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To apply for asylum, Refugee 214 must tell his story. With him in the room are a man from his new country, and the shadows of four loved ones who did not survive the journey.
214 reveals how he and his younger sister fled their homes and set off toward the border; how they met and suffered with friends, and lost them; and how the plight of the refugee is an experience that erases differences between individuals, even as it threatens to erase the individuals themselves. The only one left to tell the tale, 214 swallows his fears and relates what he and the shadows saw and did, in the hope that his life and the lives of the others won't have been in vain.
Creators Zabus & Hippolyte present an intimate and heartrending look at one fictional refugee's story, while encompassing the larger plight of displaced people.
214 reveals how he and his younger sister fled their homes and set off toward the border; how they met and suffered with friends, and lost them; and how the plight of the refugee is an experience that erases differences between individuals, even as it threatens to erase the individuals themselves. The only one left to tell the tale, 214 swallows his fears and relates what he and the shadows saw and did, in the hope that his life and the lives of the others won't have been in vain.
Creators Zabus & Hippolyte present an intimate and heartrending look at one fictional refugee's story, while encompassing the larger plight of displaced people.
174 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
June 30, 2022
speechless
April 19, 2021
Very moving tale about war refugees trying to flee their motherland and travel towards the west.
Refugee 214 is the only one to make it, and he has to tell his story to a civil servant. The people who (literally) haven't survived their harrowing journey include 214's younger sister and their father, and they appear as shadows that only 214 can see or hear.
They implore him to tell their story correctly, which isn't easy, as the civil servant isn't that interested in hearing it.
The art is, simply put, fantastic. Character designs are very theatrical, and reminded me of old cartoons. The abstraction works very well here, it only strenghtens the impact.
Beautiful and heartwrenching.
(Thanks to Dark Horse Comics for providing me with an ARC through Edelweiss)
Refugee 214 is the only one to make it, and he has to tell his story to a civil servant. The people who (literally) haven't survived their harrowing journey include 214's younger sister and their father, and they appear as shadows that only 214 can see or hear.
They implore him to tell their story correctly, which isn't easy, as the civil servant isn't that interested in hearing it.
The art is, simply put, fantastic. Character designs are very theatrical, and reminded me of old cartoons. The abstraction works very well here, it only strenghtens the impact.
Beautiful and heartwrenching.
(Thanks to Dark Horse Comics for providing me with an ARC through Edelweiss)
August 27, 2021
A refugee in a stark Alice in Wonderland meets Kafka type world sits before a bureaucrat telling his story of hardship. Those who died along the way appear as shadows encouraging him to tell the truth instead of embellishing. I know a lot of others found this very emotional but the art and story were so odd that I couldn't get into it. The oddities more of an impact on me than the situations.
Received a review copy from Dark Horse and Edelweiss.
Received a review copy from Dark Horse and Edelweiss.
March 6, 2023
A refugee in a waiting room wrestled with telling an immigration officer the details of his harrowing journey to seek asylum with his sister, after surviving atrocities. The main question is whether to change details to make him seem more sympathetic and appealing to be let into the country, while the spectres of those who died haunt him, demanding a true accounting of things, so that they might be at peace.
The meta context is very relevant as well, since the marketplace also functions this way. Publishers have conditioned the space to accept immigration stories that force the author to expose details they might want to be private, and create an image that the publishers have cultivated of the marginalized individual, in all manner of forms. As such, it is very hard for authors to get published that deviate from this formulaic demand placed on them. This dialogue with the asylum seeker, a very relevant issue to today everywhere, especially in English speaking countries as well, really augmented this piece.
The artwork grew on me. It’s got a magical realism element to it that, I think, is meant to further reiterate the “story” aspect of the asylum speaker. Sometimes it’s really fantastic, with eclectic paneling and great use of colours, and looking exceptionally unique. Other times it does feel somewhat similar and suffers from stilted dialogue in an effort for verisimilitude, I assume. It also sometimes becomes hard to distinguish characters because of the style and mask use. Overall, a very strong effort, though.
The meta context is very relevant as well, since the marketplace also functions this way. Publishers have conditioned the space to accept immigration stories that force the author to expose details they might want to be private, and create an image that the publishers have cultivated of the marginalized individual, in all manner of forms. As such, it is very hard for authors to get published that deviate from this formulaic demand placed on them. This dialogue with the asylum seeker, a very relevant issue to today everywhere, especially in English speaking countries as well, really augmented this piece.
The artwork grew on me. It’s got a magical realism element to it that, I think, is meant to further reiterate the “story” aspect of the asylum speaker. Sometimes it’s really fantastic, with eclectic paneling and great use of colours, and looking exceptionally unique. Other times it does feel somewhat similar and suffers from stilted dialogue in an effort for verisimilitude, I assume. It also sometimes becomes hard to distinguish characters because of the style and mask use. Overall, a very strong effort, though.
April 28, 2021
Read review at: https://thereadingarmchair.blogspot.c...
Writing about this graphic novel is not easy. I have been thinking about how I should start writing this review for a while now, and I only end up looking at the blank screen. So, I'm just going to start placing one word after another, and we'll see where this goes.
Before getting into the actual graphic novel, I'd like to mention that this is the adaptation of the 2008 theatrical play of Vincent Zabus. The writer adapted the script for the graphic novel, and Hippolyte illustrated it. This isn't the first time that the writer and the artist have collaborated, having also created Incredible!.
