Nonfiction/Graphic Novel Review: Escaping Wars and Waves

At the end of the year, I reviewed a unique graphic novel-style nonfiction book for Shelf Awareness. Escaping Wars and Waves: Encounters with Syrian Refugees by Olivier Kugler is a powerful chronicle - in both words and drawings - of the Syrian refugee crisis.

The author, a journalist illustrator, visited various refugee camps in different countries (plus a couple of refugee families now settled in other countries), and tells the refugees' stories in this unique and moving book. He uses the refugee's own words to describe what they've been through, why they left, what their lives were like before the war, and what things are like in the camps now. Those heartbreaking and inspirational stories are illustrated with drawings made from photos he took during his visits. Here's an example page from the book:

I spent hours poring over these detailed pages, absorbing the stories of these remarkable people - and the people who are helping them. It's a truly unique book that everyone should read.

You can read my full review at Shelf Awareness.

80 pages, Penn State University Press

Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher in return for an honest review. My review is my own opinion and is not influenced by my relationship with the publisher or author.

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You can purchase Escaping Wars and Waves from an independent bookstore, either locally or online, here:

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