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Aya #3
Aya de Yopougon, Tome 3
Aya has captured the hearts of North American readers of all ages for the rare portrait it paints of a vibrant, happy, bourgeois Ivory Coast in the 1970s, based upon Marguerite Abouet's youth in Yop City. Not only is Aya complemented with Clément Oubrerie's gorgeous artwork, but the volumes also offer a slice-of-life peek into African culture--complete with recipes, glossaries, and wardrobe instructions for turning one's "pagne" (brightly colored fabric) into a skirt, head wrap, or baby carrier. Engaging and fun, the universal stories in Aya provide a much-needed context for today's heartbreaking news stories.
Aya is the winner of the Best First Album award at the Angoulême International Comics Festival, the Children's Africana Book Award, and the Glyph Award; was nominated for the Quill Award, the YALSA's Great Graphic Novels list, and the Eisner Award; and was included on "best of" lists in The Washington Post, Booklist, , and School Library Journal.
126 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 11, 2007
8 people are currently reading
546 people want to read
About the author
Marguerite Abouet
44 books296 followersMarguerite Abouet was born in 1971 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, in Western Africa. She grew up during a time of great prosperity in the Ivory Coast. At the age of twelve, she and her old brother went to stay with a great-uncle in Paris, where they further pursued their education. Years later, after becoming a novelist for young adults, Abouet was drawn to telling the story of the world she remembered from her youth. The result was the graphic novel Aya de Yopougon, published in North America as Aya, illustrated by Clemént Oubrerie, that recalls Abouet's Ivory Coast childhood in the 1970s, and tells the humorous, engaging stories of her friends and family as they navigate a happy and prosperous time in that country's history.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
November 28, 2018
Hands down the best instalment in the Aya series so far. Some of you may recall that I was somewhat torn over the overtly light-hearted mood of this comic book series. Whilst I appreciate that Abouet tells the story of her adolescence in a fashion that dismantles all the clichés and negative associations that people in the Western world tend to have in regards to Africa, I felt that the series overall lacked in seriousness. In regards to certain themes, social and political consciousness and commentary is simply needed. I am beyond happy that Abouet delivered these in the third instalment.
She finally managed to deal with sensitive topics in a respectful yet highly engaging way. We discover that Albert is gay and has been spending quite some time with the local barber. When the latter embarks on his journey to Paris, Albert refuses to go along with him. He's conscious of the duties and expectations that rest on his shoulders being the eldest (and only) son in his family. He knows that they, especially his father, would never understand, let alone support, his relationship to another man. I found it touching (and realistic) to see how differently some of our main characters react to this revelation. Aya, who we have known to be open-minded, looks on this turn of events with kindness. Féli, however, who is known for being unexperienced and shy, is utterly confused and coy around both men.
I also appreciate the fact that the ever ongoing subplot of the husbands cheating on their wives, or rather wanting to take a second spouse, is no longer dismissed for funsies and jokes. The women finally speak up and defend themselves. I absolutely loved the scenes in which they were gossiping about their husbands with one another. It was good to see that certain characters who were rather flat in the first two instalments finally got fleshed out, especially Koffi's wive and Aya's mother.
As of right now, I am very happy with how the series is developing and I cannot wait to continue. Funnily enough, Aya is the one character in the series that we know the least about. Thus far, she has acted more as a silent observer, but I'm sure she'll get her spotlight soon enough, and we'll be able to follow her journey through medical school.
She finally managed to deal with sensitive topics in a respectful yet highly engaging way. We discover that Albert is gay and has been spending quite some time with the local barber. When the latter embarks on his journey to Paris, Albert refuses to go along with him. He's conscious of the duties and expectations that rest on his shoulders being the eldest (and only) son in his family. He knows that they, especially his father, would never understand, let alone support, his relationship to another man. I found it touching (and realistic) to see how differently some of our main characters react to this revelation. Aya, who we have known to be open-minded, looks on this turn of events with kindness. Féli, however, who is known for being unexperienced and shy, is utterly confused and coy around both men.
I also appreciate the fact that the ever ongoing subplot of the husbands cheating on their wives, or rather wanting to take a second spouse, is no longer dismissed for funsies and jokes. The women finally speak up and defend themselves. I absolutely loved the scenes in which they were gossiping about their husbands with one another. It was good to see that certain characters who were rather flat in the first two instalments finally got fleshed out, especially Koffi's wive and Aya's mother.
As of right now, I am very happy with how the series is developing and I cannot wait to continue. Funnily enough, Aya is the one character in the series that we know the least about. Thus far, she has acted more as a silent observer, but I'm sure she'll get her spotlight soon enough, and we'll be able to follow her journey through medical school.
April 16, 2020
This installment of Aya brought a whole lot more onto the scene. Opening with a beauty pageant in which the third place prize was a gallon oil, we're rethrust into a life so unlike our own, where husbands can take second wives, where the first wives run the house, where hairdressers are afraid to come out as gay lest they be killed, where mechanics don't know the first thing about financial literacy.
And then there's Aya. She's there for everyone. She helps her friends practice for the pageant. She goes out to eat with her friend, the hairdresser, who confides in her. She joins her best friends' families in having conversations about mistresses, second wives, and second houses. How does she do it all? Even she doesn't know, but it's all that she can do to make sure her life around her doesn't fall apart. Someone needs to take care of the foundations.
