The Forgotten Slaves of Tromelin

author: Sylvain Savoia
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.40
book published: 2015
rating: 4
read at: 2018/08/11
date added: 2018/08/11
shelves: graphic-novels, non-fiction
review:
'The Forgotten Slaves of Tromelin' by Sylvain Savoia is two true stories woven together. One is from history, and one is from those looking to discover that history.

In 1760, a French ship named the Utile ran aground on an island called Tromelin. It had 160 slaves aboard that it wasn't supposed to be carrying. Of the 80 that survived the shipwreck, we follow the life of a young woman trying to survive. The white men build a boat and leave the island. One promises to return, and the young woman believes him.

In the current day, the island of Tromelin has a remote weather station. A group of men, including the author/illustrator are there to uncover what can be found of the life that the castaways found. Along with this, are the feelings of being on a remote island with limited water and power. In a place of sparseness and beauty, the author finds a rhythm to life.

Along with the story, is a written account in the back with maps, letters and photographs of the event and the archaeological dig that took place.

I found it fascinating. I liked both stories, and how the lives of these two people centuries apart intermingled. The art works really well for the story. Since the drawings have no borders, I sometime found reading to be confusing, as I wasn't sure if the text was below the line I was reading, or above the line below. That's a minor quibble and shouldn't stop you from reading this.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Europe Comics and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.


via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/2vyTiI4