As the summary of this book suggests, this is the story of Refugee 214. The graphic novel begins with our young protagonist in an interrogation room. He is surrounded by the shadows of the people that he has lost along the way. They all represent his story, his memories, his regrets, and his shame. He knows that what he tells in this interview will be his ticket to get accepted to this Other Country, the place where he will start afresh. But, is his conscience ready to accept what he has been through? Is he brave enough to admit what he was forced to do just to survive, even though he might be framed as a criminal?
Refugee 214 began his journey from the Low Country with his sister. Low Country is a place with rich soil and for this reason, there is always someone trying to claim it. When the situation gets worse, the protagonist has to flee with his sister, without even saying goodbye to their mother. And then, their struggles begin. They get lost in the woods and ultimately captured by the Capitalist Ogre, who thrives through the hard labour of people and children just like them. They manage to escape and gain two more companions along the way. They reach the High Country and feel lost in the big city until they can find the means to pay the smuggler who will take them to the Other Country.
All through this way, our protagonist sees the shadow of his father. He had fled the country before them to find a better place for them. However, he died on his way there, and so, he tries to help his son and daughter through his experiences. We learn about the exile sickness, a condition that turns people into living corpses. A condition that ultimately consumes the individual and lets his memories float above the sea.
To be honest, this story feels like a punch in the gut. If you live in Europe, then you are familiar with what the refugees have to go through. You have probably heard of how many people were lost in the Mediterranean Sea and how the smugglers' false promises took everything from these people. And the graphic novel doesn't shy away from all the horrendous things that might happen along the way. One of the companions gets sexually assaulted and murdered, and our protagonist has to kill to defend himself.
However, what is even more heart-wrenching in this story is the part after Refugee 214 reaches the Other Country. We witness the interview and how the interrogator claims to be impartial. Yet, when our protagonist tells the truth, he is willingly calling him a criminal. We never learn if he gets accepted in the Other Country and whether he starts a new life. And this, makes me wonder just how many people are in my own country in the same situation. Greece is the temporary home for thousands of refugees that tried to reach some EU country.
The story stretched out all these feelings and thoughts by not including any name. I understand that for some this might be a drawback as it eliminates an element that will make the reader feel closer to these characters. Nevertheless, I thought that this was an excellent choice. Again, being from Greece, I have read on the daily news about refugees lost at sea, saved from a shipwreck, put in camps, etc. The news is always about the refugees, not individual stories. This graphic novel seems to understand this, and it puts actual stories to the nameless word "refugee".
As I've already mentioned, the story is a powerful one. However, I can't end this review without talking about the art style. Hippolyte has made a good job at illustrating the story. First, I have to admit how much I love watercolour, and I'm usually drawn to graphic novels with this art style. Indeed, The Shadows was no exception to this rule as there were some pages that I didn't want to stop looking at.
However, the illustration is not just dreamy watercolour. The illustrations follow the emotional journey of these characters and evolve accordingly. There are panels with dark, bold lines that give off an ominous feeling. When the story reaches a hopeful stage, then the outlines and colours get softer and warmer.
The character design is peculiar. All of our protagonists have faces that remind a mask without many characteristics. I believe that this is another element that ties with the fact that we don't have any names for the characters. The shadows actually remind me of some creatures that I could have seen in a Miyazaki film. They are huge black masses with a white face and no other distinct features.
All in all, The Shadows is a graphic novel worth checking out. It is definitely not an easy read, even though it is concealed under a fantasy element. It will break your heart but show you the stories of so many people fighting for survival.
Writing about this graphic novel is not easy. I have been thinking about how I should start writing this review for a while now, and I only end up looking at the blank screen. So, I'm just going to start placing one word after another, and we'll see where this goes.
Before getting into the actual graphic novel, I'd like to mention that this is the adaptation of the 2008 theatrical play of Vincent Zabus. The writer adapted the script for the graphic novel, and Hippolyte illustrated it. This isn't the first time that the writer and the artist have collaborated, having also created Incredible!.
As the summary of this book suggests, this is the story of Refugee 214. The graphic novel begins with our young protagonist in an interrogation room. He is surrounded by the shadows of the people that he has lost along the way. They all represent his story, his memories, his regrets, and his shame. He knows that what he tells in this interview will be his ticket to get accepted to this Other Country, the place where he will start afresh. But, is his conscience ready to accept what he has been through? Is he brave enough to admit what he was forced to do just to survive, even though he might be framed as a criminal?
Refugee 214 began his journey from the Low Country with his sister. Low Country is a place with rich soil and for this reason, there is always someone trying to claim it. When the situation gets worse, the protagonist has to flee with his sister, without even saying goodbye to their mother. And then, their struggles begin. They get lost in the woods and ultimately captured by the Capitalist Ogre, who thrives through the hard labour of people and children just like them. They manage to escape and gain two more companions along the way. They reach the High Country and feel lost in the big city until they can find the means to pay the smuggler who will take them to the Other Country.
All through this way, our protagonist sees the shadow of his father. He had fled the country before them to find a better place for them. However, he died on his way there, and so, he tries to help his son and daughter through his experiences. We learn about the exile sickness, a condition that turns people into living corpses. A condition that ultimately consumes the individual and lets his memories float above the sea.
