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Papaya Salad
The debut graphic novel from Thai-Italian illustrator Elisa Macellari, Papaya Salad tells the story of her great-uncle Sompong who found himself in Europe on military scholarship on the eve of World War II.
A gentle and resolute man in love with books and languages, in search of his place in the world, Sompong chronicles his life during the war and falling for his wife, finding humor and joy even as the world changes irrevocably around him
This Winner of the 2019 Autori di Immagini Silver Medal in the Comics category tells the human story of the War, from a perspective not typically seen.
"An historical and emotional journey through my family and my roots that are grown between Europe and Asia. A personal narrative that needs to be shared and hopefully arouses empathy in the reader." -- Elisa Macellari
A gentle and resolute man in love with books and languages, in search of his place in the world, Sompong chronicles his life during the war and falling for his wife, finding humor and joy even as the world changes irrevocably around him
This Winner of the 2019 Autori di Immagini Silver Medal in the Comics category tells the human story of the War, from a perspective not typically seen.
"An historical and emotional journey through my family and my roots that are grown between Europe and Asia. A personal narrative that needs to be shared and hopefully arouses empathy in the reader." -- Elisa Macellari
232 pages, Hardcover
First published September 13, 2018
15 people are currently reading
789 people want to read
About the author
Elisa Macellari
19 books38 followersElisa Macellari is a Thai-Italian illustrator. Her clients include The New York Times, Corriere della Sera, Mondadori, Feltrinelli, and Nobrow Press. Her first graphic novel, Papaya Salad (2018), has been published in Italian, French, Spanish and English.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 190 reviews
July 5, 2020
A beautifully drawn biographical novel, it tells the story of the author's Thai great uncle. She is visiting her family in Thailand as a young child, and when she tries papaya salad for the first time, it conjures up memories of her great uncle's past as a young man who joins the diplomatic corps of the Thai army. He is then sent out to the Thai embassy in Italy, just before Italy joins WW2.
It's an intriguing story, a telling of WW2 from a forgotten (or ignored) viewpoint, while always remaining a very personal, human tale.
(Kindly received an ARC from Dark Horse Books through Edelweiss)
It's an intriguing story, a telling of WW2 from a forgotten (or ignored) viewpoint, while always remaining a very personal, human tale.
(Kindly received an ARC from Dark Horse Books through Edelweiss)
December 17, 2020
The author's uncle was the family storyteller, spinning tales from his childhood in rural Thailand to his time attached to the Thai diplomatic corps in Europe during World War II. His adventures are fairly low-key and slice-of-life; he leads a fairly charmed life despite being in an active theater of war. It's almost too mild, but the color scheme, of all things, tips it up a star, as I just found myself entranced by its warmth.
December 24, 2023
Lovely story from the perspective of someone left out of mainstream WWII narratives, the author’s great uncle who was in the Thai military. It had a “quiet” feeling as we follow him navigate all the changes in his life that happened unexpectedly because of war. I was hoping to feel more emotionally impacted, but I finished the book feeling only vaguely satisfied. But maybe that’s because biographical stories can be a bit hard to connect to in general, especially when as short as this one. But the art was just gorgeous—I loved the colors, lending the story warmth even in the midst of war, and the author draws Thailand so beautifully. The section breaks with the ingredients for som tum were a brilliant way to show how every part of his life culminated into the man he is today.
(I was a bit annoyed at the incorrect uses of “chai” (yes). It may be only a minor thing, but there were only a few Thai phrases used in the book, so you’d think that all of them would be correct, especially when it is quite easy to research... “Chai” does mean yes, but in the context of “that’s right”—in the book, it was meant to be used as “okay” (ka/krub). It’s not that big of an issue to affect my opinion/rating, but it does feel strange to have a basic language error in a book meant to honor a Thai person and his history/culture. This is something only a Thai speaker would notice, though, and I imagine the intended audience is non-Thais!)