With Abouet's narrrative style and Oubrerie's illustrations, this third Aya makes things less business-like and more personal, which of course means even more uncertainty. This series never disappoints!
Review cross-listed here!
And then there's Aya. She's there for everyone. She helps her friends practice for the pageant. She goes out to eat with her friend, the hairdresser, who confides in her. She joins her best friends' families in having conversations about mistresses, second wives, and second houses. How does she do it all? Even she doesn't know, but it's all that she can do to make sure her life around her doesn't fall apart. Someone needs to take care of the foundations.
With Abouet's narrrative style and Oubrerie's illustrations, this third Aya makes things less business-like and more personal, which of course means even more uncertainty. This series never disappoints!
Review cross-listed here!
June 20, 2015
This is a fun series and a consistent one - once you've read the first book (and you really do need to read them in order), you know what you're getting. The more time I spent with Aya and her family and friends, the more involved in their lives I felt: this is a fun story that draws you in, with a quick pace, believable characters and colorful, evocative artwork that really brings to life the Ivory Coast of the 1970s. Abouet deals with some heavy topics, like patriarchy and sexual mores, in a story that's fun rather than dour; however, it still seems to me that if (as the marketing seems to claim) these books represent the Ivory Coast (let alone all of Africa) at its best, that country has a long way to go.
At any rate, I'm definitely enjoying this series; the third book has a solid conclusion, but I look forward to reading the following volumes.
At any rate, I'm definitely enjoying this series; the third book has a solid conclusion, but I look forward to reading the following volumes.
November 13, 2009
what can i say? this series is excellent. the art is so endearing and refreshing! the stories are hilarious, thought-provoking and realistic. my only thing is that i wish aya's character would evolve a bit more. i want something to happen to and for her. i want her to be changed by her experience. she's always untouched (figuratively and literally).
im tempted to buy the last two installments of the series and try my french...but i should probably just wait for the english translations, ha ha.
i highly recommend these graphic novels to EVERYONE.it's so nice to see a portrayal of africa that is not focused on disease, war, death, and sadness. not to say that these things do not exist in africa. it's just that africa has many sides, positive and negative. both should get equal "story" time.
im tempted to buy the last two installments of the series and try my french...but i should probably just wait for the english translations, ha ha.
i highly recommend these graphic novels to EVERYONE.it's so nice to see a portrayal of africa that is not focused on disease, war, death, and sadness. not to say that these things do not exist in africa. it's just that africa has many sides, positive and negative. both should get equal "story" time.
July 19, 2024
Bonne progression pour la série, avec un ton assez sérieux dans ce volume. J'ai trouvé les thèmes abordés intéressants, notamment la polygamie et la place des femmes dans la société. Les personnages évoluent d'un tome à l'autre et les graphismes sont toujours agréables.
April 25, 2010
A sunny, funny soap opera following the intersecting lives of four families in late 1970s/early 1980s Côte d'Ivoire, Aya fuses an easygoing tone and visual style to what could easily be dark and emotionally wrenching plot elements: poverty, infidelity, heartbreak, filial resentment, and social intolerance. I keep waiting for the story to pull the rug out from under its characters; but, three volumes into the series, it hasn't happened. Aya gives us an amiable anti-suburbia: its well-inhabited public spaces, fast-moving local gossip, and commitment to extended family are both familiar and thrillingly alien to me, somebody for whom community is mostly something that happens on the Internet. Clément Oubrerie's drawings are fast but clean, unfussily perfect. His women are easy on the eyes in a way that recalls Dennis's mom, Betty, Veronica -- fitting, since you might say that Aya is my Archie.
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Or maybe my Gossip Girl?
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Or maybe my Gossip Girl?
December 18, 2014
A recent string of interactions with comics-afficianado Michael (fan of everything from W.G. Sebald to the Silver Surfer) reminded me of the power of visual storytelling. Unfortunately, without the budget to buy most titles I’m restricted to local libraries, where the range is small and quality variable. Still, when I came across Aya I was sold. A social-realist comic book set in the Ivory Coast in the 70s, printed by Montreal’s Drawn and Quarterly, this – at least in my experience – is pretty unique. It’s also charming, funny, filled with memorable characters and tackles hot-button issues (patriarchy, adultery, multiple wives, homosexuality) with empathy and aplomb. The drawing pulls you in, the plot is straightforward and gripping, and at the end I was left curious about the companion volumes. I think Aya is something special.
February 6, 2017
Update!! Full Written Review: http://www.bookishrealmreviews.com/20...
This definitely was just as good as the first two volumes. I can't wait to do a full written and video review of this series. If you haven't read it yet you definitely need to check it out and soon.
This definitely was just as good as the first two volumes. I can't wait to do a full written and video review of this series. If you haven't read it yet you definitely need to check it out and soon.
February 4, 2026
J’ai beaucoup aimé ce tome 3 d’Aya de Yopougon. À partir de ce volume, on entre dans des intrigues qui n’ont pas été adaptées à la télé, et ça se sent : les thématiques deviennent plus actuelles.
On y aborde notamment l’homosexualité, la polygamie, les tromperies, les non-dits, et plus largement les réalités sociales et relationnelles que l’on peut encore observer aujourd’hui, le tout dans le contexte de la Côte d’Ivoire des années 80, ce qui rend la lecture encore plus intéressante.
