The Zabime Sisters

Three girls make their way out of their home, leaving their worrying mother behind. One of the girls elects a seemingly more dangerous itinerary than the other two, and that path leads her not just into the proximity of imminent physical violence, but into another story entirely. She steps not just out of the close comfort of her kin, but also out of a story line -- out of one and into another.

There's something entrancing about how Aristophane tells such a simple story, or collection of stories, yet accomplishes something that feels fraught throughout with anxiety, an anxiety at odds with the storytelling's elegance.

The art plays a similar role. On the first impression, it is an impressionist relating of conversation -- there is very show more little actual action in the book, aside from the action of people walking and talking -- but quite quickly it becomes apparent that the drawings tell much of the story, the way characters are blotted out, the way rough textures foretell rough incidents. show less

This felt like it could have been divided into distinct stand-alone graphic novels. I came to like it by the end, but it took some time as the storylines switched so frequently. I liked the characters, but would have liked to see further development (a good portion of the novel had nothing to do with the sisters). Overall, I'm intrigued by Aristophane and will hunt around to get my hands on more of his work.

A beautiful graphic novel about a normal day in the life of these three sisters on a day with no school. A normal day holds excitement, however. What will the sisters do?

Beautiful insight in the motivations and fears of adolescents.