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Aaron And Ahmed. Jay Cantor, Writer (2011)

by Jay Cantor(Favorite Author)

3.12 of 5 Votes: 1

ISBN

085768244X (ISBN13: 9780857682444)

languge

English

genre

Historical Fiction

publisher

Titan Publishing Company

review 1: This is actually a pretty subversive little story, for a variety of reasons. I'm a little curious as to why it was written in graphic novel form, as it seems like a traditional novel would have served the story a little better, but that said I still enjoyed reading it. The central characters have a really nicely complex relationship, making for a very interesting and often surprising read.On the downside, the story feels a little outdated. The central question of "what makes a suicide bomber do what he does?" is a little circa 2004, although I suspect that what the author is really asking instead is "how do seemingly repulsive ideas move from one person to another" and the suicide bomber business is just a tactic to get at the larger question. On the upside, I really liked... more both Aaron and Ahmed as characters. Considering the relatively little time we get to spend with both of them compared to what it would have been if this had been a traditional novel instead of a graphic one, I feel like they both really come to life. If anything, I wanted to learn more about Ahmed, although I think his mystery is really kind of the point.There's a slightly odd mix of fantasy into this that was a little unexpected (although it's a graphic novel, so I suppose I shouldn't be surprised) but it's handled well in that the author plays with the readers a bit to allow the fantasy elements be interpreted either literally or just as a product of the characters' guilt and emotional exhaustion. This book is actually a lot bolder than I think it's going to get credit for, mostly because I feel like a lot of people will get stuck on the trappings of the story (the suicide bombing and the post-9/11 paranoia) and not pay as much attention to what's really unconventional about it (the relationship between Aaron and Ahmed).
review 2: The premise of this novel made me want to race out and buy it. Addressing 9/11 in an engaging way? Yes! Investigating the root causes of terrorism? Yes! Exploring theories on terrorism? How cool!I'll start out with the illustrations, however. I'm not a religious graphic novel reader. I'm not familiar with James Romberger. Illustrations that are landscape or scenic are very well done. The montage involving the Old Man, were slightly surrealistic, and enhanced the theoretical mind-altering experiences Aaron experiences on his journeys.On the detracting side however, the first half of the novel finds both Aaron and Ahmed drawn in a sketchy style, as though they were ideas still being fleshed out, then in the last half they are quite refined, to a point where I'd almost think they were drawn by another artist.There are a few places throughout the novel where text (in different languages) is placed on top of art in transparency, and it is, for whatever reason, pixelated. It detracts from the art of those frames.I found most of the illustration mediocre, with some exceptions where it shined.Now, on to the writing! Overall I liked the glimpse of insight the novel gave. I was a bit skeptical that 144 pages would be enough to flesh out the ideas though. It turns out I was right. My major gripe is that ideas/plots are mentioned, sometimes explored briefly, but no topic is done thoroughly. I very much liked the premise of this book, and as a reader I would have preferred a multi-part series which maybe each told part of the overall story, while each release focusing on one of the topics more in depth. Maybe one on memes, one on the terrorist training camps, so on and so forth.Turning the final page, and closing the book raised many more questions than it answered. I'm not a person who wants all the thinking done for me, by any means, but I feel left without leads. Where did they come up with or research their meme ideas, and their terrorist training scenarios? Was the love story of Aaron and Ahmed more a fellowship of brotherhood, or was it more? Previous relationship with a woman accounted for, was this plot-point to show that love is universal?Beyond that, something about the end of the book felt rushed. Everything was so sudden, and plotwise I can't figure out why. To it's credit though, it was a powerful ending. It will make the reader feel very introspective, may make you shed a tear, and definitely pursue a good hug. less

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