To be honest, this story feels like a punch in the gut. If you live in Europe, then you are familiar with what the refugees have to go through. You have probably heard of how many people were lost in the Mediterranean Sea and how the smugglers' false promises took everything from these people. And the graphic novel doesn't shy away from all the horrendous things that might happen along the way. One of the companions gets sexually assaulted and murdered, and our protagonist has to kill to defend himself.
However, what is even more heart-wrenching in this story is the part after Refugee 214 reaches the Other Country. We witness the interview and how the interrogator claims to be impartial. Yet, when our protagonist tells the truth, he is willingly calling him a criminal. We never learn if he gets accepted in the Other Country and whether he starts a new life. And this, makes me wonder just how many people are in my own country in the same situation. Greece is the temporary home for thousands of refugees that tried to reach some EU country.
The story stretched out all these feelings and thoughts by not including any name. I understand that for some this might be a drawback as it eliminates an element that will make the reader feel closer to these characters. Nevertheless, I thought that this was an excellent choice. Again, being from Greece, I have read on the daily news about refugees lost at sea, saved from a shipwreck, put in camps, etc. The news is always about the refugees, not individual stories. This graphic novel seems to understand this, and it puts actual stories to the nameless word "refugee".
As I've already mentioned, the story is a powerful one. However, I can't end this review without talking about the art style. Hippolyte has made a good job at illustrating the story. First, I have to admit how much I love watercolour, and I'm usually drawn to graphic novels with this art style. Indeed, The Shadows was no exception to this rule as there were some pages that I didn't want to stop looking at.
However, the illustration is not just dreamy watercolour. The illustrations follow the emotional journey of these characters and evolve accordingly. There are panels with dark, bold lines that give off an ominous feeling. When the story reaches a hopeful stage, then the outlines and colours get softer and warmer.
The character design is peculiar. All of our protagonists have faces that remind a mask without many characteristics. I believe that this is another element that ties with the fact that we don't have any names for the characters. The shadows actually remind me of some creatures that I could have seen in a Miyazaki film. They are huge black masses with a white face and no other distinct features.
All in all, The Shadows is a graphic novel worth checking out. It is definitely not an easy read, even though it is concealed under a fantasy element. It will break your heart but show you the stories of so many people fighting for survival.
January 6, 2021
Výnimočne som si neprečítala popis pri knihe od NetGalley a išla len podľa coveru. Čakala som hororovú rozprávku. Dostala som príbeh o chlapcovi s jeho malou sestrou, ktorí sú nutení opustiť svoju krajinu. Skvelo, milo i drsne je podané, čím všetkým sú utečenci na ceste za "lepším" životom môžu/musia prejsť. Kresba môže byť pre niekoho nie veľmi očiam lahodná, ale k tomuto sa neskutočne hodila, farby boli krásne a niektoré tie stránky ma naozaj nútili popozerať si ich dlhšie. Osobne nemám moc rada, keď sa takéto témy premietajú v komiksoch ak po tom vyslovene nejdem, ale toto bolo naozaj príjemné prekvapenie. Trochu mi miestami prišlo, že tie dialógy boli strašne jednoduché, ale tak nejak verím, že to bolo prekladom z originálu. Každopádne, 4,5/5 určite.
December 14, 2020
Lengthy fantasy graphic novel, where a large old man character writing down the testimony of one of the lead protagonists frames a saga about two siblings on the run from nasty evil sorts, and trying to find a new life first in the country next door, and then the Other World. Both the interview/interrogation/whatever and the quest itself get to be haunted by the titular Shadows. I think I'd have been expected to enjoy this more than I did, and I can't really pin down why I felt this so burdensome. Certainly, prime among the reasons is that all the characters in the incredibly rich and designed world come at you with macabre faces, or wearing a mask from either Africa or Noh theatre, or something like that. The world, then, ends up being Studio Ghibli goes Gormenghast, and I really couldn't worry too much about the main characters, for they were among the most faceless, genderless, ageless and – yup – characterless. As it is, then, however wonderful the hand-created imagery conveys mood and place, and however inventive things get, what we're seeing is the struggles of some ciphers across the page, in order to generate empathy in vain for an extended allegory, and not much more. Two and a half stars, perhaps, for it is well-drawn.
January 12, 2021
'The Shadows' by Zabus with art by Hippolyte is a graphic novel about a terrible journey and an interrogation, but it could be about a lot more.
Refugee 214 has a story to tell and gets to tell it during an interrogation or maybe an interview. The story is how 214 and his sister made a long journey. Along the way, they meet strange creatures who want to help and abuse them. They also find the shadow of their parents, and learn what that means for them.
This was a rather bizarre and engaging graphic novel. It tells the story of a refugee in a beautiful and elegant way. The art is strange, but works very well for the story.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Europe Comics and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
Refugee 214 has a story to tell and gets to tell it during an interrogation or maybe an interview. The story is how 214 and his sister made a long journey. Along the way, they meet strange creatures who want to help and abuse them. They also find the shadow of their parents, and learn what that means for them.
This was a rather bizarre and engaging graphic novel. It tells the story of a refugee in a beautiful and elegant way. The art is strange, but works very well for the story.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Europe Comics and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
March 25, 2022
In this strange, yet oddly serene allegory for the refugee experience, Vincent Zabus and Hippolyte take us through the journey of a brother and sister as they try to find better lands, for a new home. Along the way, they meet friends, they visit strange lands, and have their wills tested by the journey itself.
