Book Review: Aya by Marguerite Abouet and Clement Oubrerie

Aya is written by Marguerite Abouet and illustrated by Clément Oubrerie and the book won the 2006 award for Best First Album at the Angouleme International Comics Festival.

The graphic novel is published by Drawn and Quarterly.

Aya is the protagonist of this graphic novel, sets in the Ivory Coast. The events happening in her neighbourhood are unadulterated and observed through her eyes-a determined teenage girl with her own dreams and hopes. Life in her neighbourhood is always eventful, especially with her 2 girlfriends who are constantly looking for love and the elusive Mr.Right.

The graphic novel presents a side of Africa, that may seem not so different from other city in the west ,but yet has it own peculiar quirks and idiosyncrasies.

I was hooked on the comic right from the start, with the artist’s wonderful illustrations The expressive and fluid inkwork makes each panel a joy to see.

Abouet's writing is incisive and humorous and really captures the essence of the characters and bring the reader in. I like how the story arc develops and neatly conclude them at the end.

Even though the story takes place in the Ivory Coast-the same universal theme of growing up years will resonates with the readers . A gem of a graphic novel!

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