The Arrival by Shaun Tan

What is really great about reading a piece of work without any words is that there is no confused perspectives or worn down plots. Everything is straight to the point. It's simple, but more beautiful and honest in a way. It was interesting that a running theme throughout the story was that this man who migrated to this new place with a new culture and language could not communicate. Yet, we were not given this information through words but simply character expression and juxtaposition. There was a sincerity in the comparison of the story itself and also how it was told. There were a lot of simple, yet clever transitions in The Arrival. The story starts with these 'clips' of items that seem random but also important. Then, we receive the bigger picture...literally, and see all of these small items that could be in a photo book or scrap books, sit unscaled in this beautiful yet sad look of a family. The man puts these belongings in to a trunk and rests his hands on top of it. The next illustration is of the wife's hand resting on the man's. Not only are these transitions smooth, and carry the story seamlessly, but they also are great tools used to show the emotion and story behind these characters.

Another element to think about how Shaun Tan was able to tell such a delightful story using no words is what he choses to focus on. This is a book that pulls you in, and you are unable to hesitate because you are immediately going on this somewhat heartbreaking journey with this man. You cannot get lost within mumbo jumbo like some books. You are living this life alongside him. There are some stories where people are unable to attach to because they do not feel immediately connected to the character. Sometimes that is not necessarily the author's fault but the reader themselves, but using The Arrival as an example...I have been to two foreign countries in my life, but I was just a visitor. I could not imagine, using my own mind, what it would feel like to have to uproot your life, be away from your family, and live and work in a foreign country and culture, but The Arrival made me know exactly what it is like. At least through his own perspective, which in my opinion seems to be a universal feeling.