I think Zabus did a smart thing by making this book "strange". The art work by Hippolyte is surreal and odd, but in a good way. His line work is amazing, with scratching and shading illustrations conveying the unfamiliar locations of this world. And it actually works on two levels because it gives the reader a peculiar feeling as you try to make sense of the odd backdrops and characters the brother and sister encounter. It's much the same as any refugee would view the world in these moments: unfamiliar, scary, and dangerous. The illustrations are not only mesmerizing because of the sheer skill it took to create them, but also because of the feeling you get realizing there is something familiar in the experience, even if the images themselves are weird.
I think this team did a great job of writing a book that is at first, a bit obtuse. But after you put it down and let it sit in your mind, you begin to realize that the feeling it gives you is relatable. It's a story that is unfortunately familiar to many many people in today's day and age. And the allegory allows us to be engrossed by the experience.
Recommended for people who want to read something a bit off the beaten path, but engrossing all the same.
I think Zabus did a smart thing by making this book "strange". The art work by Hippolyte is surreal and odd, but in a good way. His line work is amazing, with scratching and shading illustrations conveying the unfamiliar locations of this world. And it actually works on two levels because it gives the reader a peculiar feeling as you try to make sense of the odd backdrops and characters the brother and sister encounter. It's much the same as any refugee would view the world in these moments: unfamiliar, scary, and dangerous. The illustrations are not only mesmerizing because of the sheer skill it took to create them, but also because of the feeling you get realizing there is something familiar in the experience, even if the images themselves are weird.
I think this team did a great job of writing a book that is at first, a bit obtuse. But after you put it down and let it sit in your mind, you begin to realize that the feeling it gives you is relatable. It's a story that is unfortunately familiar to many many people in today's day and age. And the allegory allows us to be engrossed by the experience.
Recommended for people who want to read something a bit off the beaten path, but engrossing all the same.
August 4, 2024
The book that ignited my love affair with graphic novels in 2022, when my sister (who is the graphic designer for The Shadows) gave me a copy of the book she worked on. Beautiful as it is heart-breaking. I wish more people knew about this gem that illustrates the horrors of a refugee’s journey.
January 3, 2021
The colors and illustration style in this book were beautiful! I really liked the way the artist used colors to change the mood of the strips. I am also a really big fan of the "person telling their story" trope and I think it worked really well in this.
Thank you to Europe Comics and NetGalley for providing me with an eBook copy to review.
Thank you to Europe Comics and NetGalley for providing me with an eBook copy to review.
October 6, 2021
Absolutely amazing! The story and the visualizations are perfect especially the way shadows are portrayed. A surreal take on a moving refugee story. Made me feel the same way I felt watching my favorite cartoon Over the Garden Wall. Two brothers lost in the wood trying to find their way back home in a magical forest.
December 18, 2020
Thanks to NetGalley and Europe Comics for providing an ARC!
______________________________________
4.5 stars
I don't know why, but I wasn't expecting this AT ALL.
I knew that this book was about exile and told a brother and sister's journey to somewhere. But, I don't know why, it didn't click in my head that this would be an allegory of exile nowadays.
So, I wasn't prepared, and I'm in shock. So much so that I blocked everything I could feel while reading this book.
Everything horrible about exile is there: fleeing from your home because it is no longer safe, losing relatives - not knowing where they are, if they are still alive - along the way, losing people you fled with, doing things you never thought you would/could do, protecting someone against everything around you and still knowing they won't go out of it all unscathed , trying your hardest to reach somewhere safe... only realising this "somewhere" is not safe for you. And, of course, rape (not shown), murder, theft, and people taking advantage of desperate men and women.
This book is one of the saddest I ever read. This last image... and the way everything is allegorical but still 100% understandable.
In the beginning, I was not a huge fan of the illustrations, but the more I read, the more I felt like they matched the "mood" of the book.
So, I thought I would read a little book quickly; I ended up punched in the face by The Shadows. (And I realised, after I finished it, that this book was originally written in French!)
______________________________________
4.5 stars
I don't know why, but I wasn't expecting this AT ALL.
I knew that this book was about exile and told a brother and sister's journey to somewhere. But, I don't know why, it didn't click in my head that this would be an allegory of exile nowadays.
So, I wasn't prepared, and I'm in shock. So much so that I blocked everything I could feel while reading this book.
Everything horrible about exile is there: fleeing from your home because it is no longer safe, losing relatives - not knowing where they are, if they are still alive - along the way, losing people you fled with, doing things you never thought you would/could do, protecting someone against everything around you and still knowing they won't go out of it all unscathed , trying your hardest to reach somewhere safe... only realising this "somewhere" is not safe for you. And, of course, rape (not shown), murder, theft, and people taking advantage of desperate men and women.
This book is one of the saddest I ever read. This last image... and the way everything is allegorical but still 100% understandable.
In the beginning, I was not a huge fan of the illustrations, but the more I read, the more I felt like they matched the "mood" of the book.
So, I thought I would read a little book quickly; I ended up punched in the face by The Shadows. (And I realised, after I finished it, that this book was originally written in French!)
