by Shaun Tan

 

A unique textless graphic novel, in black, white and sepia, The arrival draws its inspiration from tales of migrants in past and recent times.

 

The central character is a middle-aged man who arrives in a strange new place and tries to find a place to live, a job and a handle on a new language. He encounters many challenges, all described entirely through visual sequences.

 

The absence of words emphasises the strangeness of the situation and the loneliness experienced by many migrants, but the ending is full of affirmation and hope, when the wife and child the migrant had to leave behind are finally able to join him in their new homeland.

 

A haunting and beautifully illustrated novel with imagery that will stay in the memory of the reader long after the cover is closed.

 

This book has received worldwide praise. It won the 2007 CBCA Picture book of the year and the NSW Premier's 2007 Literary Awards Book of the Year among numerous other credits.

 

Shaun Tan is a graduate of the University of Washington in 1995, with honors in fine arts and English literature. He lives in Perth, Australia.

 

Hard cover. 128 pages.

 

Age 12+