Customer Reviews

Kampung Boy

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Everybody talks about how important it is to promote multiculturalism to our children. Kids are fed the usual everybody's different/everybody's the same stuff year after year, sometimes illustrated with color pictures in a social studies textbook. The obvious conclusion to draw from this would be to think that this would mean that the world of publishing books for kids would be rife with writers from all over the world. Yet one of the biggest shocks I received when I became a children's librarian was to see the lamentable lack of books for the kiddies from any countries aside from the U.S., Canada, Great Britain, and sometimes Australia. I was baffled. We hardly get any books from India? But aren't they an English speaking country anyway? And how about, oh I dunno, the ENTIRE CONTINENT OF AFRICA? Nothing? Nada? Oh, I was pissed, no question. Since that time, I've put a fair amount of energy into trying to read every little tiny children's book from another continent, no matter how small. Lately, however, I've been falling down on the job. I don't know if it's ennui or the fact that I've been reading a lot of books solely from the U.S. lately, but when "Kampung Boy" flew out of left field and ker-whalloped me upside the head, I never saw it coming. Sweet child of mine, this isn't just a graphic novel (with far more emphasis on the "novel" part than usual). It's a graphic novel originally set and published in Malaysia. And the year it was originally published in Malaysia? 1979. Now the book, all thanks to First Second Books, has come here to the U.S. o' A. and I couldn't be happier. Let's practice a little of what we preach, okay? You believe in multiculturalism? Then give this book to a kid right now.

Mat was born in Malaysia to a stern but pleasant mother and a deeply warm and caring father. Raised in a kampung (or village), the reader watches as he goes through the basic day-to-day events of growing up. The kampang is situated beside a rubber plantation and a tin mine and young Mat spends his days growing and learning. He attends school so as to learn Tajwid (reading Arabic with the proper enunciation). He makes friends with some of the local boys and spends his days swimming and checking his fish traps. At ten he's ritually circumcised (and it turns out to be far more boring than painful). Of course, Mat would love to spend his days just fishing and hanging out with his friends. His father, on the other hand, would like him to do especially well in his studies so that he can be admitted to a boarding school in another city. Mat isn't too thrilled at first, but then his father reveals to him that his inheritance is a great deal of land. Land that will be his if he passes his examination. Altogether, this is the story of one boy trying to figure out what he wants out of life. Does he stay with what he's familiar and comfortable with? Or does he leave the kampang he loves in search of better things?

Lat. You ever heard of him? No? Well, I'm basically talking about "one of the most beloved cartoonists in Southeast Asia", or so the bookflap says. So why the 27 year old gap between the book's appearance in Malaysia and its sudden cropping up here? Dunno. Perhaps, and stay with me on this one, American publishers weren't convinced of the crossover appeal. I know. Shocking. Credit First Second, of whom I am rapidly becoming a fan, with bringing books of this nature to the graphic novel (to say nothing of librarian) market. The writing itself is methodical, but never really ever dull. There's a great deal of humor here alongside the storytelling. It also impressed me deeply that Lat took the time to show significant moments, like his ceremonial circumcision, alongside small family memories that smack of the truth. There's a great moment when Mat's dad attempts to impress his offspring with diving stunts of various styles. Or, more significantly, when his dad would take Mat to the tiny village railroad station to watch the enormous 5 o'clock mail train whiz by.

The design of this book was one I haven't seen much of before. Rather than the standard panels, speech bubbles, and other graphic novel tropes, "Kampung Boy" seems far more inclined towards fitting descriptions and text in where the illustrations allow for white space. Dialogue, when it appears, is quoted as you would find it in a book rather than a graphic novel. The illustrations themselves are just pen and ink, but they have a kind of goofy sophistication. My husband glanced through the book and remarked that there were times that he was reminded of that old Mad Magazine comic artist Don Martin. Lat also isn't afraid to engage in silent and entirely visual passages, as his characters dash from mischief to avoiding punishment what they've just done. The characters themselves are fabulous too. It's all barrel-chested adults and squat roly-poly kids. Noses tend to look like a lowercase letter "w", but with an extra loop for good measure. Individuals, by the way, are very easy to pick out. I was especially fond of the kooky cock-eyed circumciser who sits with a perpetual and never changing smile in his face.

I was somewhat amazed to see that in the Publisher's Weekly review of "Kampung Boy" (quoted as saying, "with humor and affection, Lat makes the exotic kampung feel familiar."), there is an assumption that this book is better suited for fans of Marjane Satrapi. I can only assume that the author of the review was aware of very few graphic novelists when they wrote such a comment and rather than compare Lat's work to Art Spiegelman, they grasped at the only other artist they could think of. I'm a huge fan of Marjane Satrapi, don't get me wrong, but what (aside from the graphic novel format and the fact that author/illustrator is not American) similarities exist between "Kampung Boy" and "Persepolis"? "Persepolis" is a deeply personal and political adult treatise on living in a repressive state. "Kampung Boy" is far better suited for a child audience, with far more attention paid to the main character's personal growth than that of a nation as a whole. I've said it before and I'll say it again... give "Kampung Boy" to a kid, pronto.