December 22, 2020
— Thanks to #NetGalley and the publisher Europe Comics for providing me this e-book ARC of #TheShadows in exchange for an honest review.
actual rating: 3.5 stars.
i really enjoyed reading this! the underlying themes and parallels of the story is what really stood out to me. how the story was told as a story within story kept me interested and intrigued. along with the unique illustrations, another shiny pro is the way there were musical parts, and it truly felt like a musical and i loved it! however, as much as i loved all these elements, there seemed to be stories or panels that felt out of place at times. times where i was just scrolling and waiting for it to be over, as it didn't really add any substance to the story or atmosphere.
but overall an enjoyable read that subtly tackles important topics. would love to read more of this!
actual rating: 3.5 stars.
i really enjoyed reading this! the underlying themes and parallels of the story is what really stood out to me. how the story was told as a story within story kept me interested and intrigued. along with the unique illustrations, another shiny pro is the way there were musical parts, and it truly felt like a musical and i loved it! however, as much as i loved all these elements, there seemed to be stories or panels that felt out of place at times. times where i was just scrolling and waiting for it to be over, as it didn't really add any substance to the story or atmosphere.
but overall an enjoyable read that subtly tackles important topics. would love to read more of this!
July 18, 2020
Coup de cœur pour cette poétique et cruelle allégorie de l'exil, magnifiquement illustrée!
June 26, 2022
Trochę zbyt dziwne, nawet jak dla mnie...
Fabularnie spoko, ale kreska okropna.
Fabularnie spoko, ale kreska okropna.
January 19, 2023
almost made me cry
June 11, 2025
Beautiful and gripping, does not let you out of its palm for an instant and leaves you pierced by the ending
March 13, 2024
Prachtig verteld maar heel zielig.
December 11, 2020
---Thanks are given to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review---
The Shadows is this sad very melancholy tale of a boy, refugee 214, retelling his story to a man at a desk in hopes of gaining entry into the Other World. The story starts out throwing the reader right into the midst of Refugee 214 starting his story and immediately you are introduced to these shadows demanding he tell the real truth. Your pulled right into the story by wondering who these shadows are, can anyone else seem them, how do they connect to the boy, what is their real story.
Then the boy starts his tale, the real tale and the reader is then taken on this very heavy, melancholy tale of what this boy has gone through, the places he has been, the places he has seen, the people he has met, and every little story is fit in perfectly with just enough coverage that you don't feel overwhelmed by them but you also don't feel underwhelmed. Just the right amount of time is spent on each moment of the story. One element I did appreciate was when they boy made the attempt to deter from the real story, the present moment was drawn back into the readers focus and were shown the shadows getting angry with him. The jump from past to present was always seamless and placed in just the right moments.
The other thing I really appreciated was the stylistic choice in character creation, the characters are very simple with mask like faces as the only real way to differentiate them but many of the panels aren't zoomed in on them and this really helps to focus on the story at hand and less on the characters as its the tale that is important not what any of the characters look like. You don't come out of this story with a favorite character as that was clearly not the intention.
The art in general is a very interesting style that I feel like will only reach a certain demographic and that saddens me as the tale itself is very beautiful and the style really fits it, The wordless panels were seamless and did an amazing job at explaining what was happening through the use of the art, not once did I ever feel lost or confused. I will say the scenes on the boat were one of the more "creepy" aspects of the story and art but it worked well for what was being told. Its not a "Pretty" art style, but I personally don't think its "ugly" either and I feel this will fall heavily in that category by many and they will ultimately lose out on reading a genuinely interesting melancholy tale.
The tale does deal with darker themes, such as death, mention of rape, sickness, loss, but I do feel it was presented in a beautiful manner, and I honestly loved the ending, it was such a realistic heavy handed ending that just makes you sit back and go "oh man"
Refugee 214 doesn't have an easy story to tale but its an important one, a truthful one that needs to be told, and this is his sad, harrowing tale.
The Shadows is this sad very melancholy tale of a boy, refugee 214, retelling his story to a man at a desk in hopes of gaining entry into the Other World. The story starts out throwing the reader right into the midst of Refugee 214 starting his story and immediately you are introduced to these shadows demanding he tell the real truth. Your pulled right into the story by wondering who these shadows are, can anyone else seem them, how do they connect to the boy, what is their real story.
Then the boy starts his tale, the real tale and the reader is then taken on this very heavy, melancholy tale of what this boy has gone through, the places he has been, the places he has seen, the people he has met, and every little story is fit in perfectly with just enough coverage that you don't feel overwhelmed by them but you also don't feel underwhelmed. Just the right amount of time is spent on each moment of the story. One element I did appreciate was when they boy made the attempt to deter from the real story, the present moment was drawn back into the readers focus and were shown the shadows getting angry with him. The jump from past to present was always seamless and placed in just the right moments.
The other thing I really appreciated was the stylistic choice in character creation, the characters are very simple with mask like faces as the only real way to differentiate them but many of the panels aren't zoomed in on them and this really helps to focus on the story at hand and less on the characters as its the tale that is important not what any of the characters look like. You don't come out of this story with a favorite character as that was clearly not the intention.
