Postcards from Congo: A Graphic History

by Edmund Trueman, Didier Gondola (Foreword)

The Democratic Republic of Congo, the second-largest country in Africa by area, has had a fractured and bloody history, variously undone by decades of colonialism, civil war, corruption, and totalitarian rule. The country has played a crucial role in the economic growth of the Global North, but in doing so, has suffered immensely. So many seminal advances in technology were possible only through the extraction of materials from Congo, from rubber to copper to uranium to coltan. In each case, the Congolese people paid a great price exacerbated by the weight of colonial exploitation and dictatorial rule.  In this comprehensive graphic history, author and illustrator Edmund Trueman explores the fractious story of Congo. Through deft illustrations and storytelling, Congo’s history―not widely known to Western readers―comes vividly alive. We see how Congolese musicians have spread their language across Africa by creating some of the most popular music on the continent, and how Congolese women have spent decades sidestepping sexist legislation to become leaders in local business. From resistance against colonialism to the fight for independence and the self-determination to make a life in an almost stateless place, Postcards from Congo depicts how the Congolese people have resisted and survived in order to take control of their lives and the country they call home. Includes a foreword by historian Didier Gondola, Professor of African History at Johns Hopkins University.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Nonfiction, Comics, Africa, History, Graphic Novels Comics

176 pages, Paperback

Published October 25, 2022

Reviews

[Keen Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars!

“Unmarried African women living in cities were automatically registered as prostitutes and forced to pay taxes accordingly. From 1939 to 1943 in Stanleyville, unmarried women were the second highest tax contributors in the city.”

The Congo is a nation which has been mercilessly hollowed out by successive generations of western interests and corrupt leadership for centuries now. It suffers from the ultimate curse in that its so rich in natural resources which are so prized and beloved by the western world, so that over its brutal history it has seen the old extract, exploit, exhaust then exit model imposed upon it with devastating consequences. These vast, yet limited resources include humans, copper, rubber, gold, tin, diamonds, uranium, cobalt and coltan.

“As of 2022, 70% of the Congolese mining sector is controlled by Chinese investors. In contrast to Belgian investment during colonization and US investment during the Cold War, China’s economic involvement comes without political conditions.”

The artwork does very little for me, though you can certainly see the influence of Herge’s Tintin, as stated by the author in his introduction. But we do get a good overview of the turbulent history over the last few centuries of the country how successive kleptocrats, dictators and foreign corporations have raped and destroyed the land, killing millions and leaving even more in states of misery.

"In 2019, Apple, Google, Dell, Microsoft, and Tesla were taken to court on behalf of fourteen children who were crippled, paralysed, or killed while working in mines owned by the British company Glencore and the Chinese-owned Huayou Cobalt.” Microsoft later claimed that tracing the source of cobalt back through the supply chain was too complex and expensive. Remember that the next time you see Bill "philanthropist" Gates dispelling yet more green washing BS to some all too easily impressed sycophants at whatever corporate charity event he happens to turn up at next.

[Rachel Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good look at how the Congo has been shaped since it first came into being, and the immense challenges the nation has faced and is still facing - Chinese and multi-national imperialism taking the place of the old colonial powers. One star off as the text pages were basically repeated under the drawings. I’d have preferred a more integrated approach where the graphics were embedded in a longer text which delved a bit deeper. Well worth a read, however, and I loved the style of the drawings.

[Lizzieb123 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I struggle with reading nonfiction, so this graphic history helped me stay interested. The images will stay with me, as well, which helps me remain aware of the turbulent history of Congo!

[Autumn Riehemann · Rating 4 out of 5]

finally finished this :)

very educational and an easy read that mentioned a lot i will keep learning about,, congo is the only reason I'm even posting this in my phone right now,, congos strength and power is unmatchable and should be met with love, honesty, and not corrupt leaders being bought off by colonial powers!! millions & millions have died in order to exploit congo for its resources, so each & everyday it's #FreeCongo

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice compliment to the recently read King Leopold's Ghost by Hochschild and reaches up until the current President's first term in 2018. The art is simple, expressive and appropriate for the historical narrative of CFS, Republic of Congo, and finally DRC since 1996 under Laurent Kabila whom Che Guevara stated had potential but just not enough to lead. The author covers 1895 to 1908 under the Belgian King, Republic and in 1960 independence without a strong leader and social chaos as the economic and management class fled to Europe, including the very competent however notorious Force Publique officer staff that maintained order and won military battles abroad. The Cold War did not help the DRC even if the corrupt politician did. So much potential, so few gains.

