ARAB IN AMERICA - Mar 28, 2008 - 04:13pm
I disagree with the above review. I found the book fascinating and informative and the fact that there was no "plot" made it original. Often times people forget that the graphic novel medium is unique and sometimes authors try to make a movie or TV show in comic form. El Rassi does not do this and the fact that the personal story is interwoven with political and historical events is a good reason why. He goes back and forth offering both personal insights and historical ones. I think it is a powerful memoir of the post 911 Arab American experience from a uniquely Arab or Muslim perspective. And how often to we get to hear those voices? And I actually loved the art – you can see that everything was hand done (even the lettering) so it might not be for those that prefer slick computer generated or aided art. The art, like the book itself is authentic and honest.

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