The art in general is a very interesting style that I feel like will only reach a certain demographic and that saddens me as the tale itself is very beautiful and the style really fits it, The wordless panels were seamless and did an amazing job at explaining what was happening through the use of the art, not once did I ever feel lost or confused. I will say the scenes on the boat were one of the more "creepy" aspects of the story and art but it worked well for what was being told. Its not a "Pretty" art style, but I personally don't think its "ugly" either and I feel this will fall heavily in that category by many and they will ultimately lose out on reading a genuinely interesting melancholy tale.
The tale does deal with darker themes, such as death, mention of rape, sickness, loss, but I do feel it was presented in a beautiful manner, and I honestly loved the ending, it was such a realistic heavy handed ending that just makes you sit back and go "oh man"
Refugee 214 doesn't have an easy story to tale but its an important one, a truthful one that needs to be told, and this is his sad, harrowing tale.
January 16, 2021
The Shadows, scripted by Zabus, illustrated by Hippolyte, is a fantasy graphic novel verging on kafka-ian's tragic absurdism. This is a very dark comic but with lots of depth and feelings. I was intrigued by the mysterious cover and am very happy I took the plunge into this unusual, meaningful and very personal work.
We follow the journey of a big brother and his sister through strange lands in the hope of a better future. We are not sure were we are, or even what the people we are looking at are. The two main protagonists have a mask in place of a face, something reminiscent of ancient civilisations, but also tribal life. The masks never shows an expression, and yet the characters’ body language, their speech, their interaction, even their silences says so much. There is a lot of melancholy in those pages, bite as well and cynicism.
The illustrations talk directly to your emotions. I loved the art, this is a loose style I greatly enjoy in general, with multiple thin lines of black, almost like a doodle vibrating to life. There is a spidery quality to it that creates that dark heavy mood of the story. In fact it adds a lot to the poetry of the tale which might not have been there for the specific drawing style and tones. The whole album is in beautiful watercolours which also soften the blows from all the horrors our poor bunch of refugees run from. There is a dream quality to it, fuzzy and surreal. It was perfect.
As for the story it worked so well for me. For some reason I have been reading a lot about immigration lately and oddly, this one, the completely fantastical one in an invented universe, with strange creatures, is the one that talked to me the most. It is the one that felt the most emotionally accurate. I highly recommend it to people interested in human displacement, exile, transmigration. But also more than that. This is a comic for people who like when there is something beyond the first layer, who like to question humanity, and who are not afraid to dwell into the dark side of the human psyche. It is also for people who are fans of modern art and the imagination.
We follow the journey of a big brother and his sister through strange lands in the hope of a better future. We are not sure were we are, or even what the people we are looking at are. The two main protagonists have a mask in place of a face, something reminiscent of ancient civilisations, but also tribal life. The masks never shows an expression, and yet the characters’ body language, their speech, their interaction, even their silences says so much. There is a lot of melancholy in those pages, bite as well and cynicism.
The illustrations talk directly to your emotions. I loved the art, this is a loose style I greatly enjoy in general, with multiple thin lines of black, almost like a doodle vibrating to life. There is a spidery quality to it that creates that dark heavy mood of the story. In fact it adds a lot to the poetry of the tale which might not have been there for the specific drawing style and tones. The whole album is in beautiful watercolours which also soften the blows from all the horrors our poor bunch of refugees run from. There is a dream quality to it, fuzzy and surreal. It was perfect.
As for the story it worked so well for me. For some reason I have been reading a lot about immigration lately and oddly, this one, the completely fantastical one in an invented universe, with strange creatures, is the one that talked to me the most. It is the one that felt the most emotionally accurate. I highly recommend it to people interested in human displacement, exile, transmigration. But also more than that. This is a comic for people who like when there is something beyond the first layer, who like to question humanity, and who are not afraid to dwell into the dark side of the human psyche. It is also for people who are fans of modern art and the imagination.
June 26, 2021
4,5 ⭐️
November 21, 2022
Страшний мальопис про війну та біженство. Читати з обережністю: дуже сильні графічні образи, які можуть ятрити свіжі рани.
December 31, 2020
Incredibly haunting and dreamlike, this graphic novel gripped me from the beginning. It tells the story of a young man who flees his country together with his younger sister. He leaves his country, home and parents behind when their land is ravaged by oppressive forces in their country. Their land is exploited and seized by others and so they flee.
The graphic novel starts with the young man telling his story to an official who will make a decision about whether he can stay in the country of refuge. He is haunted by the journey to this place of freedom and tries his best to tell the story of his escape even though the ghosts of his family members haunt him.
The story is amazing in the way it shows the horrors of seeking a safe place to live. The reader journies with the young man through violent places, deserts, exploitation, abuse, mental stress and breakdown and death. All of this is told witout naming these experiences, instead the reader sees these events in the dream like drawings.
I thought this was incredibly powerful in the way it conveys the story through imagery and with very few words. I could feel both loss and loneliness as I read this. I could also feel the hostility of the so-called place of refuge.
These kinds of stories act as a prophetic witness in our world today. The way in which refugees are hated, spurned and treated is a a disgrace. The deaths of people seeking safety and better lives is heartbreaking and yet countries continue to see refugees as a burden.
When will we ever learn?
This story leaves the reader asking such questions and wishing for something better.
Copy provided by Europe Comics via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
The graphic novel starts with the young man telling his story to an official who will make a decision about whether he can stay in the country of refuge. He is haunted by the journey to this place of freedom and tries his best to tell the story of his escape even though the ghosts of his family members haunt him.
