Shake Girl by the Stanford University Graphic Novel Project 2008

[katekintailbc]

Shake Girl
by the Stanford University Graphic Novel Project 2008
http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/9757607/

Oh my gosh, this was amazing. Pretty much all I know about Cambodia is the Khmer Rouge and the genocide that happened in the past. I have never been challenged to think about current day Cambodia or the generations coping with the current state of things after all that happened in their country. I certainly had NO idea some of these shocking things were going on.

The main character is instantly likable and sympathetic, trying to be an upstanding young girl and support her family by selling shakes to tourists or whoever else. I love her pluck and attitude. And I love how much she loves her family. But no matter how hard she works, she doesn't make as much money as she would like for medicine and comfort.

So when she is offered a better paying job, and promised that it won't jeopardise her morals, she takes it--who wouldn't? And when a businessman tips her and gives her advice to help her made more, she takes it--who wouldn't? She becomes wrapped up in something so intense and powerful, from which she cannot escape. But the beauty and horror of this story is the fact that she (and I) didn't see it coming. It all happens with so much free will & casualness, and it happens so slowly. There's no sudden "she's in trouble and should get out!" moment until it's too late.

And in the meantime, you get more wonderful moments with her family--a cousin from America, her sister & a movie star who once upon a time taught them dancing. Her whole world starts spinning with excitement.

I was absolutely shocked, as well as informed, at the ending. It's too horrific to even imagine this happening in real life, yet the facts that more than 100 Cambodians have been targeted in acid attacks *shudder* I felt ill, but it wasn't until page 204 with that famous photo about the Napalm that made me start crying (I'd just seen that Pulitzer Prize winning photo in a museum).

This was an amazing story. It might be a novel, but it's based on true facts. And it's fascinating that a whole class turned it out as a joint project. What a fascinating, terrible, wonderful result. And, yet, the note on which the book ends is chillingly upbeat. Amazing.