J’ai adoré la façon dont la BD mélange légèreté, humour et sujets sérieux, sans jamais tomber dans le jugement. C’est une lecture simple, rapide, très accessible, mais qui fait réfléchir. Chaque tome se lit facilement, tout en donnant envie d’enchaîner le suivant.
On y aborde notamment l’homosexualité, la polygamie, les tromperies, les non-dits, et plus largement les réalités sociales et relationnelles que l’on peut encore observer aujourd’hui, le tout dans le contexte de la Côte d’Ivoire des années 80, ce qui rend la lecture encore plus intéressante.
J’ai adoré la façon dont la BD mélange légèreté, humour et sujets sérieux, sans jamais tomber dans le jugement. C’est une lecture simple, rapide, très accessible, mais qui fait réfléchir. Chaque tome se lit facilement, tout en donnant envie d’enchaîner le suivant.
April 29, 2010
Last summer, in dire need of some pure escapism, I stumbled upon the four-volume Aya comic book series. Inspired by author Marguerite Abouet’s childhood, this series takes us back to the late 1970s on the Ivory Coast to a suburb of Abidjan, Yopougon, known affectionately as Yop City to its residents. What initially piqued my interest was finding a series taken from the point of view of Aya, a nineteen-year-old African woman—indeed a rare occurrence. Although the bright and studious Aya is the main character, the storyline revolves around the lives of three Yop city families: Aya’s and those of her two friends, Bintou and Adjoua.
Aya is different from her friends. She is serious and plans to become a doctor, while her friends prefer the nightlife of the maquis, a type of outdoor restaurant and dance bar. Aya is a friend to many in her community. She empowers the powerless, but also puts her friends in their place when they need it. Aya is not perfect, and her family has its share of problems.
In The Secrets Come Out, the third volume of the series, the mistress of Aya’s father stirs the pot when she arrives unannounced on his doorstep with two additional little surprises. Aya is deeply ashamed of her father’s behaviour and begs her mother to teach the wayward Ignace a lesson. This event is quickly overshadowed by the announcement of the skinny and bespectacled Koffi, Bintou's father, that he is going to take a second wife the same age as his daughter. His news creates an uproariously funny fallout in the community. Of the four volumes, The Secrets Come Out is by far the most humorous.
Instead of concentrating on the various scourges that plague Africa, the Aya series presents the quickly changing fortunes of people living on the Ivory Coast, and there are also a few bonus features at the back of the book to get you better acquainted with some of the customs, recipes, and lingo used there. We see an Africa replete with intrigue, beauty, and humour. The Yop City of the late 1970s mirrors many of the same social issues that we were dealing with ourselves at the time in North America: homosexuality, infidelity and the changing roles of women. As for polygamy, although it is illegal, we can’t forget that it is practiced in North America.
Although the story of Aya will draw you in, it is the panels by Clément Oubrerie that gives this series its pure escapism. Not only are his drawings good, but his choice of colours are exceptional. I particularly enjoyed the range of blues and violets that he used for the night scenes. This is an excellent translation from the original French series.
Review by Heather Leighton
Aya is different from her friends. She is serious and plans to become a doctor, while her friends prefer the nightlife of the maquis, a type of outdoor restaurant and dance bar. Aya is a friend to many in her community. She empowers the powerless, but also puts her friends in their place when they need it. Aya is not perfect, and her family has its share of problems.
In The Secrets Come Out, the third volume of the series, the mistress of Aya’s father stirs the pot when she arrives unannounced on his doorstep with two additional little surprises. Aya is deeply ashamed of her father’s behaviour and begs her mother to teach the wayward Ignace a lesson. This event is quickly overshadowed by the announcement of the skinny and bespectacled Koffi, Bintou's father, that he is going to take a second wife the same age as his daughter. His news creates an uproariously funny fallout in the community. Of the four volumes, The Secrets Come Out is by far the most humorous.
Instead of concentrating on the various scourges that plague Africa, the Aya series presents the quickly changing fortunes of people living on the Ivory Coast, and there are also a few bonus features at the back of the book to get you better acquainted with some of the customs, recipes, and lingo used there. We see an Africa replete with intrigue, beauty, and humour. The Yop City of the late 1970s mirrors many of the same social issues that we were dealing with ourselves at the time in North America: homosexuality, infidelity and the changing roles of women. As for polygamy, although it is illegal, we can’t forget that it is practiced in North America.
Although the story of Aya will draw you in, it is the panels by Clément Oubrerie that gives this series its pure escapism. Not only are his drawings good, but his choice of colours are exceptional. I particularly enjoyed the range of blues and violets that he used for the night scenes. This is an excellent translation from the original French series.
Review by Heather Leighton
January 7, 2019
Ich bin eigentlich nicht so ein Fan von Graphic Novels. Ich mag das alte "Comic" lieber. Beim Durchblättern im Laden hat die Serie mich auch nicht direkt angesprochen. Zu Unrecht.
Selten so ein sympathisches Werk gelesen. Die ganze Kultur, der ganze Lifestyle der Elfenbeinküste in eine Serie mit knallbunten Charakteren gepackt. Man bekommt gar nicht mehr genug von den Protagonisten, die hier aufeinandertreffen wie in einer afrikanischen Telenovela.