The story is amazing in the way it shows the horrors of seeking a safe place to live. The reader journies with the young man through violent places, deserts, exploitation, abuse, mental stress and breakdown and death. All of this is told witout naming these experiences, instead the reader sees these events in the dream like drawings.
I thought this was incredibly powerful in the way it conveys the story through imagery and with very few words. I could feel both loss and loneliness as I read this. I could also feel the hostility of the so-called place of refuge.
These kinds of stories act as a prophetic witness in our world today. The way in which refugees are hated, spurned and treated is a a disgrace. The deaths of people seeking safety and better lives is heartbreaking and yet countries continue to see refugees as a burden.
When will we ever learn?
This story leaves the reader asking such questions and wishing for something better.
Copy provided by Europe Comics via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
January 4, 2021
A graphic allegorical journey about the experience of refugees, Zabus and Hippolyte create an alien and authentic experience that reduces one frightened, grief-stricken human into a number recounting their life before a hardened, oversized man who dwarfs him in a room full of ghosts. Impossible to put aside or ignore its implications, The Shadows introduces readers to the protagonist who is nothing but a number, 214, in a world where humans wear masks and mythical monsters reveal their true faces. Caught up in a war not of their own choosing, refugee 214 flees with his sister and joins others in hopes to survive the bloodshed that has claimed his family and community. Each place they step offers danger and death, and as one comrade falls their shadow follows them.
Alternating between refugee 214, who is telling his journey to a hardened man of herculean proptions in a vast office, and his reflections on the journey that led him to this "new world," readers witness the shadows of those who have fallen surround refugee 214. Although the "welcome committee" writing down refugee 214's words is anything but welcoming, or compassionate, they are all he has left and encourage him to tell the truth for the "truth is worthless if you don't stand by it in the end" (70).
The tremendous symbolism and depth involved in this story is remarkable. Zabus and Hippolyte created a story so compelling about the perspectives involved when it comes to refugees and what it means to be human. The art draws from both darkness and light, with vivid splashes of color and forboding tones that plays off the text well. Exquisitely rendered and highly recommended.
Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced electronic copy in exchange for an honest review. The title is currently available.
Alternating between refugee 214, who is telling his journey to a hardened man of herculean proptions in a vast office, and his reflections on the journey that led him to this "new world," readers witness the shadows of those who have fallen surround refugee 214. Although the "welcome committee" writing down refugee 214's words is anything but welcoming, or compassionate, they are all he has left and encourage him to tell the truth for the "truth is worthless if you don't stand by it in the end" (70).
The tremendous symbolism and depth involved in this story is remarkable. Zabus and Hippolyte created a story so compelling about the perspectives involved when it comes to refugees and what it means to be human. The art draws from both darkness and light, with vivid splashes of color and forboding tones that plays off the text well. Exquisitely rendered and highly recommended.
Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced electronic copy in exchange for an honest review. The title is currently available.
December 12, 2020
Adapted from Vincent Zabus' 2008 play of the same name, and illustrated by Hippolyte, "The Shadows" is a dark and moving story about a pair of siblings' odyssey to the mythical "high country."
The plot follows these nameless characters as they endure the loss of their home, their family, and eventually their way. They encounter danger form those who prey on the vulnerable, and when they encounter friends, they can never really be certain of whom to trust. They travel miles without knowing which way to follow or whose advice to believe. All the while, shadows trail their steps, filling their ears and dreams with terrible things.
Hippolyte makes a stylistic choice to have the traveling characters wear masks to hide their faces. The masks have features but hide expression. Their bodies are draped and hidden. By contrast, other characters have their faces bare or, weirdly, exist at a whole other scale--there are a surprising amount of giants in the book.
The reader will figure out fairly quickly that the story is universal to the refugee experience. The desert chapters particularly reminded me of historical accounts from survivors of the Armenian genocide. Very likely, the experience is more widespread throughout time, including the present day. This story doesn't have to have cultural markers. Regardless of when it happens or who it involves, this tale will repeat itself over and over again. And this is just part of the journey that refugees undertake. I got very choked up at certain parts of the book. Hats off to Zabus and Hippolyte for humanizing faces we cannot see and shadows we don't initially recognize.
Recommended to anyone interested in the experience of refugees from all around the world. Trigger warning for sexual assault content, although it is not graphically represented.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.
The plot follows these nameless characters as they endure the loss of their home, their family, and eventually their way. They encounter danger form those who prey on the vulnerable, and when they encounter friends, they can never really be certain of whom to trust. They travel miles without knowing which way to follow or whose advice to believe. All the while, shadows trail their steps, filling their ears and dreams with terrible things.
Hippolyte makes a stylistic choice to have the traveling characters wear masks to hide their faces. The masks have features but hide expression. Their bodies are draped and hidden. By contrast, other characters have their faces bare or, weirdly, exist at a whole other scale--there are a surprising amount of giants in the book.
The reader will figure out fairly quickly that the story is universal to the refugee experience. The desert chapters particularly reminded me of historical accounts from survivors of the Armenian genocide. Very likely, the experience is more widespread throughout time, including the present day. This story doesn't have to have cultural markers. Regardless of when it happens or who it involves, this tale will repeat itself over and over again. And this is just part of the journey that refugees undertake. I got very choked up at certain parts of the book. Hats off to Zabus and Hippolyte for humanizing faces we cannot see and shadows we don't initially recognize.
