What do you think?
Rate this book
The Blue Road: A Fable of Migration
In this stunning graphic novel, Lacuna is a girl without a family, a past, or a proper home. She lives alone in a swamp made of ink, but with the help of Polaris, a will-o'-the-wisp, she embarks for the fabled Northern Kingdom, where she might find people like her. The only way to get there, though, is to travel the strange and dangerous Blue Road that stretches to the horizon like a mark upon a page. Along the way, Lacuna must overcome trials such as the twisted briars of the Thicket of Tickets and the intractable guard at the Rainbow Border. At the end of her treacherous journey, she reaches a city where memory and vision can be turned against you, in a world of dazzling beauty, divisive magic, and unlikely deliverance. Finally, Lacuna learns that leaving, arriving, returning -- they're all just different words for the same thing: starting all over again.
The Blue Road -- the first graphic novel by acclaimed poet and prose writer Wayde Compton and illustrator April dela Noche Milne -- explores the world from a migrant's perspective with dreamlike wonder.
Ages 12 and up.
The Blue Road -- the first graphic novel by acclaimed poet and prose writer Wayde Compton and illustrator April dela Noche Milne -- explores the world from a migrant's perspective with dreamlike wonder.
Ages 12 and up.
128 pages, Paperback
First published October 22, 2019
2 people are currently reading
581 people want to read
About the author
Wayde Compton
12 books55 followersWayde Compton has written six books and has edited two literary anthologies. His collection of short stories, The Outer Harbour, won the City of Vancouver Book Award in 2015 and he won a National Magazine Award for Fiction in 2011. His work has been a finalist for three other City of Vancouver Book Awards as well as the Dorothy Livesay Poetry Prize. Compton is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Writing at the University of Victoria.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews
March 28, 2022
This art is so stunningly lovely that I didn't even want to read the words.
Which is kind of a bad sign, it turns out.
Overall this was a nice if optimistic and kind of messy retelling, but I wouldn't really know because I was just here for the pretty pictures.
Bottom line: I had, like, a crow's response to this book.
-----------------
tbr review
two things i can't say no to:
- books with pretty covers
- graphic novels when i'm behind on my reading challenge
-----------------
reading books by Black authors for Black History Month!
book 1: caste
book 2: business not as usual
book 3: the color purple
book 4: the parking lot attendant
book 5: kindred
book 6: wrapped up in you
book 7: the boyfriend project
book 8: a song below water
book 9: filthy animals
book 10: passing
book 11: seven days in june
book 12: ayiti
book 13: notes of a native son
book 14: mediocre
book 15: sister outsider
book 16: the blue road
Which is kind of a bad sign, it turns out.
Overall this was a nice if optimistic and kind of messy retelling, but I wouldn't really know because I was just here for the pretty pictures.
Bottom line: I had, like, a crow's response to this book.
-----------------
tbr review
two things i can't say no to:
- books with pretty covers
- graphic novels when i'm behind on my reading challenge
-----------------
reading books by Black authors for Black History Month!
book 1: caste
book 2: business not as usual
book 3: the color purple
book 4: the parking lot attendant
book 5: kindred
book 6: wrapped up in you
book 7: the boyfriend project
book 8: a song below water
book 9: filthy animals
book 10: passing
book 11: seven days in june
book 12: ayiti
book 13: notes of a native son
book 14: mediocre
book 15: sister outsider
book 16: the blue road
April 11, 2020
I enjoyed this book but the ending was a bit abrupt for me. I wish the story continued further as I think Lacuna is such a creative and resourceful character. I hope they consider making another volume.
January 7, 2020
Beautifully illustrated story about a young woman, Lacuna, who arrives at the Northern Kingdom, and has to live with strange and arbitrary restrictions, because she had arrived with no citizenship papers. This is after getting stopped at the border for months because she lacked the proper document.
The situations are deliberately ridiculous (and a wee bit heavy-handed) to illustrate the many difficulties and rules immigrants can encounter. It’s a disheartening situation for Lacuna, with a tiny bit of hope by the end. Again, beautiful artwork, somewhat depressing story.
The situations are deliberately ridiculous (and a wee bit heavy-handed) to illustrate the many difficulties and rules immigrants can encounter. It’s a disheartening situation for Lacuna, with a tiny bit of hope by the end. Again, beautiful artwork, somewhat depressing story.
December 6, 2019
This was such a beautiful and important story. LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE the art and the whimsical feel of the words.