Leider ist nach diesem dritten Band beim Carlsen Verlag Schluss. Jetzt muss ich dringend schauen wo ich die restlichen drei Bände lesen kann.
Ich fühle mich schon wie auf Entzug!
Ich liebe außerdem die Zeichnungen von Clement Oubrerie, die vielleicht auf den ersten Blick einfach wirken, einen aber im Laufe der Geschichte immer mehr in den Bann ziehen.So tolle Farben. Optisch gefallen mir vor allem Bonaventure und Hervé, die sehen einfach zum Schießen aus. Ein Werk das voller Liebe steckt. Top, deh!
Selten so ein sympathisches Werk gelesen. Die ganze Kultur, der ganze Lifestyle der Elfenbeinküste in eine Serie mit knallbunten Charakteren gepackt. Man bekommt gar nicht mehr genug von den Protagonisten, die hier aufeinandertreffen wie in einer afrikanischen Telenovela.
Leider ist nach diesem dritten Band beim Carlsen Verlag Schluss. Jetzt muss ich dringend schauen wo ich die restlichen drei Bände lesen kann.
Ich fühle mich schon wie auf Entzug!
Ich liebe außerdem die Zeichnungen von Clement Oubrerie, die vielleicht auf den ersten Blick einfach wirken, einen aber im Laufe der Geschichte immer mehr in den Bann ziehen.So tolle Farben. Optisch gefallen mir vor allem Bonaventure und Hervé, die sehen einfach zum Schießen aus. Ein Werk das voller Liebe steckt. Top, deh!
September 14, 2013
It's getting better and better. Unfortunately I have to wait until Thursday to get books 4, 5, and 6. The saga continues.....
August 25, 2019
Einzelne Nachteil, man kann nicht aufhören zu lesen.
September 26, 2019
rep: Ivorian cast, side gay character
3.5 ☆
she keeps ending the volumes on cliffhangers but no library in the COUNTRY has the next one :(((
3.5 ☆
she keeps ending the volumes on cliffhangers but no library in the COUNTRY has the next one :(((
Read
October 23, 2022J’adoooore le tournant que ça prend!!
September 22, 2025
so i need them to translate the rest of the series asap
June 11, 2013
Im Jahr 1980 rüstet sich Youpougon für einen Miss-Wettbewerb. Schneider Sidiki steht der Schweiß auf der Stirn; denn seine kleine Werkstatt wird von den Mädchen des Stadtviertels belagert, die auf ihr Kleid warten. Beim Schönheitswettbewerb treffen westliche Schönheitsideale auf traditionelle afrikanische Vorstellungen von der Attraktivität rundlicher Frauen. Ayas Familie ist schockiert vom Auftauchen der langjährigen Geliebten von Vater Ignace, die demonstrativ ihre beiden Kinder zurücklässt, damit sie ihre älteren Geschwister kennenlernen. Ignace wird von Jeanne unter Druck gesetzt, die Vaterschaft anzuerkennen. Ingnace kann zwei Familien gar nicht unterhalten und verlässt sich reichlich blauäugig darauf, dass seine Frau Fanta ihn wegen seines Lebenswandels schon nicht vor die Tür setzen wird. Aya zeigt sich empört und verlangt von ihrer Mutter, sich Ignaces Verhalten nicht länger bieten zu lassen. Ayas Freundinnen sind erheblich konservativer eingestellt; sie finden, es sei das Los der Frauen, untreue oder faule Männer zu ertragen.
Grégoire, ein junger Mann, für den Bintou schwärmt, hängt untätig zu Hause rum. Im zweiten Band hatte er Bintou gegenüber noch den wohlhabenden Lebemann gemimt, der die Frau seines Lebens sucht. Grégoires Mutter würde lieber sehen, dass er zum Arbeiten zurück nach Frankreich geht und sie weiter finanziell unterstützt. Dass in Frankreich nicht alles so toll ist, wie Grégoire die Daheimgebliebenen glauben lässt, kann man sich leicht vorstellen. Bintous Vater Koffi (die Väter der Mädchen sind ebenfalls miteinander befreundet) will sich eine zweite Frau nehmen, die im Alter seiner Tochter ist. Seine Chancen stehen schlecht, da seine Frau einen größeren Teil zum Haushaltseinkommen beiträgt als er und gut ohne ihn auskommen könnte.
Das Begräbnis eines "jungen Mannes, der nach kurzer Krankheit starb" in Bonaventure Sissokos Verwandtschaft könnte auf die Aids-Problematik deuten. Hervé, Bintous unbedarfter Cousin, der von der pfiffigen Aya Unterstützung in praktischen Angelegenheiten des Alltags erhält, zeigt in diesem Band unerwartete Qualitäten als zukünftiger Geschäftspartner Adjounas. Auch Inno, der Frisör, hat private Probleme und überlegt, nach Frankreich auszuwandern.
