official Habibi web site ] | [ official Craig Thompson web site ]

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