(I was a bit annoyed at the incorrect uses of “chai” (yes). It may be only a minor thing, but there were only a few Thai phrases used in the book, so you’d think that all of them would be correct, especially when it is quite easy to research... “Chai” does mean yes, but in the context of “that’s right”—in the book, it was meant to be used as “okay” (ka/krub). It’s not that big of an issue to affect my opinion/rating, but it does feel strange to have a basic language error in a book meant to honor a Thai person and his history/culture. This is something only a Thai speaker would notice, though, and I imagine the intended audience is non-Thais!)
November 27, 2021
When a grandma tells you their life's story, you got to listen to them without disturbing them.
It is so enjoyable and this graphic novel gives this vibe exactly!
The artstyle is different and unique. I just love the subtle hues used.
The art sequence is just perfect.
Finally a chance to read a Thai story. A good one. And I am really glad.
It is so enjoyable and this graphic novel gives this vibe exactly!
The artstyle is different and unique. I just love the subtle hues used.
The art sequence is just perfect.
Finally a chance to read a Thai story. A good one. And I am really glad.
October 18, 2019
Para una gran parte de los lectores, los cómics todavía siguen siendo unos grandes desconocidos, un género que en muchas ocasiones se tilda de “infantil” o se le achaca falta de calidad.
Nada más lejos de la realidad, la novela gráfica se ha consolidado como uno de los géneros más interesantes : la maravillosa y compleja relación que se establece en este formato entre imágenes y palabras, consigue hacer magia en nuestro cerebro.
Papaya Salad es la primera obra como escritora de la ilustradora ítalo-tailandesa Elisa Macellari y es la historia verdadera de su tío Sompong, que desde Tailandia viajó a Europa en vísperas de la Segunda Guerra mundial.
Una emotiva historia sobre la tradición, la familia, el descubrimiento personal y las raíces: original y acompañada de un nivel gráfico muy bueno envuelto en una edición de @lianaeditorial preciosa y muy cuidada.
Nada más lejos de la realidad, la novela gráfica se ha consolidado como uno de los géneros más interesantes : la maravillosa y compleja relación que se establece en este formato entre imágenes y palabras, consigue hacer magia en nuestro cerebro.
Papaya Salad es la primera obra como escritora de la ilustradora ítalo-tailandesa Elisa Macellari y es la historia verdadera de su tío Sompong, que desde Tailandia viajó a Europa en vísperas de la Segunda Guerra mundial.
Una emotiva historia sobre la tradición, la familia, el descubrimiento personal y las raíces: original y acompañada de un nivel gráfico muy bueno envuelto en una edición de @lianaeditorial preciosa y muy cuidada.
September 19, 2019
Una novela gráfica que me ha encantado, con una historia preciosa de amor y superación.
Reseña completa en mi blog.
Reseña completa en mi blog.
December 24, 2020
Este año he leído bastantes novelas gráficas y la verdad es que muchas han sido auténticas joyas.
Me ha encantado las ilustraciones, la historia (basada en la vida del tio de la autora) y la edición.
Me ha encantado las ilustraciones, la historia (basada en la vida del tio de la autora) y la edición.
August 28, 2023
Papaya Salad is a non-fiction comic book with the story of the author’s great-uncle and his experience in Europe during World War 2. The beautiful and colourful comic illustrations take us with him as he narrates his chronicles of landing in Italy on the eve of war, meeting his wife and being a prisoner of war.
Comic books are not my go-to genre neither is war history. I picked this up because of a prompt in my reading challenge. I am squeamish about reading WW II history, so I am happy with this choice. It was a great experience to get out of my comfort zone without stretching myself. 😁
The book provides a beautiful slice of life. Perfect for reading with a drink and relaxing. The narrative pace also reminds me of story time with grandparents. The story has a mild flavour with no gory details and some great lines of wisdom splashed in there just like grandparents do. This also leads me to believe the book was first catered to a younger audience. So as an adult audience, it did fall short. However, I am going to read this to my niece and nephew when they are a bit older.
Comic books are not my go-to genre neither is war history. I picked this up because of a prompt in my reading challenge. I am squeamish about reading WW II history, so I am happy with this choice. It was a great experience to get out of my comfort zone without stretching myself. 😁
The book provides a beautiful slice of life. Perfect for reading with a drink and relaxing. The narrative pace also reminds me of story time with grandparents. The story has a mild flavour with no gory details and some great lines of wisdom splashed in there just like grandparents do. This also leads me to believe the book was first catered to a younger audience. So as an adult audience, it did fall short. However, I am going to read this to my niece and nephew when they are a bit older.
