Langosh & Peppi: Fugitive Days

Langosh & Peppi #1

by Veronica Post

While exploring out-of-the-way places in Budapest, Hungary, a vagabond named Langosh and his faithful dog, Peppi, stumble on the vestiges of the region’s war torn past. Through streets, alleys, tunnels, train stations, abandoned buildings and the countryside, they witness the effects of colliding social, political, and interpersonal situations. However, they soon discover the stark difference between choosing a transient lifestyle and being forced from one’s home and country. Langosh and Peppi meet people whose tragic personal struggles are enmeshed with the national struggles that continue to divide and destroy so many lives, and witness the disturbing global rise of nationalism. Influenced by Hideo Azuma, Guy Delisle and Joe Sacco, Veronica Post examines the modern dilemma of what it means to be human and to call a place home.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Canada

322 pages, Paperback

First published May 5, 2020

Reviews

[Katy DiNatale · Rating 4 out of 5]

The characters are sharp but the storyline meanders a bit. The emotional heft comes in the last fourth of the book, and I wanted to spend more time there.

[Tia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Quick unedited thoughts

This seemed very choppy to me. The stunted english and all the running around became tiresome. The messages I consumed were racism, freedom and inhuman treatment of refugees. This book wore me out emotionally and I will have to come back to write coherent thoughts.

[David Goldman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This wonderful comic sneaks up on you. Starting as charming, if somewhat simple, tale of middle age man on the run from law in home in Canada. Langosh bums around between Hungery and other slavic countries living a lo-fi life a few cares. But the cares slowly creep in - his passport dilemmas, finding the underbelly of Hungery's past and how that past is "not even past." (authoritarian past/right wing present) By the time the refugees from the Syrian war show up, Langosh has been confronted with many moral choices of when to act and when to stay silent, that are all the more poignant in our Covid/I can't breath moment.

[Jackie Perri · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved this book. amazing insight on the Syrian refugee crisis. The story kept me wanting more, A total page turner. I am excited to see what else Post puts out !

[Drew Canole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Langosh is living in Hungary with his small dog Peppi as a Canadian exile (wanted for some petty crimes by local police), he dips in and out of the EU to renew his visa worried each time he'll get booted and have to go back to Canada. After a series of fun but poverty level trips and adventures he enters into the EU during the migrant crisis. Only then does he really value his privileged position as a person holding a Canadian passport. There's not a ton of reflection, basically just a linear tale of things he does. The last chapter with the migrant crisis does add a level of depth to the story.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Damn this was really intense reading right now. Just how everything is connected and supported by a racist history and government structure.

[Colin · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars |

A fun book about dark times. The characters are so lovable and the themes so heavy, just what I love in a graphic novel.