Reviews

The Arrival by Shaun Tan

trin's review against another edition

5.0

Beautifully illustrated and conceived wordless graphic novel that puts a fantastic spin on the immigrant experience. Tan makes the new world his immigrants arrive in seem wonderfully—and suitably—alien by filling it with mysterious creatures and exotic architecture; the whole thing has a slight steampunk vibe. And his use of flashbacks is stunning. Tan’s pictures really are worth a thousand words and more.

battramsysni's review against another edition

emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

daumari's review against another edition

5.0

A masterful, wordless piece that follows an immigrant to a strange land, and the stories of the people he encounters. Definitely a fantasy world, but also feeling very much like early 20th century America by using photographic illustrations.

maria_fr's review against another edition

dark reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.0

zosia's review against another edition

4.0

4.5

aker_br's review against another edition

hopeful lighthearted reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

mkfreckles's review against another edition

adventurous inspiring reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

whimsicalmeerkat's review against another edition

3.0

Beautiful and compelling.

ange_27's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

mice_are_nice's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: War