January 9, 2021
Beautifully drawn, a lovely story about an Italian Thai woman’s uncle living through WWII as a diplomat. This was definitely a perspective of the war I haven’t seen before, with the protagonists even ending up I. Ellis Island after being lugged to the US as prisoners of war.
Edit Jan 9: Thinking about this a little bit more, Papaya Salad was very distinct from many other books I've read about the Southeast Asian experience, and I almost found some parts of it very disconcerting in the way the protagonist has been able to miss many of the historical experiences that I've always associated with trauma and pain. As an example, Sompong becomes a POW, and gets sent to America, where he is nearly incarcerated in a Japanese American concentration camps, but is sent away at the last minute (very little time thinking about the emotional gravity of this). Of course, this could be because this is through the lens of an Italian Thai artist, and the experiences of WWII through the eyes of someone from an Axis country could be very different from what I had grown up with in North America.
Edit Jan 9: Thinking about this a little bit more, Papaya Salad was very distinct from many other books I've read about the Southeast Asian experience, and I almost found some parts of it very disconcerting in the way the protagonist has been able to miss many of the historical experiences that I've always associated with trauma and pain. As an example, Sompong becomes a POW, and gets sent to America, where he is nearly incarcerated in a Japanese American concentration camps, but is sent away at the last minute (very little time thinking about the emotional gravity of this). Of course, this could be because this is through the lens of an Italian Thai artist, and the experiences of WWII through the eyes of someone from an Axis country could be very different from what I had grown up with in North America.
January 23, 2019
Una storia dolce amara, condita con disegni meravigliosi.
September 9, 2023
This was absolutely wonderful. What a complex and intriguing story from a perspective which grabbed me from the first page to the last. Superb.
January 9, 2021
Di questa autrice avevo letto il fumetto biografico di Kusama. L’avevo letto perché conoscevo le opere dell’artista nipponica ed ero attirata dalle illustrazioni.
Il libro percorre l’esperienza di Sompong, un thailandese che si trova in Italia nel 1940 ed assiste allo scoppio della seconda guerra mondiale... Questo evento segna il momento di una serie di peripezie e lo porta a spostarsi durante la guerra in molti stati.
Questa graphic novel é molto coinvolgente e ripercorre la nostra storia da un punto di vista esterno. Le illustrazioni sono fantastiche e smorzano la tematica della guerra.
Il libro percorre l’esperienza di Sompong, un thailandese che si trova in Italia nel 1940 ed assiste allo scoppio della seconda guerra mondiale... Questo evento segna il momento di una serie di peripezie e lo porta a spostarsi durante la guerra in molti stati.
Questa graphic novel é molto coinvolgente e ripercorre la nostra storia da un punto di vista esterno. Le illustrazioni sono fantastiche e smorzano la tematica della guerra.
September 1, 2019
Il fatto di essere io stessa italo-thailandese come la scrittrice, mi ha, probabilmente, fatto apprezzare questo fumetto in modo particolare. Ho trovato i disegni e l’estetica dei colori bellissimi e di mio gusto, e la storia incredibilmente tenera ed emozionante senza presentare una trama particolarmente ricca.
Un buon debutto da parte della Macellari.
Un buon debutto da parte della Macellari.
May 21, 2024
Un relato de la historia del abuelo de una familia Tailandesa y su periplo por Europa durante la segunda guerra mundial. La historia está correcta, lo que realmente me hace darle las 4 estrellas es la ilustración porque OMG Elisa knows how to draw ❤️👌
June 1, 2021
Me ha gustado mucho la suavidad de los dibujos y los colores, tenues como la memoria que relata la autora. Y también todo el cariño que transmite.
December 29, 2021
Illustrazioni meravigliose e una storia profonda raccontata con delicatezza.
February 12, 2022
wow! this story was so captivating! i have never read about WWII from a Thai perspective. the images were gorgeous and it was paced so well.
