Amazon

BOOK REVIEW

AMAZON

Author: Canizales From the reader report by: Megumi Matsueda

This graphic novel raises awareness about the tough conditions faced by indigenous communities living in the Amazonas region. It does so in an extremely effective manner through monotone graphic art and the narration of the protagonist, an indigenous woman named Andrea.

The story takes place mainly over a few hours, but events leading up to the story are described clearly at the start of the novel. The tale does not just depict the miserable conditions of indigenous people driven off their land, though. It also features more familiar things, like a scene with an IKEA catalogue, with the author naturally investing us in Andrea’s story.

As we read, learn more about this tale of a woman bravely facing her difficulties, but when Andrea returns to her homeland, her surprising mission becomes clear. We watch this strong woman fighting guilefully for her family, her community, and for the things stolen from her. When she recollects what happened at night, the scenes resemble woodblock prints with their stylized lines on a black ground. The tension that rises up from the darkness is depicted powerfully and effectively. On the other hand, her childhood reminiscences are drawn in sepia tones. This imbues scenes of parental love and the cruelty of young friendships with a melancholic air.

Amazonas lies in an expansive belt of tropical rainforest in South America. Every year, this environment is degraded more and more through the greed of people who don’t care about its importance for the world. This work shines a light on the people living in Amazonas. We feel what they feel and we are forced to think about things like climate change, immigration, gender, inequality and the killing of women. This story is even more impactful given that Colombia was the birthplace of the SDGs movement.

PUBLISHED IN NEW SPANISH BOOKS JP

NUEVO NUEVE EDITORES

Title AMAZON AMAZONA

Author Canizales Genre Comic Pages 96

ISBN 978-84-17989-08-8 Year of publication 2019 Number of editions 1 Language Spanish Spanish retail price 22.00 €

Author’s biography: Canizales is an author and illustrator; originally from Argentina he now lives in Mallorca. He specialises in books for children and has published books in Spanish, English, Italian, French, Polish, Chinese, Portuguese, Greek, Basque, and Korean with several publishers including Penguin Random House, Scholastic, National Geographic, Templar, Apila, Nube 8, Santillana, Varoom, Tatarak, Telos, and Nuevo Nueve among others. Canizales has won numerous prizes for his work, most recently, Amazon won the 5th Divina Pastora foundation prize for a graphic novel with social commentary. www.canizales.eu

Synopsis: Amazon is based on real life happenings and the majority of the story’s action takes place over a few hours on 28th June 2014. Andrea, a woman who was born a member of the indigenous community living in the depths of the Amazon jungle, makes a long journey to return to her homeland from the unhealthy and overcrowded conditions she has been forced to endure in Cali. Unfortunately, she finds her home taken over by mining and under the ownership of an armed group.

Publisher: Nuevo Nueve Editores Publishing house specialising in graphic novels, comics, illustration and children’s stories.

Publishing rights available from: Nuevo Nueve Editores - CIF B88382684 Juan Álvarez de Mendizábal 25, local Dcha, Madrid, Madrid www.nuevonueve.com Contact: Ricardo Esteban Plaza [ricardo@nuevonueve.com] [rodolfo@nuevonueve.com]

Phone: (+34) 639 337 347

Prizes and reviews: V Premio Divina Pastora de Novela Gráfica Social.

Comments: The book is named “Amazon” in honour of the women of this part of the world. Andrea is an authentic “warrior woman”. She says: “I’m not bothered about being sexy while I’m busy saving the world”