Reviews tagging 'Confinement'

Palestina by Joe Sacco

13 reviews

maestro_cerrotorcido's review against another edition

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5.0

This collection of Palestinian accounts of the horror forced upon them by the occupying settler colony of Israel is a must read for understanding the occupation of Palestine. It was an incredibly difficult read due to the pain you feel when you put yourself in the Palestinians’ position. I learned so much such as different types of torture used, the appropriation of Palestinian goods to be sold as Israeli goods in Europe, the extra taxes Palestinians have to pay that Israelis do not, etc.

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biab00's review against another edition

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Important if you want a quick show and tell of what's happening in Palestine. 
This is from the 90's but unfortunately not a lot has changed, it's even worse now.

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dafni's review against another edition

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emotional informative reflective sad tense slow-paced

4.0

Although a graphic novel, this is still a hard read especially when one reflects on what is happening today in Palestine and when the book was written (1990s). As a reader, I am thankful for the Palestinian stories and resistance to have come to light, and I have learned a lot from this book, as historical information is presented in a very accessible way and through people’s lived experience.  However, I felt more hopeless for all the efforts these people have done over the years to feel heard and witness supportive action from the West and neighbour Arab countries, and how we have utterly disappointed them (and we are still doing so). This is probably why it took me ages to finish it. The photojournalistic element and graphic design is outstanding. The only detail I did not appreciate throughout the book is the author’s commentary, which was an effort to be humorous/sarcastic (?), I don’t know, but was definitely not needed and only added to my frustration 🙃

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erikachung182's review against another edition

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challenging informative reflective slow-paced

5.0


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maryncemetery's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

5.0

A harrowing and important read. Especially in light of current events. 

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angievansprang's review against another edition

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4.0

This is the very first graphic novel I’ve ever read, and I don’t think I enjoyed doing so in a digital format. This was of course to no fault of the author, so I wouldn’t say it affected my rating. Another note I will add is that I did not do enough research about this author before picking up the novel, and I believed he was Palestinian which he is not. I think it is of the utmost importance to read from Palestinian authors at this time to hear their stories directly, and I certainly hope to do so soon myself. I thought this was an incredibly effective story to read at this time in history. Palestinians have been terrorized by Israelis and the IOF for so so long, and it was eye-opening to read this work which was written about the ‘90s and published in 2000 with the ongoing genocide occurring in the Gaza Strip. Sacco uses the medium well to illustrate both the living conditions and horrendous recounts of torture and unjust incarceration that he observed. I also felt that the artist captured facial expressions well, and I thought that added so much emotion to the text which was already wrought with it. An emotional, informative, and powerful read. Free Palestine, from the river to the sea. 🇵🇸

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robinks's review against another edition

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5.0

A powerful collection of images and information about the occupation of Palestine. The comics cover a wide range of intersectional topics. Sacco also writes about and acknowledges his privileges in being able to travel safely and have comforts in Gaza. It is wild but also unsurprising that this was drawn based on experience in the early 1990s, and 30 years later, it still rings true based on news from journalists in Palestine.

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beanmilkcantread's review against another edition

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4.5


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meganpbell's review against another edition

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4.5

Eyewitness journalism meets comics in this landmark work of graphic nonfiction, based on over a hundred interviews in Gaza and the West Bank during the author’s visit in the 1990s. This book is intense, ugly, heartbreaking, and remains unfortunately not only relevant but urgent. The author comes across as pretty unlikeable—but you have to respect his transparency. I read this on the recommendation of Jewish author Sim Kern.

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jhbandcats's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense fast-paced

5.0

Absolutely devastating. I’d been wanting to read this for ages - I love Joe Sacco - and with the fighting between Hamas and Israel in Gaza right now, it seemed the perfect time to learn some history. This was written in 1992-1993. Nothing has changed except the area is even more densely packed. 

Without citing specific examples, I’ll just say the situation is horrific, it has been horrific since 1948, it will always be horrific, and I see no hope whatsoever. 

This book should be required reading for everyone - EVERYONE - right now. 

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