March 25, 2020
Credo di non aver mai letto la storia di un asiatico in Europa durante la 2a guerra mondiale, nonostante l'ambientazione drammatica la storia è veramente dolce e mi ha scaldato il cuore in questi giorni di quarantena.
Sono rimasta stregata dai colori, richiamano luoghi lontani e portano l'atmosfera thailandese in un'Europa devastata dalla guerra che faccio fatica ad immaginare in una scala cromatica diversa da quella dei grigi.
Carinissima l'idea di usare gli ingredienti della papaya salad per i nomi dei capitoli.
Sono rimasta stregata dai colori, richiamano luoghi lontani e portano l'atmosfera thailandese in un'Europa devastata dalla guerra che faccio fatica ad immaginare in una scala cromatica diversa da quella dei grigi.
Carinissima l'idea di usare gli ingredienti della papaya salad per i nomi dei capitoli.
November 16, 2020
papaya sald is elisa macellari's debut graphic novel. it is based on a true story about her great-uncle, sompong, who found himself in europe on military scholarship on the eve of WW2.
4/5. reading this definitely gives me a perspective of war and reminds me of my grandmother/grandfather's stories about how they live back then which are always so new & interesting for me whenever i listen to them. i find that in elisa's graphic novel too - its very personal and i love how her illustrations also brilliantly captures the life of sompong and his memories.
i would say that this is one of the debut graphic novels that i really enjoyed. her hard work and dedication to put this up in 223 pages in total is so admirable and inspiring and definitely worth mentioning for. i'll be looking forward to more of her works!
4/5. reading this definitely gives me a perspective of war and reminds me of my grandmother/grandfather's stories about how they live back then which are always so new & interesting for me whenever i listen to them. i find that in elisa's graphic novel too - its very personal and i love how her illustrations also brilliantly captures the life of sompong and his memories.
i would say that this is one of the debut graphic novels that i really enjoyed. her hard work and dedication to put this up in 223 pages in total is so admirable and inspiring and definitely worth mentioning for. i'll be looking forward to more of her works!
August 2, 2022
Elisa Macellari, italo-tailandese, racconta la storia del prozio Sompong, che dalla Thailandia venne in Europa alla vigilia della Seconda guerra mondiale.
Motivato dall'amore per le lingue vince una borsa di studio per la Germania, ma la follia di Hitler blocca il suo viaggio e lo dirotta nella nostra patria.
La guerra di Sompong è un logoramento personale, fatto di attese in quanto prigioniero, ma è comunque trattato molto meglio di chi proviene da nazioni dicharatamente nemiche. Eppure mantiene un ottimismo invidiabile.
Brutto l'episodio del rientro, in cui gli americano vincitori non sanno (o non hanno voglia) di distinguere asiatici da asiatici: per loro sono tutti giapponesi, hanno tutti attaccato Pearl Harbour, e come tali devono venire umiliati.
Motivato dall'amore per le lingue vince una borsa di studio per la Germania, ma la follia di Hitler blocca il suo viaggio e lo dirotta nella nostra patria.
La guerra di Sompong è un logoramento personale, fatto di attese in quanto prigioniero, ma è comunque trattato molto meglio di chi proviene da nazioni dicharatamente nemiche. Eppure mantiene un ottimismo invidiabile.
Brutto l'episodio del rientro, in cui gli americano vincitori non sanno (o non hanno voglia) di distinguere asiatici da asiatici: per loro sono tutti giapponesi, hanno tutti attaccato Pearl Harbour, e come tali devono venire umiliati.
April 19, 2019
Non leggo graphic novel, con questa è successo un po’ per curiosità un po’ per “obbligo” . Bellissimo, mi ha sorpreso la dolcezza della storia, una nostalgica avventura dalla Thailandia alla guerra in Europa. L’ho chiuso veramente con il sorriso, e voglio assolutamente provare la ricetta nascosta tra le pagine!
January 29, 2023
I recently read the book Papaya Salad and I was pleasantly surprised. It is a graphic novel by Thai-Italian illustrator Elisa Macellari, Papaya Salad tells the story of her great-uncle Sompong, a very independent and strong-willed person who was determined to make his own way in life.