Rumba music, the rumble in the jungle, Seko Mobuto, the Simba, Mai Mai, RCD, child soldiers, Chinese dominance of mining, unbuilt infrastructure, the AFDC, Paul Kagame and Rwandan occupation and current intervention along with Uganda ,.. so many fascinating aspects and tragic events like the 5 million dead after 2 major internal wars and ebola. Still, the often overlooked largest SSA country area-wise still has spirit and hope, judging by the vibrant art presented here.

DRC has nowhere near the immigrant population abroad compared to Ethiopia or Nigeria when it should have more. Maybe the Congolese are stubborn and refuse to leave with a hope that never materializes as final rewards even with so much buried wealth, (and historical misery as a colony and even as a free state), even more than most of the rest of Africa combined.

Some editing could clean up the often out of order text captions but that's a minor issue.

This graphic novel shows someone knows and cares about DRC so maybe a fine leader will finally emerge who can modernize and unite like a Kagame, or Kenyatta, or even a Mbeki or just competent leader would help. Felix T's just won 2nd term is not an encouraging event. Alas.

[Alger Smythe-Hopkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will admit that I have been a little obsessed with the lasting trauma of the DRC/Zaire since a fifth grade school assignment where I needed to present on a country of my choice, and Zaire had a cool name. Back then, Zaire was at the nadir of the Mubutu regime and Cold War real politick kept that monster in power far too long. The creation of the DRC, the Kabila presidencies, all of that I watched with at first hope, then horror. Then came the coltan rush and the African World War. I checked in regularly over the years and always hoped that someday things might improve for the people of the Congo. For that reason, this episodic history of the peoples, the colony, the nation, was mostly review for me, but it remains affecting. The lengthy narrative pieces that opened each chapter were complete and interesting, but also undermined the art, which essentially gave a condensed version of those narrative sections but with illustrations.
If you know nothing of the DRC, I can recommend this as an introduction, but for me the best relation of the nature of the river and its people is East Along the Equator: A Journey up the Congo and into Zaire.

[stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a masterful work. With wonderful illustrations, and a fabulous distillation of the history of the Democratic Republic of Congo, it’s careful curation of events and comments make it like a work of poetry - no word is wasted, no square unimportant.

Wonderful overview (without condemnation, excuses, etc) of the effects of colonialism on Africa in particular and how the powers that be have left them in a position where it’s almost impossible to succeed - when you have left decades upon decades of a group of people not even allowed to be merchants, how can they figure out how to rule themselves without falling into authoritarianism? The US was created by the most brilliant scholars of the time.

I have King Leopold’s Ghost in my TBR pile, but I’ll be moving it up after this.

Truly remarkable. I wish the author would do more collections like this.

[Kristina Drake · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like this graphic history is a great starting point if you’re interested in learning more about the history of the Congo. Trueman covers a lot of events and changes in power. He doesn’t go super in depth but gives a lot of great context, and cites other sources for if you want more information. I think he did a great job of not shying away from highlighting Belgium and other western power’s negative impact. The illustrations were really well done and were a nice bonus while reading this book.

[Karin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a concise yet detailed look at the history of Congo, and told a lot about not just it's politics but also was informative about the art and music of the area. With under 200 pages it felt well balanced and I felt like I had a good grasp on the info and wanted to learn more. The author also goes into why he used the art style that he did, and also explained when the illustrations were based on photos or from his imagination. A list of further reading is also included. Really recommend this one.

[Angie Arias · Rating 5 out of 5]

Al principio me preguntaba por qué alguien que no había viajado al Congo se interesó tanto y que podía aportar . Este libro está lleno de información valiosa que muestra las injusticias que este pueblo vive . Por que siendo tan rico, está lleno de pobreza .

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss.

[Matthew Noe]

Booklist review pending

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very accessible history re: Congo

[Irkafirkasemmi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good intro. The art style doesn't appeal to me.

[Chad · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up unfamiliar with the history of Congo. After finishing it, I have a better understanding, but I wish the images were more closely connected with the text and each other.