Im dritten Band der Reihe wird das Konfliktpotential in afrikanischen Familien deutlich, wenn Männer Kinder zeugen, für deren Unterhalt sie sich nicht zuständig fühlen und Frauen die Erwerbs- und Haushaltsarbeit weitgehend allein leisten. Die Last der Söhne, den Vorstellungen ihrer Väter von einem würdigen Nachfolger zu entsprechen, zeigt sich am Beispiel Moussas. Grégoire sieht sich der Erwartung gegenüber, seiner Familie regelmäßig Geld aus dem Ausland nach Hause zu senden. Auch der Bonustrack im Anhang hat Konflikte in afrikanische Großfamilien zum Thema. Dass die Betroffenen ihre Situation nicht so optimistisch sehen, wie Marguerite Abouét es uns in ihrer Erläuterung glauben macht, haben uns kurz zuvor noch die verschiedenen Schicksale in ihrer Graphic Novel gezeigt. Das Personenverzeichnis vorn im Buch (mit Portraits!) hat mir geholfen, fünf Familien zahlreiche Kinder und Partner richtig zuzuordnen. Trotz charakteristischer Frisuren der Frauen und unterschiedlichen Stadien der Kahlheit bei den Männern ist das nicht einfach. In die Handlung dieses 126 Seiten umfangreichen Bands sind mehrere Rückblenden eingeschoben. Liebevolle Details der Roben afrikanischer "Mamas" und außergewöhnliche Frisuren der jungen Frauen, sowie die von Abouet gewohnten schlagfertigen Dialoge werden sicher nicht nur jugendliche Leser ab 14 begeistern, für die der Verlag diese Reihe empfiehlt.
Grégoire, ein junger Mann, für den Bintou schwärmt, hängt untätig zu Hause rum. Im zweiten Band hatte er Bintou gegenüber noch den wohlhabenden Lebemann gemimt, der die Frau seines Lebens sucht. Grégoires Mutter würde lieber sehen, dass er zum Arbeiten zurück nach Frankreich geht und sie weiter finanziell unterstützt. Dass in Frankreich nicht alles so toll ist, wie Grégoire die Daheimgebliebenen glauben lässt, kann man sich leicht vorstellen. Bintous Vater Koffi (die Väter der Mädchen sind ebenfalls miteinander befreundet) will sich eine zweite Frau nehmen, die im Alter seiner Tochter ist. Seine Chancen stehen schlecht, da seine Frau einen größeren Teil zum Haushaltseinkommen beiträgt als er und gut ohne ihn auskommen könnte.
Das Begräbnis eines "jungen Mannes, der nach kurzer Krankheit starb" in Bonaventure Sissokos Verwandtschaft könnte auf die Aids-Problematik deuten. Hervé, Bintous unbedarfter Cousin, der von der pfiffigen Aya Unterstützung in praktischen Angelegenheiten des Alltags erhält, zeigt in diesem Band unerwartete Qualitäten als zukünftiger Geschäftspartner Adjounas. Auch Inno, der Frisör, hat private Probleme und überlegt, nach Frankreich auszuwandern.
Im dritten Band der Reihe wird das Konfliktpotential in afrikanischen Familien deutlich, wenn Männer Kinder zeugen, für deren Unterhalt sie sich nicht zuständig fühlen und Frauen die Erwerbs- und Haushaltsarbeit weitgehend allein leisten. Die Last der Söhne, den Vorstellungen ihrer Väter von einem würdigen Nachfolger zu entsprechen, zeigt sich am Beispiel Moussas. Grégoire sieht sich der Erwartung gegenüber, seiner Familie regelmäßig Geld aus dem Ausland nach Hause zu senden. Auch der Bonustrack im Anhang hat Konflikte in afrikanische Großfamilien zum Thema. Dass die Betroffenen ihre Situation nicht so optimistisch sehen, wie Marguerite Abouét es uns in ihrer Erläuterung glauben macht, haben uns kurz zuvor noch die verschiedenen Schicksale in ihrer Graphic Novel gezeigt. Das Personenverzeichnis vorn im Buch (mit Portraits!) hat mir geholfen, fünf Familien zahlreiche Kinder und Partner richtig zuzuordnen. Trotz charakteristischer Frisuren der Frauen und unterschiedlichen Stadien der Kahlheit bei den Männern ist das nicht einfach. In die Handlung dieses 126 Seiten umfangreichen Bands sind mehrere Rückblenden eingeschoben. Liebevolle Details der Roben afrikanischer "Mamas" und außergewöhnliche Frisuren der jungen Frauen, sowie die von Abouet gewohnten schlagfertigen Dialoge werden sicher nicht nur jugendliche Leser ab 14 begeistern, für die der Verlag diese Reihe empfiehlt.
July 29, 2011
Aya
Written by Marguerite Abouet
Art by Clement Oubrerie
The standard narrative of any story set in Africa includes an empathy numbing array of horrors: Child Soldiers wielding machetes and AK-47's, famine, rape, AIDS, corruption, slavery. The desire to call attention to this awfulness is understandable, important even. Yet by having tragedy so omnipresent, it dehumanizes those dealing with that as a part of their life. Marguerite Abouet's series Aya consciously bucks this trend. The charming stories of family and community are startling in their lack of the tragic conventions inherent in most "African stories."
Set in the Ivory Coast in the late 70's, "Aya" and its' sequels "Aya of Yop City" and "Aya the Secrets Come Out" play like an African sitcom. Cute little vignettes of a middle class family. Girls sneaking out at night to meet boys, Dads getting drunk and dancing at weddings, the goofy neighbor kid harboring a not so secret crush. Scandals and secrets are revealed for comedic effect, lessons are learned, or not. The title character is a beautiful and honorable teenager who works hard at school in hopes of becoming a doctor. While her friends flutter about crying and delighting over the latest news about their newest boyfriends, Aya is the stalwart friend the whole community admires. The kind of character you'd name your daughter after.
