Aya (Hardcover)

~ Marguerite Abouet (Author), Clement Oubrerie (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Abouet could have just wanted to tell a sweet, simple story of the Ivory Coast of her childhood as a counterpoint to the grim tide of catastrophic news, which is all most Westerners know of Africa. But in Aya, Abouet, along with Parisian artist Oubrerie, does quite a bit more than that, spinning a multifaceted romantic comedy that would satisfy even without any political agenda behind it. Set in 1970, Aya follows the travails of some teenage girls in the peaceful Abidjan working-class neighborhood of Yopougon (which they call "Yop City, like something out of an American movie"), as they strive for love and the right boyfriend. Yop City, as detailed in Oubrerie's fluid and cartoonish black and white drawings, is a mellow place where disco rules the night and practically the worst thing these girls have to worry about is the disapproval of their parents—or in the case of the quiet title character, criticism from those who wish she were more boy-crazed and less focused on a career. It's a quick piece of work, but memorable in mood, capturing the country's brief flicker of postcolonial peaceful prosperity before descending into the modern maelstrom of corruption and violence we know only too well. (Feb.)
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From School Library Journal

Grade 10 Up—Studious Aya and her flighty party-girl friends, Adjoua and Bintou, live in suburban Ivory Coast in 1978. Aya hopes to continue her studies and become a doctor, while her father, a manager at a local brewery, would rather see her marry well. Unfortunately, the mate he has in mind for her, the son of his boss, is an even bigger partier than Bintou and Adjoua—as all will soon find out. Aya is actually more observer than participant—most of the action revolves around the peripheral characters—although she is often an instigator. This realistic story immerses readers in the life of an Ivorian teen of the period. Yet for those familiar with the civil unrest occurring in this part of Africa during the ensuing years, the simplicity of life depicted can't help but be extra poignant; the subplot of one teen's unplanned pregnancy has universal elements. Oubrerie's images are comic and light, somewhat reminiscent of Joann Sfar's, who edited this collection when it was first published in France. There is also some fun back matter, including a glossary, how to wrap a pagne (skirt cloth), and a few recipes. This pleasing volume will make a good addition to graphic-novel collections.—Jamie Watson, Harford County Public Library, MD
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Product Details

• Hardcover: 132 pages
• Publisher: Drawn and Quarterly; 1st Hardcover Ed edition (February 20, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1894937902
• ISBN-13: 978-1894937900
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #105,049 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Aya de Yopougon, December 14, 2007

By	Ms W (Worldwide) - See all my reviews

I discovered the Aya series while in Paris. I don't speak French, but bought all three books because the illustrations are BEAUTIFUL. Clement Oubrerie's illustrations depict Africans in such a beautiful manner. I can make out the story via the illustrations and love it. I can't wait to purchase the English editions!!!!! Whether you purchase this book in French or English, you won't be disappointed. Lovely, just lovely.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful, insightful look into the 'Real' Africa!, December 16, 2007

By	Nathaniel J. Moody "Zanzibar Star" (Somerville, MA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Aya wonderfully captures the true look, feel, and...ENERGY!!! of an African city, in both its lighthearted storytelling and spot-on illustrations! The street scenes, the disco bars, and characters in their 70's duds is just sooooo perfect! Having lived on the Continent for 2 plus years, I go to this book when I want to be swept back there. If you have a love of Africa, or a love of simple storytelling, buy this book!!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Peace Before the War, January 15, 2009

By	B. Wolinsky "Ben's Reviews" (New York) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I was excited to see a serious graphic novel about Africa. But after reading it, I'm not sure why. I read the jacket info which is very clear; it says this story takes place in 1970's Ivory Coast, when the country was stable thanks to foreign investment. But it also states that the foreign investment would later disappear. Is this going to be a book about Africa before the "troubles"?
In a lot of ways, AYA is like a long stare at post-independence Ivory Coast. There's nothing terribly special about the story; you have some young women, going through the usual ups&downs of work, school, boyfriends, etc. You almost forget that this is the 1970's and their world would later be destroyed by civil war.
Perhaps AYA is really about nostalgia. It reminded me a little of the book "A TIME BEFORE CRACK" which documents early-1980's Harlem; a time when Harlem wasn't a good place to live, but wasn't yet ruined by crack.
AYA is like A TIME BEFORE CRACK. It's a serious story, not terribly unique or dynamic, but you know that whatever happiness the girls know will soon be over.