The Comic: Safe Area Gorazde: The War In Eastern Bosnia 1992-95
By: Joe Sacco
By: Joe Sacco
Type: Graphic novel
Content Rating: PG-13, for war violence and occasional language.
Plot: A work entirely of nonfiction, Safe Area Gorazde follows the author, Mr. Sacco, around in his four different trips to Bosnia during the Bosnian War. The narrative is a combination of Joe's own observations and anecdotes mingled with those of his friends and several interviewees, essentially making this a sort of graphic-novel-form War Journal. It tries to incorporate perspectives of all three fighting groups (the Bosnians, Serbians, and Croatians), but leans heavier towards Bosnian-Croatian, having less to say from the Serbian perspective. He includes some narrative that recounts prewar conditions, to give a better scope of the war as whole, and also includes a segment where he visits postwar Bosnia to comment on the changes brought about. Perhaps to make his self-as-narrator more iconic or to emphasize his "otherness" in the land, Sacco draws himself unflatteringly exaggerated and cartoony, sort of a caricature, while most other people are drawn more realistically.
Personal thoughts: This is one of those "probably never would have picked it up if it hadn't been assigned for a class" books, but I'm glad to have a copy. People who enjoy historical accounts should like this especially, people who dislike them may find it a bit dry in spots but nonetheless compelling. It was especially interesting to me given my age--this war took place while I was alive, but I have no recollection of hearing anything about it, possibly because I was too young to take notice while it did happen.
Holden Out.
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