The Arrival
Ratings101
Average rating4.5
A wordless graphic novel, The Arrival is the story of a man who leaves his family to work in the big city of a foreign land. The pictures show a place both familiar and strange, people both familiar and strange, objects both familiar and strange. That combination of familiarity and strangeness created a feeling of fascination in this reader that kept me reading (Reading? Is that the word for figuring out the story from the pictures without text?) to the end. A brilliant book. A must-read.
There is no written text in these book, you will use your eyes as you experience the images presented to you in this heartfelt story. The illustrations are magnificent and it's hard to describe all the care, craftsmanship, and imagination it probably took to make this book. Definitely a must see!
This hit every single one of my heartstrings and I'm on the verge of tears. Beautiful and perfect in every way.
A story told wordlessly, as only a masterful comic book artist could do.
The beautiful images placed next to one another form a visual thread that is easy to follow and understand. The story about the different experiences of immigration was poignant and felt realistic despite the fantastical setting. This authenticity was achieved through meticulous research and inspiration from real events without merely replicating them. (Shaun Tan's note at the end mentioned photos of post-war Europe and Ellis Island, among others as reference points)
A thought-provoking and captivating work of art, Shaun Tan's The Arrival is a graphic novel I highly recommend to anyone seeking to explore the possibilities of the medium.
entirely graphic story about a man who leaves his family behind to emigrate, looking for a better life for them all. Drawn in shades of brown, very beautiful.
Finally got a chance to read this beauty.
With no words to guide the story, the artist has a nice way to catch the viewer's attention.
Telling a story just through images is a task which Shaun Tan executes beautifully.
As many, I am sure, must have said before me - I now understand why this book is vehemently recommended.
A must read for those looking to start reading graphic novels.
PS. So lucky to be in a place with a library that has such gorgeous books. So so grateful.
Very touching immigration story, excellent artwork. The complete absence of words works very well in support of the feeling of isolation.
Absolutely stunning. Illustrations are so incredibly detailed, a book that you read through looking. No words needed.
With no words Tan perfectly brings to life the immigrant experience. The sadness and fear of leaving behind those you love, the loneliness, the fear of a new place and the joy and wonder and new experiences. Each person telling their own story to our immigrant and each helping a little along the way. There is a feeling of community and the whimsical surroundings convey beautifully how strange and different things seem to newcomers.
I loved it.
gorgeous wordless fantastical illustration of an immigrant experience of going to a foreign land and making a home there.
I wasn't sure what to expect when I saw that this book was wordless. Words aren't needed as the images are rich and evocative and draw you into the story right away. Frame by frame the story unfolds in your mind. Lovely book and great visual “reading” experience.
Pretty fantabulous. I'm not one for surrealism, but here it was great. A tale of immigration, told without words, and with huge, strange gestures and moments and creatures and things. I loved the little interludes about other immigrants' tales of arrival. I also loved the sheer expressiveness of Tan's drawing style (all pencil?); the shadowing! The faces! Oh my.
I read this in the children's library at the Eric Carlisle Museum days before my wedding. It was so emotionally evocative in a vague complex way that I instantly made a mental note to add it to my library, so I could share it with others. Of course, in the excitement of the succeeding days, I forgot all about The Arrival until just a few days ago when Christian Heilmann tweeted some images of the art. And now, I will have to find some shelf space for this wonder.
I can see why people might think this is an amazing graphic novel, but I just didn't get it...
Wordless wonder. Magical, touching, real: a stunning work of art to be explored and experienced many times over.