"That's what I wanted to show in Aya: an Africa without the... war and famine, an Africa that endures despite everything because, as we say back home, life goes on." — Marguerite Abouet
Ivory Coast, 1978. Family and friends gather at Aya's house every evening to watch the country's first television ad campaign promoting the fortifying effects of Solibra, "the strong man's beer." It's a golden time, and the nation, too — an oasis of affluence and stability in West Africa — seems fueled by something wondrous.
Who's to know that the Ivorian miracle is nearing its end? In the sun-warmed streets of working-class Yopougon, aka Yop City, holidays are around the corner, the open-air bars and discos are starting to fill up, and trouble of a different kind is about to raise eyebrows. At night, an empty table in the market square under the stars is all the privacy young lovers can hope for, and what happens there is soon everybody's business. This compelling graphic novel introduces young reader to the life of an Ivorian teen that's both like their own, and utterly different.
"This realistic story immerses readers in the life of an Ivorian teen of the period. Yet for those familiar with the civil unrest occurring in this part of Africa during the ensuing years, the simplicity of life depicted can't help but be extra poignant; the subplot of one teen's unplanned pregnancy has universal elements. Oubrerie's images are comic and light, somewhat reminiscent of Joann Sfar's, who edited this collection when it was first published in France. There is also some fun back matter, including a glossary, how to wrap a pagne (skirt cloth), and a few recipes. This pleasing volume will make a good addition to graphic-novel collections." — School Library Journal
Recommended Age | 16 and up |
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Author | Marguerite Abouet |
Illustrator | Clément Oubrerie |
ISBN | 0224087479 |
Publication Date | Feb 20, 2007 |
Publisher | Drawn and Quarterly |
Language | English |