Barefoot Gen, Vol. 3: Life After the Bomb

This volume (#3 of 10 in the manga series) recounts six-year-old Gen’s experiences during the first weeks after the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. Terrible famine, fear and illness surround him still, but there are new human connections too, and a lovely reveal about how he came to be an artist. For me, it’s the best yet in the series.

Gen and his family must find a place to live after the destruction of Hiroshima. Gen's positivity and heroism in the face of despair and selfishness is what keeps his family -- and the reader -- going.

The continuing story of Gen and his family is heartbreaking but never despondent. If you appreciate manga, this story will really bring home the reality of everyday life in Japan after the war and the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

The third book in the Barefoot Gen series, Life After the Bomb continues the horrific tale of post-nuclear Hiroshima and how one boy lived through it all. Trials abound in this third volume, the most memorable of which involves a new character, Seiji, whom Gen is given charge of. Life After the Bomb brings back some of the comic mischief that dominated the first volume and detracts, whether positively or negatively, from the grim story.

Life After... is a welcome addition to the Barefoot Gen storyline, although I did struggle placing this in context with the story's overall timeline. It seems so much time has passed, the family has mourned and roamed the countryside, many nights seemed to have elapsed, and yet, given Japan's announcement show more of surrender in this volume, only nine days have passed. This doesn't seem remotely possible and leaves me disconnected from the story some.

Also, it just dawned on me how ridiculously happy these covers are. It appears this is a happy tale, doesn't it, the way Gen is full of smile. That smile reflects nothing of the horrific images inside of these books. show less

Similar to volume 2, this is an important book to have read, but that's not the same as it being a good book. (I read volumes 2 & 3 back-to-back, so much of my thoughts on volume 2 apply to volume 3, as well.)

2009 (not reviewed, but commented on briefly here)
http://www.librarything.com/topic/68 641#1554406