July 12, 2020
This was a haunting, beautiful graphic novel. The story felt very familiar while also feeling strangely otherworldly.
November 4, 2020
this graphic novel was such a beautiful and captivating tale of migration and the struggles immigrants go through. the hoops they have to jump through, one after the other. it shows the main character Lacuna on her journey for a better place to live. and how, not only on her journey, but also when she gets to the northern kingdom, she is given these near impossible tasks or conditions. Lacuna, like most immigrants, finds ways to live their lives through this hardship. she’s a smart and resourceful protagonist, but also because she has to be, to find a way to better and more easily live her life.
read the full review on my blog~!
read the full review on my blog~!
May 21, 2021
Ahh, so magical and wonderful, and important. I don't understand why this is classified as young adult- it's for all ages to understand how migration feels. There should be events, vast displays, subsidized giveaways of this book to show it to as many people as possible. And beyond its importance, it's just so well done artistically- the illustrations pull you into its world and make it real like an out of body experience.
August 4, 2021
3.5 Stars
July 7, 2020
This is one of the few graphic novels available on my library's ebook platform, so I took a chance with a random borrow because that cover is really eye catching.
The illustrations in this graphic novel are beautiful. The style of textures and line work makes each page incredibly interesting to look at. The colouring though is really what pulls it over the top and makes each page feel like its own work of art.
It is important to note that dialogue in this book is presented in speech bubbles that change colours every so often. This dialogue and text may be harder to read if you have trouble with black text on coloured backgrounds including blues, purples, and tans.
As for the story, it wasn't the strongest narrative. I feel like I am probably being more generous than I should be with my rating just because I know that I am not the intended audience. It felt very purposefully educational, which can be a tone that is off putting to older readers, but I think would suit a younger reader well. The folktale style of the story would probably appeal more to a middle grade audiences rather than older teens. I think this book would be ideal for a classroom setting where the imagery and themes can be more fully discussed than what is just offered in the text.
The illustrations in this graphic novel are beautiful. The style of textures and line work makes each page incredibly interesting to look at. The colouring though is really what pulls it over the top and makes each page feel like its own work of art.
It is important to note that dialogue in this book is presented in speech bubbles that change colours every so often. This dialogue and text may be harder to read if you have trouble with black text on coloured backgrounds including blues, purples, and tans.
As for the story, it wasn't the strongest narrative. I feel like I am probably being more generous than I should be with my rating just because I know that I am not the intended audience. It felt very purposefully educational, which can be a tone that is off putting to older readers, but I think would suit a younger reader well. The folktale style of the story would probably appeal more to a middle grade audiences rather than older teens. I think this book would be ideal for a classroom setting where the imagery and themes can be more fully discussed than what is just offered in the text.
August 19, 2019
I am always so here for whimsical beautiful artwork and a story made up of prose so delicate and gentle, the pages literally come to life.
The Blue Road is the story of Lacuna, a lonely girl without family or history. She was born from a swamp and seeks life, people, and hope. She must travel a road that is dangerous and full of trials that she alone must endure.
This comic was beautiful! Right away I was in awe of the artwork. April dela Noche Milne did a fantastic job and Wayde Compton has a fairy way with words and prose. The story was riveting like a song.
This story echoes so much of the current state of the world and you felt that honestly and truly. My only complaint if any was that this was way too short, but it hit its mark and left me happy and sad so I guess it really did accomplish its goal.
Thank you very much to Edelweiss and the publisher for this DRC. All opinions are my own.
The Blue Road is the story of Lacuna, a lonely girl without family or history. She was born from a swamp and seeks life, people, and hope. She must travel a road that is dangerous and full of trials that she alone must endure.
This comic was beautiful! Right away I was in awe of the artwork. April dela Noche Milne did a fantastic job and Wayde Compton has a fairy way with words and prose. The story was riveting like a song.
This story echoes so much of the current state of the world and you felt that honestly and truly. My only complaint if any was that this was way too short, but it hit its mark and left me happy and sad so I guess it really did accomplish its goal.
Thank you very much to Edelweiss and the publisher for this DRC. All opinions are my own.
March 16, 2021
Featured in a grandma reads session.
Lacuna arises out of the blue ink swamp with no memories of her past or how she came to be there. . .no sooner does a reader get introduced before she is pronounced to be trespassing, and must leave. We go with her along the blue road.