Clement Oubrerie's illustrations are vibrant and warm, evocative. You can hear the chickens squawk, feel the dust on your skin, and hear the music at the nightclubs. His talent is perfect for the book, complementing Abouet as if the two had lived in the Ivory Coast their entire lives.
In the back of each book is the Ivorian bonus section where characters from the story give recipes, explain fashions, and teach you the Ivorian sayings and exclamations liberally used in the dialogue. It's a nice touch that actually helps the reader feel like a part of this special little community.
Which, ultimately, is what these books are about. By bringing us in to her childhood home, Abouet is sharing with us the love, humor, and fun present in African life. And by sharing these treasures with us we get to feel something that's increasingly difficult to obtain in America, a true sense of community.
Read if: you are interested in Africa beyond the headlines; you've lived in the developing world, or would like to.
Buy for: World wise girlfriends who think comics are for teenage boys; teenage girls who have the potential to be really cool.
Written by Marguerite Abouet
Art by Clement Oubrerie
The standard narrative of any story set in Africa includes an empathy numbing array of horrors: Child Soldiers wielding machetes and AK-47's, famine, rape, AIDS, corruption, slavery. The desire to call attention to this awfulness is understandable, important even. Yet by having tragedy so omnipresent, it dehumanizes those dealing with that as a part of their life. Marguerite Abouet's series Aya consciously bucks this trend. The charming stories of family and community are startling in their lack of the tragic conventions inherent in most "African stories."
Set in the Ivory Coast in the late 70's, "Aya" and its' sequels "Aya of Yop City" and "Aya the Secrets Come Out" play like an African sitcom. Cute little vignettes of a middle class family. Girls sneaking out at night to meet boys, Dads getting drunk and dancing at weddings, the goofy neighbor kid harboring a not so secret crush. Scandals and secrets are revealed for comedic effect, lessons are learned, or not. The title character is a beautiful and honorable teenager who works hard at school in hopes of becoming a doctor. While her friends flutter about crying and delighting over the latest news about their newest boyfriends, Aya is the stalwart friend the whole community admires. The kind of character you'd name your daughter after.
Clement Oubrerie's illustrations are vibrant and warm, evocative. You can hear the chickens squawk, feel the dust on your skin, and hear the music at the nightclubs. His talent is perfect for the book, complementing Abouet as if the two had lived in the Ivory Coast their entire lives.
In the back of each book is the Ivorian bonus section where characters from the story give recipes, explain fashions, and teach you the Ivorian sayings and exclamations liberally used in the dialogue. It's a nice touch that actually helps the reader feel like a part of this special little community.
Which, ultimately, is what these books are about. By bringing us in to her childhood home, Abouet is sharing with us the love, humor, and fun present in African life. And by sharing these treasures with us we get to feel something that's increasingly difficult to obtain in America, a true sense of community.
Read if: you are interested in Africa beyond the headlines; you've lived in the developing world, or would like to.
Buy for: World wise girlfriends who think comics are for teenage boys; teenage girls who have the potential to be really cool.
February 15, 2017
Tercera entrega de las historias de Aya, una chica bien peculiar de Costa de Marfil. En esta oportunidad se plantea el conflicto de Felicite la niña que fue "comprada" a un pariente campesino y es reclamada por su padre, instigado por las malas lenguas que le dicen que se ha hecho rica. Por una parte revela un respeto por las tradiciones y apego al pueblo y la parentela de origen, aunque para un occidental resulte chocante la manera en que se dispone del destino de los hijos o mujeres. Los vejetes pueden tomar más de una esposa, pueden disponer si sus hijos van a pertenecer a otra familia (que se hará cargo de su alimentación y educación, aunque muchas veces solo serán sirvientes).
Por otra parte, aborda el tema de la homosexualidad y la condena social que sufría (sufre) en esa cultura, a la vez que plantea la necesidad de permanecer "en el closet" o arriesgarse demasiado. Resulta mucho más tentador esconderse o soñar con viajar a Francia, donde el anonimato puede facilitar mucho las cosas. Todas estas viscisitudes del barrio, contrastan con la vida de los más acomodados, que tienen otra clase de problemas, como el empresario que tiene un hijo problema "bueno para nada" o el profesor universitario que intenta aprovecharse de todas sus alumnas. A todo esto, Aya parece siempre estar más por los demás que por sí misma, salvo el estudio. Dan ganas de que no acabe nunca y las 120 páginas se hacen pocas.
Cabe destacar que cada tomo tiene un anexo "bonus marfileño" donde aparecen recetas o explicaciones sobre aspectos culturales que nos permiten entender un poco más.
Por otra parte, aborda el tema de la homosexualidad y la condena social que sufría (sufre) en esa cultura, a la vez que plantea la necesidad de permanecer "en el closet" o arriesgarse demasiado. Resulta mucho más tentador esconderse o soñar con viajar a Francia, donde el anonimato puede facilitar mucho las cosas. Todas estas viscisitudes del barrio, contrastan con la vida de los más acomodados, que tienen otra clase de problemas, como el empresario que tiene un hijo problema "bueno para nada" o el profesor universitario que intenta aprovecharse de todas sus alumnas. A todo esto, Aya parece siempre estar más por los demás que por sí misma, salvo el estudio. Dan ganas de que no acabe nunca y las 120 páginas se hacen pocas.
