Aya

EXTREME WARNING: Unless your computer has updated Norton Anti-virus protection or comparable protection against covert & malicious software (which infects your computer & then downloads all your files at night by spies) DO NOT ACCESS ANY OF MY REVIEWS!!! [This is no hype or joke.]Far from the super-hero/super-villian schlock of comic books that most of us grew up on, today's genre of graphic novels [much like Life itself] come in many different flavors and styles. But the best ones...just the same as really good novels... reflect the complexity of Life... with an honesty and a maturity about love, relationships, sex, lies, truth, racism, and other adult concerns.Often as people get older, they mature...but sometimes, many people don't. It really depends on the person. For myself, I can say that--as a reader--my appreciation of Black romance novels and Black graphic novels has definitely risen over the past few years...simply because there are more of both kinds than ever. Most Black romance novels I have typically found to be mediocre [but almost always sexually explicit and/or downright pornographic.] In direct contrast, I have found Black graphic novels to be exemplary...both in style and substance... from the excellent historical biographies of GOLDEN LEGACY COMICS by Bertram A. Fitzgerald, to the political commentaries and social insights of Aaron McGruder's THE BOONDOCKS; from Juan Diaz Canales' outstanding BLACKSAD novels, to the always accurate African-American histories of Ronald Laird's STILL I RISE.Now, comes the sophistication of an urban West African society that's clearly being demonstrated in three graphic novels by Marguerite Abouet---AYA, AYA OF YOP CITY, & AYA(THE SECRETS COME OUT.) Of all the graphic novels mentioned [each of which I highly recommend to you], I believe these three novels by Marguerite Abouet are the most sophisticated, mature, and adult in content; and are simply extraordinary as literature. [But for graphic design, I believe BLACKSAD is the absolute best of these.] Yet, all of them are for intelligent, intellectual, and mature adults... who I am sure will enjoy and appreciate each one, just as much as I have.

I usually don't read graphic novels, but I'm glad I read this one! This graphic novel tells an African story from a native African author. There is some humor in this book and that makes it more entertaining. The illustrations in Aya are all very detailed and colorful. The illustrations definitely make this book what it is. There are different colors and use of lines throughout this book. When the characters are angry, the illustrations are colored red and there are more lines involved. As a college student, I think this was a very interesting read. I am going into Elementary Education and I would definitely not use this in a classroom; however, I think it has some eye opening scenes. I wouldn't teach this in an Elementary classroom because it wouldn't be appropriate and it would be a challenging read young children. Also, there's not a big enough topic to educate students on. The biggest topic would be how women are treated. Men do not treat women very nicely in Aya. As a college student, I learned more about their culture in Africa. The illustrations helped me get a visual of what their villages look like. Aya is a character different from the other women in the book. Her life doesn't revolve around boys and partying, like many others do. Aya is determined to be a doctor. Aya is very easy to follow and a very quick read. I am looking forward to reading the next Aya book that goes along with this one!

I came across the book Aya in one of my college course examining international children’s literature. It was my first experience with graphic novels, and I really enjoyed it. I thought that the use of lively color choices and the drawing style made the novel very enjoyable to read. The plot line of the book is realistic fiction and it matches my choice in genre. It had lots of eventful storylines and surprises that I want to go a find the second book to read. This graphic novel provides an opportunity to analyze and discuss how gender roles are portrayed through the lives of these characters. We had many interesting discussions about this book in my class. I would recommend this book as a piece of literature to be available as maybe an independent reading book for students or as a book for entertainment. I would recommend this graphic novel for first time graphic novel readers because it followed a more traditional graphic novel set up and clear drawings and text made it fun to read.

Aya is a really upbeat and fun read for young adults and even adults to read. This African city novel is originally a French novel, but is translated into English and ties place in the Ivory Coast in the 1970’s. The graphic novel follows along the lines of a soap opera, leaving you want to keep reading to find out even more of what happens next. The characters are fun, unique and easy to follow. The book is very humorous and touches on topics of how women are treated and differences in social classes. The illustrations are vivid and fun and really capture Yopugon and their traditions. Once you get to the end of the graphic novel, you will not want it to end due to the cliff hanger that Abouet leave you with. If you’re like me you’ll be eager to get the second one, in order to find out what happens next!

Aya is a funny and colorful look at what it was to be a woman in the 1970’s living in the Ivory Coast in West Africa. This book has warm and beautiful illustrations that tell the story of a friend group trying to figure out their place in life. These girls deal with the issues that come along with coming of age, pressure from parents, and divides in friendships. This book is a great graphic novel choice, and I encourage you to read it!

Through the warm and bright illustrations, this book tells the story of Aya and her two best friends. We see each girl go through a different coming of age experience. This story shows the hardships that women may have encountered in Africa during the 70's. While we did not see an educational point in this book, we thoroughly enjoyed the entertaining and humorous plot.

Finally managed to purchase (in English) the complete Aya set and was very happy with my purhcase--from beginning to end!

I read the first Aya book after several years of avoiding comics and really enjoyed it. The artwork was fresh, the story (though somewhat soap opera-ish) was enjoyable, and the world seemed familiar to Westerners yet distinctively African. I picked this sequel up after a few years of reading hundreds and hundreds of comic books and found it to be not at all what I was expecting it to be.The artwork is ok but the story is just too slight to make up an entire book. Aya is an independent woman who isn't throwing her life away too early by becoming a single mother and then abandoning hope of a career or a life outside of Yop City. Commendable but then she doesn't really do much else but observe her friends and family doing the opposite. Her friend is pregnant - but who's the father? Her dad's having an affair! And that's about it. Some romantic misunderstandings and it feels very much like a comic book version of your average soap - slight, brainless, and ultimately a waste of time.I wanted to like this series but having discovered a wealth of comic books available that offer far more substantial content, I've found that "Aya of Yop City" isn't one of them.Better comic books: "Habibi" by Craig Thompson, "War Stories" by Garth Ennis, "Transmetropolitan" by Warren Ellis, "It's a Good Life If You Don't Weaken" by Seth, "Fun Home" by Alison Bechdel, "Hark a Vagrant!" by Kate Beaton, "Paying for It" by Chester Brown.

Bit disappointed that this wasn't Book 1 of Aya - which seems to gone out of print and is impossible to buy now. No point in buying this unless you've already got book 1 as the characters and main plot lines don't work independently.