First Hand: Graphic Non-Fiction from India, volume 1

First Hand #1

by Rajesh Devraj (Editor), Orijit Sen (Editor), Geetanjali Rao (Illustrator)

First Hand Graphic Non-Fiction from India

Genres: Graphic Novels, India, Comics, Nonfiction

386 pages, Paperback

First published May 31, 2016

Reviews

[Anand Koppar · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good collection of graphic stories divided into six categories: Oral History, Autobiography, Documentary, Biography, Commentary and Reportage. All in all, many of the stories are perspectives of news and incidents, Traditional Arts, Opinions and rants, and also biographies of people who are not alive anymore. I quite liked the stories by Ikroop Sandhu (Ellipsis), Neha Dixit & Orijit Sen (The Girl Not From Madras) and Isa Hinojosa & Rahul Srivastava ( Why Julieta Didn't Get Her Drink).
A dedicated attempt at making non fiction. I would look forward to reading Volume 2 soon.

[AMIR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful collection of stories by some of the leading artists from India..remains relevant even in 2023 though this was published in 2016

[World Literature Today]

"The book under review is a remarkable example of how such a vital relationship may be shaped. As the first anthology of its kind, the collection owes much of its value to the creative passion and dedication of its editors (Orijit Sen, among other things, is the author of The River of Stories, published in 1994 and considered the first Indian graphic novel). A “tentatively issued open call for entries” generated more than fifty applications, which a careful selection brought down to twenty-two contributions representing half a dozen broad genres (autobiography, biography, commentary, documentary, oral histories, reportage) and a diverse yet impressively consistent range of subjects, narrative formats, and graphic styles." - Graziano Krätli

This book was reviewed in the March/April 2017 issue of World Literature Today magazine. Read the full review by visiting our website:

https://www.worldliteraturetoday.org/...

[Shashwata Datta · Rating 4 out of 5]

A near perfect ensemble tales from all over the length and breadth of contemporary India. waiting for volume 02

[Likhita · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely stunning work of art and literature. I can't wait for volume 2. The stories make you laugh, rage, cry and smile.