Cabe destacar que cada tomo tiene un anexo "bonus marfileño" donde aparecen recetas o explicaciones sobre aspectos culturales que nos permiten entender un poco más.
September 3, 2013
This wonderful series centers on a group of family and friends in 1970s Cote d'Ivoire. It's a warm, funny, catty and abundantly human look at life in a different, but familiar, culture.
Aya, the title character, is a teen girl whose family resists her desire to go to medical school. She's level-headed and kind, traits rarely echoed in the characters surrounding her.
This third volume in the series deals with the consequences of her dad's long-time infidelity, an act that surprises Aya but no one else in their social circle. There's also a beauty pageant, a clandestine gay romance, faithless boyfriends, first businesses and potential second wives. Above all, there's the big decision: stay and struggle for riches and freedom at home or take a shot at Paris and a better life, even if it's likely you'll just end up cleaning hotel rooms.
The art by Clément Oubrerie is lively and colorful, conjuring a warm climate and outgoing people. But the dialogue by Marguerite Abouet does even more to set the sense of place, offering tons of knowing (and know-it-all) lines as people flirt on the street, fight with friends, and struggle to find the right romance.
Abouet's characters aren't afraid to speak their minds, which leads to fun exchanges and a lively pace. The story builds to a moving ending, one that leaves you eager to see what comes next.
Aya, the title character, is a teen girl whose family resists her desire to go to medical school. She's level-headed and kind, traits rarely echoed in the characters surrounding her.
This third volume in the series deals with the consequences of her dad's long-time infidelity, an act that surprises Aya but no one else in their social circle. There's also a beauty pageant, a clandestine gay romance, faithless boyfriends, first businesses and potential second wives. Above all, there's the big decision: stay and struggle for riches and freedom at home or take a shot at Paris and a better life, even if it's likely you'll just end up cleaning hotel rooms.
The art by Clément Oubrerie is lively and colorful, conjuring a warm climate and outgoing people. But the dialogue by Marguerite Abouet does even more to set the sense of place, offering tons of knowing (and know-it-all) lines as people flirt on the street, fight with friends, and struggle to find the right romance.
Abouet's characters aren't afraid to speak their minds, which leads to fun exchanges and a lively pace. The story builds to a moving ending, one that leaves you eager to see what comes next.
August 25, 2019
Y llegó la tormenta. Después de dos números donde primaba la ligereza, en esta entrega Abouet empieza a abordar los problemas profundos de Yop City. Las dos líneas argumentales principales (un marido que tenía otra familia, un hombre que quiere tener una segunda esposa mucho más joven que él) se entremezclan con el concurso de belleza del barrio (que no viene exento de sus propios problemas) y el descubrimiento que uno de los personajes ha mantenido una relación homosexual que ahora se ve amenazada con salir a la luz.
Sin perder el humor que caracteriza a esta serie, por fin nos encontramos con discusiones reales sobre el papel de la mujer, los hijos, los límites sociales o las expectativas que nos ciegan. Lo mejor es que en el relato de Abouet ninguna de estas cuestiones tiene una respuesta clara. No se trata de que todos los personajes se vuelvan feministas o defensores de los derechos de otros. Cada uno de los personajes tiene su propia forma de entender el mundo, y de reaccionar ante él, y la riqueza de este tomo se encuentra en mostrar precisamente contra qué límites y cómo deciden luchar (o no) cada uno de los personajes. Sin duda, una visión mucho más interesante que el costumbrismo que habíamos visto hasta ahora. Si en los próximos números conseguimos conocer a Aya, que hasta ahora se ha limitado a ser una pura observadora, la evolución ya sería redonda.
Sin perder el humor que caracteriza a esta serie, por fin nos encontramos con discusiones reales sobre el papel de la mujer, los hijos, los límites sociales o las expectativas que nos ciegan. Lo mejor es que en el relato de Abouet ninguna de estas cuestiones tiene una respuesta clara. No se trata de que todos los personajes se vuelvan feministas o defensores de los derechos de otros. Cada uno de los personajes tiene su propia forma de entender el mundo, y de reaccionar ante él, y la riqueza de este tomo se encuentra en mostrar precisamente contra qué límites y cómo deciden luchar (o no) cada uno de los personajes. Sin duda, una visión mucho más interesante que el costumbrismo que habíamos visto hasta ahora. Si en los próximos números conseguimos conocer a Aya, que hasta ahora se ha limitado a ser una pura observadora, la evolución ya sería redonda.
June 3, 2011
Aya: The Secrets Come Out is the third book in Marguerite Abouet's series about a young girl living in Ivory Coast in the 1970s. And without a doubt, this book is as engaging and lively as its two predecessors. I find the life that Abouet depicts and Oubrerie brings to life via his artwork fascinating to read. There are some things in the book that mirror life in the West perfectly--like the discussions of homosexuality, the desire to succeed, Aya's dream of being a doctor, etc. Then there are other elements, like the depiction of everyday life (and this is especially seen in the Oubrerie's joyful images) that are so different than life in America--Aya bathing her young sister in a tub in the backyard, the vat of oil Felicite wins at a beauty pageant, the maquis, the koutoku, etc and this makes the graphic novel all the more enjoyable. I've enjoyed this series so much that I'll give it the highest praise I possibly could: I hope one day to get the opportunity to teach at least one of the books of this series. I love sharing these kinds of texts with students.