I want to note the interesting title of the book.
Everyone has a dish that takes them to a special place in memory.
Sompong's is papaya salad: every time he eats it, he takes back to his youth in Bangkok, to military school, or how World War II disrupted his plans to devote himself to languages.
Each turn in his life was accompanied by new difficulties, but he did not give up. He made his way through the new difficulties in life as if through the jungle, making his own way. He is a very brave and courageous person, open to new things, which at that time was innovative. Absolutely unimaginable adventures await him, and it's hard to imagine that all this can happen to one person. But as they say, accidents are not accidental. And not always something bad is waiting for us around the corner. Who knows, perhaps you will meet your love or understand your purpose in life. and if all this had not happened, he would not be where he is now, surrounded by loved ones.
As for the images, despite the use of a limited range of colors, you can immediately plunge into the exotic and warm Thailand, and feel its culture and customs.
P.S. if you still want to try this typical Thai dish, all the ingredients needed to prepare it is shown at the beginning of each chapter.
I want to note the interesting title of the book.
Everyone has a dish that takes them to a special place in memory.
Sompong's is papaya salad: every time he eats it, he takes back to his youth in Bangkok, to military school, or how World War II disrupted his plans to devote himself to languages.
Each turn in his life was accompanied by new difficulties, but he did not give up. He made his way through the new difficulties in life as if through the jungle, making his own way. He is a very brave and courageous person, open to new things, which at that time was innovative. Absolutely unimaginable adventures await him, and it's hard to imagine that all this can happen to one person. But as they say, accidents are not accidental. And not always something bad is waiting for us around the corner. Who knows, perhaps you will meet your love or understand your purpose in life. and if all this had not happened, he would not be where he is now, surrounded by loved ones.
As for the images, despite the use of a limited range of colors, you can immediately plunge into the exotic and warm Thailand, and feel its culture and customs.
P.S. if you still want to try this typical Thai dish, all the ingredients needed to prepare it is shown at the beginning of each chapter.
February 26, 2020
Parece que le voy cogiendo el gusto a la novela gráfica… ¡Me ha encantado! A pesar de ser un libro gordito, su argumento, sus colores, sus referencias culturales e históricas y sus matices te atrapan y en dos días terminas la lectura. La novela tiene unas ilustraciones increíbles, llamativas, coloridas... Me ha parecido muy curioso el punto de partida de la novela; simplemente nace como una anécdota en una comida familiar a partir de una ensalada de papaya. Dividida en varias partes (cada parte denominada con un ingrediente de la papaya salad) cuenta la historia vital del tío de la autora e ilustradora. Cómo Sompong nace en un poblado alejado de Tailandia, su familia se traslada a China, estudia y decide viajar por el mundo. Con el telón de fondo de la II Guerra Mundial, que hace un pequeño cameo en la novela, como una brisa enfurecida que decide el destino de Sompong, Elisa Macellari nos mete de lleno en una historia de amor, de aventuras, de viajes a Europa, Estados Unidos y China, de anécdotas y de referencias culturales a la cultura asiática en general, y a la tailandesa en particular. Todo en la lectura ha sido perfecto, desde la narración, hasta la combinación de ilustraciones minimalistas con algunas más detalladas, la transportación a esos lugares mágicos bañados por el gris de la contienda, la perfecta estampa de los sentimientos y sensaciones y la contemplación de la vida a través de la mirada del joven Sompong. He disfrutado mucho de la lectura, y, además, queda concluida la categoría de ilustradora del #retomujeresautoras.
October 25, 2019
Esta es la primera novela gráfica que leo y me decidí porque me llamaba la atención, había visto buenas críticas sobre ella y el escuchar a su autora en la presentación del libro, me término de convencer.
Me ha parecido una historia muy bonita y entrañable, me ha transmitido buena energía.
Sompong tiene que pasar por muchos baches y contratiempos, pero no pierde ni la esperanza ni el optimismo.
Me ha llamado la atención la forma en que cambian los colores en función del momento de la vida del protagonista y de sus circunstancias. Tengo que añadir que el libro es precioso y las ilustraciones son una pasada.