The journey, with its obstacles and lands with puzzling rules becomes traps and prisons for anyone trying to settle in without the proper social badges. Even leaving becomes difficult. Yet Lacuna innovates, and using the mind unfettered that she traveled in with was able to see around some of the problems these societies imposed on outsiders. She created work-arounds that helped her flourish and erase the reasons for the work-arounds.
As I read this to my crew, I lost my youngest ones. They wandered away. But the older kids stayed in and were intrigued. We all thought the ending was abrupt and surprising, but we went with it.
Lacuna arises out of the blue ink swamp with no memories of her past or how she came to be there. . .no sooner does a reader get introduced before she is pronounced to be trespassing, and must leave. We go with her along the blue road.
The journey, with its obstacles and lands with puzzling rules becomes traps and prisons for anyone trying to settle in without the proper social badges. Even leaving becomes difficult. Yet Lacuna innovates, and using the mind unfettered that she traveled in with was able to see around some of the problems these societies imposed on outsiders. She created work-arounds that helped her flourish and erase the reasons for the work-arounds.
As I read this to my crew, I lost my youngest ones. They wandered away. But the older kids stayed in and were intrigued. We all thought the ending was abrupt and surprising, but we went with it.
Read
December 8, 2020“Leaving, arriving and returning all mean starting all over again.”
This short graphic novel presents a creative way to explore the migrant experience. We follow Lacuna who has been forced to leave the only place she has known as home. On her journey to find a new home, she encounters all kinds of bizarre obstacles which stand in her way. Intelligent, creative and resourceful, Lacuna is able to overcome all of this. But it leaves its mark on her, and she finds herself feeling isolated and lonely.
As a migrant myself, I found this graphic novel extremely moving. The illustrations were stunning and the pacing steady, making this a really enjoyable read. It’s the kind of book that you finish reading and then want to immediately start again.
I really enjoyed it and would highly recommend!
This short graphic novel presents a creative way to explore the migrant experience. We follow Lacuna who has been forced to leave the only place she has known as home. On her journey to find a new home, she encounters all kinds of bizarre obstacles which stand in her way. Intelligent, creative and resourceful, Lacuna is able to overcome all of this. But it leaves its mark on her, and she finds herself feeling isolated and lonely.
As a migrant myself, I found this graphic novel extremely moving. The illustrations were stunning and the pacing steady, making this a really enjoyable read. It’s the kind of book that you finish reading and then want to immediately start again.
I really enjoyed it and would highly recommend!
January 12, 2022
3.5 rounded up!
This was a stunning graphic novel about a girl called Lacuna. All she has ever known is the ink swamp she calls home. When she is forced to flee she travels to another kingdom, but faces many hardships along the way.
Lacuna was incredibly resourceful and intelligent. I loved her blue aesthetic with her blue lips, blue highlighted hair and blue dress. She was beautiful! The illustrations were so dreamy. I really enjoyed the story but I thought the ending was a bit rushed. Nevertheless, this book speaks for the hard times immigrants have to face when they are forced to leave their homes in search of a better life. Although in this book the situations are deliberately exaggerated, the effect is still there.
This was a stunning graphic novel about a girl called Lacuna. All she has ever known is the ink swamp she calls home. When she is forced to flee she travels to another kingdom, but faces many hardships along the way.
Lacuna was incredibly resourceful and intelligent. I loved her blue aesthetic with her blue lips, blue highlighted hair and blue dress. She was beautiful! The illustrations were so dreamy. I really enjoyed the story but I thought the ending was a bit rushed. Nevertheless, this book speaks for the hard times immigrants have to face when they are forced to leave their homes in search of a better life. Although in this book the situations are deliberately exaggerated, the effect is still there.
October 2, 2019
[4.5]
This graphic novel is so brilliant and beautiful. Its fairytale-like manner was so refreshing and lovely to read. While the art style is simple, it's beautiful and depicts the scenes perfectly. Every single one of the fantastical details, especially the symbolistic ones were so well thought out and amazing.
I struggle at the beginning to get into it, but as soon as I started to understand the direction of the "lesson" of the story it was very difficult to stop reading.
It is definitely targeted to an older child/tween age, but I think anyone could enjoy it. The underlying discussions of the story are very important to the modern world and I really enjoy their incorporation.
This graphic novel is so brilliant and beautiful. Its fairytale-like manner was so refreshing and lovely to read. While the art style is simple, it's beautiful and depicts the scenes perfectly. Every single one of the fantastical details, especially the symbolistic ones were so well thought out and amazing.
I struggle at the beginning to get into it, but as soon as I started to understand the direction of the "lesson" of the story it was very difficult to stop reading.