January 21, 2011
I really regret having to read this book before the first book in the series ("Aya"). For some reason, my position on the hold list is going up, instead of going down.
"Aya: The Secrets Come Out" was exactly as promised (full of scandalous secrets), and very enjoyable. It was the kind of story that could have happened anywhere, with strategic detail that placed in firmly on the Ivory Coast of the late 70's. The characters are interesting and three dimensional, and they change over the course of the story. The main characters are young women, who seem newly liberated. This leads to interesting themes, as the clash with the older established order. In the third book, especially, the question is asked, and goes unresolved, if you never take a stand, how will things ever get better?
I really hope the books continue to be translated.
"Aya: The Secrets Come Out" was exactly as promised (full of scandalous secrets), and very enjoyable. It was the kind of story that could have happened anywhere, with strategic detail that placed in firmly on the Ivory Coast of the late 70's. The characters are interesting and three dimensional, and they change over the course of the story. The main characters are young women, who seem newly liberated. This leads to interesting themes, as the clash with the older established order. In the third book, especially, the question is asked, and goes unresolved, if you never take a stand, how will things ever get better?
I really hope the books continue to be translated.
January 6, 2016
C’est encore une fois à travers des éléments tout simple de la vie de tous les jours que ce troisième tome d’Aya de Yopougon nous amène découvrir la Côte d’Ivoire.
Mais cette fois, au delà des traditionnelles préoccupations des trois filles, l’homosexualité et la polygamie s’invitent aussi dans le débat.
Ce sont des thèmes qui se rajoutent aux nombreux déjà traités et c’est fait avec beaucoup de justesse, notamment à travers Albert et Innocent, qui ont deux visions radicalement différentes de leur futur.
Heureusement, ce n’est jamais plombant et j’ai aussi rigolé bien souvent avec cette élection de Miss Yopougon pleine de rebondissements.
C’est cet humour qui fait toue la différence et qui me permet d’apprécier ma lecture, jamais ennuyeuse et toujours pleine de bonne humeur.
Mais cette fois, au delà des traditionnelles préoccupations des trois filles, l’homosexualité et la polygamie s’invitent aussi dans le débat.
Ce sont des thèmes qui se rajoutent aux nombreux déjà traités et c’est fait avec beaucoup de justesse, notamment à travers Albert et Innocent, qui ont deux visions radicalement différentes de leur futur.
Heureusement, ce n’est jamais plombant et j’ai aussi rigolé bien souvent avec cette élection de Miss Yopougon pleine de rebondissements.
C’est cet humour qui fait toue la différence et qui me permet d’apprécier ma lecture, jamais ennuyeuse et toujours pleine de bonne humeur.
March 14, 2010
This is the third book in this series, and I confess I have not read the first two. The title- The Secrets Come Out is pretty revealing, as a huge cast of characters have revelations that are major to the core of the story. The writing is very crisp and makes the reader have an appreciation for the Ivory Coast even though I don't know too much about it.The art is really good and totally fits with the story, Very nice collaboration between the writer/artist. The question would have to be, if I liked the third volume so much, will I go back to read the first two ? My answer is- if I can find the time.
December 16, 2019
I loved the third installment in this slice of life / soap opera graphic novel about life at the Ivory Coast in 1980 so much that I will bite the bullet and brush up on my (very bad) school days French to read the next tome, since number four has neither been translated into German, English or Italian. Wish me luck!
As for this third book: It really picked up speed after the okay first tome and the better and more suspensful second one. This installment brought more meaningful themes into the storyline, like the (taboo) homosexual love story between two men and the (much needed) feminist stance that Aya brings into the lives or her family and girlfriends.
As for this third book: It really picked up speed after the okay first tome and the better and more suspensful second one. This installment brought more meaningful themes into the storyline, like the (taboo) homosexual love story between two men and the (much needed) feminist stance that Aya brings into the lives or her family and girlfriends.
August 7, 2017
A satisfying conclusion. Or is it? I wasn't surprised when the hairstylist turned out to be gay. I was surprised at the identity of his lover. I still had some questions when it finished. A neat aspect about these books are the recipes. They sound marvelous. Aya and her friends contribute to the recipes. I appreciate how the variations of African women get presented. No different from other nationality. Some endure as submissive, others survive as dominant. Everyone decides how much nonsense they can tolerate.
November 2, 2009
this is the first volume of Aya that i truly liked. the slowly-simmering problems, infidelities, and secret relationships are all brought to the fore. the same characters are present, but somehow this volume is more captivating. a beauty pageant, second wives, queer love, money problems and philandering provide a tempestuous air to this continuing tale of village life. now. give me more graphic novels set in Africa.
August 31, 2010
I love the feel of the AYA books and how well-rounded these Ivory Coast villagers are. The book never makes any of these characters victims of anything but their own human folly. Aya herself is a strong, confident single woman who one would want as a good friend. Abouet's sharp writing draws a line between socially-acceptable infidelity and harmful, soul-destroying misogyny without ever being preachy. Stunning artwork by Oubrerie.
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