Como es la primera novela gráfica que leo, no la puedo comparar con otras, soy muy novata en este genero por lo que no me atrevo a darle una puntuación al libro.
Simplemente añadir que a mí, en su conjunto, me ha gustado.
Me ha parecido una historia muy bonita y entrañable, me ha transmitido buena energía.
Sompong tiene que pasar por muchos baches y contratiempos, pero no pierde ni la esperanza ni el optimismo.
Me ha llamado la atención la forma en que cambian los colores en función del momento de la vida del protagonista y de sus circunstancias. Tengo que añadir que el libro es precioso y las ilustraciones son una pasada.
Como es la primera novela gráfica que leo, no la puedo comparar con otras, soy muy novata en este genero por lo que no me atrevo a darle una puntuación al libro.
Simplemente añadir que a mí, en su conjunto, me ha gustado.
December 6, 2020
“A veces no se entiende bien en qué dirección soplarán los vientos, pero siempre hay una buena razón para viajar.”
Una novela gráfica bellísima. Me ha encantado!! Tanto la historia, como la fusión de las culturas tailandesa y europea, como las preciosas ilustraciones con sus colores, la edición tan cuidada... hacen de este libro una lectura muy recomendable.
Cada capítulo es uno de los ingredientes de la “papaya salad” y la paleta de colores de las ilustraciones va cambiando en función del momento de la vida del protagonista. La ilustradora, italo-tailandesa, nos cuenta la historia real de su tío Sompong y su viaje desde Tailandia hasta Europa en la época de la Segunda Guerra Mundial.
Una novela gráfica que tiene magia!
Una novela gráfica bellísima. Me ha encantado!! Tanto la historia, como la fusión de las culturas tailandesa y europea, como las preciosas ilustraciones con sus colores, la edición tan cuidada... hacen de este libro una lectura muy recomendable.
Cada capítulo es uno de los ingredientes de la “papaya salad” y la paleta de colores de las ilustraciones va cambiando en función del momento de la vida del protagonista. La ilustradora, italo-tailandesa, nos cuenta la historia real de su tío Sompong y su viaje desde Tailandia hasta Europa en la época de la Segunda Guerra Mundial.
Una novela gráfica que tiene magia!
June 29, 2024
Papaya Salad is a tale of a Vietnamese countryside boy that grows up to discover the world and its inevitable failings - war.
The artistic details are great : I really liked the colour palate and the framing that was used.
I also thought it was really cool to center the uncle's memories around his sense of taste - the Papaya Salad he had as a child.
I couldn't enjoy myself fully because I didn't really inform myself about the books content and I was rather expecting a indepth tale about Vietnamese culture, not WW2.
The artistic details are great : I really liked the colour palate and the framing that was used.
I also thought it was really cool to center the uncle's memories around his sense of taste - the Papaya Salad he had as a child.
I couldn't enjoy myself fully because I didn't really inform myself about the books content and I was rather expecting a indepth tale about Vietnamese culture, not WW2.
December 19, 2022
This was a gentle, enchanting, devastatingly beautiful book that moved me beyond words. Generational storytelling, carrying our ancestors’ stories with us, the trials of war, and what it means to be human with love and hope in the midst of darkness and despair. Gorgeous illustrations, wonderful storytelling. Papaya Salad is a book I will hold near and dear as a daughter of immigrants parents who’ve also faced the tragedies of war.
January 1, 2021
Beautiful illustrations and an even more wonderful story :)
This is Elisa's Macellari's debut novel which tells the story of her great uncle who found himself a part of the Thai diplomatic corps during WW2. Interspersed beautifully with his memories of Thailand and a familial recipe of papaya salad, it made for a poignant and a unique reading experience.
This is Elisa's Macellari's debut novel which tells the story of her great uncle who found himself a part of the Thai diplomatic corps during WW2. Interspersed beautifully with his memories of Thailand and a familial recipe of papaya salad, it made for a poignant and a unique reading experience.
February 8, 2021
Transported me to a different time and place. This book is very beautifully put together, with great colours and a really warm illustrative style. I am very impressionable to stories about traveling right now.
November 4, 2020
Pleasant enough. I'd like to see more of her work.
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