As pointed out in a review of this book by Read About Comics, there is no formal storytelling structure to "Kampung Boy". Also, the ending leaves you hanging. Our last image, not to give anything away, is of Mat in the back of a bus headed away from the only place he's ever lived. I suspect that those who feel a connection to Lat's tale will be clamoring for First Second to publish the follow up novel, "Town Boy". There are few graphic novels that could do more than this book to bring entirely new worlds to the attention of their child readers. This is one of those very few. I'm a little worried that the design of the cover won't immediately attract young readers. Still, if they just read a couple pages, some (if not all) of the graphic novel enthusiasts will find a kid here worth rooting for. Engaging, fun, and deserving of its praise.

Here's a graphic novel about a boy growing up in Asia. It's fun to read because there is a lot of humor. I tried to read it to my 4-year-old son, but it's too long for him to pay attention.

This is quite a wonderful graphic novel and should be in every k-12 school library -- probably several copies because once parents get their hands on it they'll want to keep it. It provides an engaging glimpse into growing up as a boy in a Muslim Malaysian village where the traditional agricultural life is on the verge of disappearing. For history/social science teachers it provides great material for talking about the practice of Islam outside the Middle East, industrialization, education, friendship and childhood rites of passage, -- how to have fun without screens. When someone (firstsecond books?) publishes the follow-up volume, Town Boy, there is terrific material for discussions of multiculturalism. But apart from all these classroom excuses, it is hilarious and will just make you happy.

Lat takes us on a journey of his childhood growing up in the Kitna Valley in Perak in the 1950's. Lat is master storyteller as he takes us down the wandering path of his memories showing us the ceremonies that were still practiced--such as asking the local teacher to take on students, the feeling of swimming in a river as the cool water washes over you, and the warmth and somewhat craziness of family--like the dad that takes off his shirt to scratch his back on the pole when he gets home from work, caring for siblings, and the discussions of future. But the modern world is gradually approaching with tin dredges and trains and automobiles. And Lat is about to head off to school in another town away from his family.

This book is done in a sketchbook style, with written descriptions of the events and illustrations accompanying them. The deceptively simple illustrations are compelling and catch that slice of life that seem to be missing in many modern comics. He doesn't hesitate to illustrate what life was really like growing up for him, even if it means depicting his own backside as he and his friends strip down to take a swim in the river. Most importantly even though Lat illustrates how things are different in his world, there is much that is similar to our own way of life. The time spent with family and friends, the time spent at school..the more things seem to be different the more there is that is the same.

I highly recommend this book and it's sequel (Town Boy) to anyone and everyone, but particularly to the younger generation. Not just as a chance to illustrate the differences between cultures, but a chance to illustrate the similarities between them.

Really entertaining and thought provoking. It really gets you thinking about global econonomy and its impact on small communities. It is a great vehicle to learning about Malaysia. I will add this to my classroom library (grade six) to help with world geography.

This wonderful comic tells the story of Lat's happy childhood in a small Malaysian village, circa 1950. The details of Lat's daily life are vivid enough to evoke warm feelings for even us westerners who''ve never stepped foot in his country. Humor is balanced with a love of his family and homeland. Lat's style is not "beautiful," yet somehow wonderfully evocative. The book is also remarkable how it shows the lives of Muslims in a non-stereotyped, non-politicized way. Highly recommended.

As a young boy who grew up in Malaysia in the 80's, Lat was not only a part of my youth, but also a way of life for most all Malaysians and expats alike. I live in the states now and have not been back to Malaysia in many many years and was very surprised to have come across the Kampung Boy while browsing through Amazon. Naturally, I had to have it! It brought back so many memories of life over there as Lat touched on so many aspects of the amazing culture you experience from life in the Kampung! Beautifully written and illustrated, this book is a masterpiece and always will be!

I bought my copy of Kampung Boy more than 15 years ago. I'm glad it's now available on Amazon for all to buy. The story will remind anyone of their own childhood.

4.5 stars outta 5 - this great family book will transport any of us.

i really enjoyed reading this book with kids, and they really enjoyed it too...asking when we could continue the tale?....
the illustrations are fantastic... well worth re-visiting.
there is a very nice, authentic feel to Lat's story telling and this story of growing up is brilliant, without being intense.
the vibe of the book is rare to find...and very honest.
i'd also reccomend it for those boys not particularly interested in reading - for a few different reasons.

Kampung Boy is one of the sweetest and lovely graphic novels I have read in a long time. A pre-quel to Town Boy, Kampung Boy gives us a first hand account of Lat's early growing-up years in his tiny village in Malaysia. Intricate drawings capture the stance and the expressions of his family and neighbors beautifully; they convey the flavor and atmosphere of his little town; the words are just right; the sentiment is nicely doled out & not treacle-y.

A real love letter to his childhood!