Recommended to anyone interested in the experience of refugees from all around the world. Trigger warning for sexual assault content, although it is not graphically represented.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 28, 2021
This graphic novel made me think. There were parts that made me cringe. There were parts that disgusted me. There were parts were a little bizarre that made me want to put the novel down and not pick it back up. In the end, this one hit me in all the feels. My emotions were on a roller coaster from the start to the end.
The art both intrigued me and repulsed me. I liked the dark colors and the scratchy inking. I enjoyed trying to find the shadows in each and every page. BUT! There were some characters that were horrendous in nature and horrendous in how they were drawn. The shocking aspects of these characters did connect to the narrative, but I just couldn't help but being repulsed (which was the point). The art had me shook and made me think.
It took me to about half way through to really see the symbolism in this graphic novel and see the connections in the narrative to real life events. I wasn't a fan of the masks, but the symbolism is too powerful for them not to exist. The faceless immigrant/refugee - the point is that it could be anyone.
The four shadows are haunting. The last character to become a shadow so close to "freedom" was devastating. This is a powerful visual narrative of a refugee/immigrant and their heartbreaking journey to the other world to escape certain death in their homeland.
The art both intrigued me and repulsed me. I liked the dark colors and the scratchy inking. I enjoyed trying to find the shadows in each and every page. BUT! There were some characters that were horrendous in nature and horrendous in how they were drawn. The shocking aspects of these characters did connect to the narrative, but I just couldn't help but being repulsed (which was the point). The art had me shook and made me think.
It took me to about half way through to really see the symbolism in this graphic novel and see the connections in the narrative to real life events. I wasn't a fan of the masks, but the symbolism is too powerful for them not to exist. The faceless immigrant/refugee - the point is that it could be anyone.
The four shadows are haunting. The last character to become a shadow so close to "freedom" was devastating. This is a powerful visual narrative of a refugee/immigrant and their heartbreaking journey to the other world to escape certain death in their homeland.
February 13, 2023
My favorite graphic novels have become easier to distinguish now that I have been reading them more intensively for almost a year. With its dream-like story and innovative art, The Shadows sticks in the mind for quite some time. It is the story of a brother and sister who become refugees when their parents are killed and they have no choice but to flee. This is such a heartbreaking tale depicted in powerful art that conveys the book's message more effectively. The plight of refugees and the hardships they endured for a better life in this story is excellently depicted, as we hear many devastating stories about the hardships they faced. There are no names or faces for the refugee characters in the story, as if they do not matter and cannot have a character. Those who have gone appear as shadows, and all they want is to have their stories heard. In a way, they become a responsibility for the refugees who survived to tell their tragic tales. However, the most tragic part is that no one cares and the book ends with a picture of a pile of tragic stories which are left unattended. It is a heartbreaking graphic novel that portrays the sad story of many people battling for survival. The art is as inspiring as the story, adding to its beauty and dreaminess.
December 20, 2020
"At the end of an arduous journey, refugee 214 finally gets his chance to enter the Other World. But to see his wish granted, the boy must first tell the story of how he and his sister were forced to flee their homeland. Frightened and helpless, they crossed forests, deserts, and seas, encountering creatures each more mysterious and frightening than the last: the capitalist ogre, the smuggler-snake, and the ever-present shadows from the great beyond… The boy’s story must be told in every detail—but will the truth save him, or condemn him?"
. . .
This broke my heart. It's sad and whimsical, moody and emotional. The story is told from the point of view of the boy, refugee 214, as he tells a customs officer his story to attempt to gain entry to the Other World. I don't want to give anything away, but if you're interested in learning more about modern day exile and asylum seekers, this is a good, allegorical way to start.
. . .
This broke my heart. It's sad and whimsical, moody and emotional. The story is told from the point of view of the boy, refugee 214, as he tells a customs officer his story to attempt to gain entry to the Other World. I don't want to give anything away, but if you're interested in learning more about modern day exile and asylum seekers, this is a good, allegorical way to start.
January 31, 2021
**I requested this book on NetGalley. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**
I was attracted by the cover of this graphic novel: all the gloomy aura, the colors and the image gave me a shiver on the back - in a good way.
In "The Shadows" we follow the journey of a big brother and his sister. They have to find a safe place where to live, after leaving their home. All the story is told by the big brother, with an intense feeling of sorrow.
We can clarly see that the two of them are refugee in a foreign nation (a dark one) and how they could do to survive.
There are shadows along the way, they are lost people that want to know the truth about the protagonist's history.
Humankind of this world wear masks. We can't see their faces or the emotion depicted on them. It was intriguing for me.
The art style was a mix of dark and light. I liked it so much.
I was attracted by the cover of this graphic novel: all the gloomy aura, the colors and the image gave me a shiver on the back - in a good way.
In "The Shadows" we follow the journey of a big brother and his sister. They have to find a safe place where to live, after leaving their home. All the story is told by the big brother, with an intense feeling of sorrow.
We can clarly see that the two of them are refugee in a foreign nation (a dark one) and how they could do to survive.
There are shadows along the way, they are lost people that want to know the truth about the protagonist's history.
Humankind of this world wear masks. We can't see their faces or the emotion depicted on them. It was intriguing for me.
The art style was a mix of dark and light. I liked it so much.
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