It is definitely targeted to an older child/tween age, but I think anyone could enjoy it. The underlying discussions of the story are very important to the modern world and I really enjoy their incorporation.
February 18, 2020
Thank you to the publisher for an ARC.
I loved this graphic novel. It was a fantasy book but the fantasy world was a metaphor for modern-day immigration issues. This shows the struggles of immigrating to a new country through the format of a quest story. Once the protagonist arrives at the city they have to carry a mirror with them at all times, a perfect metaphor for the additional burden immigrants have to carry in order to adapt to a new country. The art was absolutely beautiful I was blown away by every panel. There were some elements of the story that weren't thoroughly developed or explained but it was still a whimsical read.
I loved this graphic novel. It was a fantasy book but the fantasy world was a metaphor for modern-day immigration issues. This shows the struggles of immigrating to a new country through the format of a quest story. Once the protagonist arrives at the city they have to carry a mirror with them at all times, a perfect metaphor for the additional burden immigrants have to carry in order to adapt to a new country. The art was absolutely beautiful I was blown away by every panel. There were some elements of the story that weren't thoroughly developed or explained but it was still a whimsical read.
July 7, 2022
This is a short graphic novel / picture book about the experience of a girl finding her way to a place she can call home. To Where she might feel a part of a community.
It is an allegorical take on the experiences of immigrants, turning road blocks and struggles into symbolic hurdles like rivers of ink and dense thickets of tickets. They are ridiculous but still debilitating which highlights the feelings a person arriving in a new country might feel when faced with rules and processes that make no sense to them.
Beautifully drawn.
It is an allegorical take on the experiences of immigrants, turning road blocks and struggles into symbolic hurdles like rivers of ink and dense thickets of tickets. They are ridiculous but still debilitating which highlights the feelings a person arriving in a new country might feel when faced with rules and processes that make no sense to them.
Beautifully drawn.
October 22, 2019
Highlighting a migrants experience through a fable like world really works to get it's message across to both a young and older audience.
The illustrations by far were the highlight for me. There's a beautiful use of tone to convey the loneliness and depth within each frame. I thoroughly enjoyed the colour scheme and found that much of the story was told through it's illustrations rather than words.
The illustrations by far were the highlight for me. There's a beautiful use of tone to convey the loneliness and depth within each frame. I thoroughly enjoyed the colour scheme and found that much of the story was told through it's illustrations rather than words.
March 15, 2021
Inside the city, Lacuna quickly realized that to venture forth with her eyes on the surface of her mirror meant she had to walk backwards.
I picked this up completely at random (I felt like reading a graphic novel and this title sounded somewhat familiar) and this was stunning. Also, I had no idea going in that the author and illustrator are both from Vancouver and the illustrator even went to the same college as me! 🇨🇦
I picked this up completely at random (I felt like reading a graphic novel and this title sounded somewhat familiar) and this was stunning. Also, I had no idea going in that the author and illustrator are both from Vancouver and the illustrator even went to the same college as me! 🇨🇦
September 8, 2022
This nonsensical fable lost me when the protagonist deliberately and spitefully set off a wildfire without thought to its negative consequences. The symbolism and moral want to make some points about migration, but I was tempted to just stop reading the gibberish altogether and simply enjoy the nice art.
January 10, 2020
A story that covers immigration through a fantasy lens, showing how arbitrary the "requirements" are for those who are forced to or are wanting to escape to a different country to start over. The art is gorgeous and adds a lot to the story!
February 21, 2020
A beautiful tale of the ways that people divide the world into us and them. Lacuna finds ways past all of the barriers others put before her, only to find more barriers in her path instead of welcome and acceptance. There are many powerful allegories here.
February 25, 2020
The mirror metaphor is probably one of the most powerful things I've read for a while. To turn that constant reminder of being an "other" into a lens through which to view/change the world. Magnificently done.
April 18, 2021
At one level its a beautifully illustrated and inventive fable on a girl’s adventures. But on another level, it is an allegory on immigration. In a sense it’s a journey into the mind of an immigrant. Very good read...
October 6, 2019
It’s a deeply lovely story, I’m very happy to have read it. ❤️
November 15, 2019
a beautifully rendered tale in text and illustration.
July 2, 2020
The illustrations are SO beautiful and the story is both strange and so familiar.
September 30, 2020
A good book the sheds light on a difficult true-life situation.
December 29, 2020
i didn’t expect to be emotional towards the end
Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews