Review: Deogratias
Just over a decade ago, the world turned its back on Rwanda, where the majority ethnic group, the Hutu was systematically wiping out the Tutsi. The potent combination of propaganda, artificial lines of racial division, and nationalistic fervor created a poisonous atmosphere that led to the deaths of over 800,000 people despite the presence of a UN peacekeeping force. JP Stassen's Deogratias follows one young man in the months after the slaughter, showing him dealing with the emotional repercussions of his involvement in the event.
The title character's story is revealed in flashbacks that run parallel to the main narrative, bringing the reader to a horrific conclusion that managed to bring me to a complete standstill. By showing our protagonist at both the best and worst times of his life and revealing the transmogrification that takes place, Stassen succeeds admirably in giving the reader an understanding, if not forgiveness, of the mentality that can lead someone to perform repugnant acts against their nature. In some ways, the text reminded me of the confusion that strikes young men and how easily it can be manipulated into something devastating. Stassen's minimal, slightly cartoonish art only brings the emotionally harrowing material into sharper focus.
Deogratias offers no easy solutions, no pithy soundbites about how slaughter is bad, tolerance is good. It paints a picture without judgment and without rancor. Stassen won the his home country's Goscinny Prize for this work, which is somewhat ironic considering that his native Belgium carries some responsibility for the creation of division in Rwanda after taking over the country in the aftermath of World War I. With Darfur currently embroiled in a similar situation, this work is more important and timely than ever. Highly recommended. You can view sample pages here.
The title character's story is revealed in flashbacks that run parallel to the main narrative, bringing the reader to a horrific conclusion that managed to bring me to a complete standstill. By showing our protagonist at both the best and worst times of his life and revealing the transmogrification that takes place, Stassen succeeds admirably in giving the reader an understanding, if not forgiveness, of the mentality that can lead someone to perform repugnant acts against their nature. In some ways, the text reminded me of the confusion that strikes young men and how easily it can be manipulated into something devastating. Stassen's minimal, slightly cartoonish art only brings the emotionally harrowing material into sharper focus.Deogratias offers no easy solutions, no pithy soundbites about how slaughter is bad, tolerance is good. It paints a picture without judgment and without rancor. Stassen won the his home country's Goscinny Prize for this work, which is somewhat ironic considering that his native Belgium carries some responsibility for the creation of division in Rwanda after taking over the country in the aftermath of World War I. With Darfur currently embroiled in a similar situation, this work is more important and timely than ever. Highly recommended. You can view sample pages here.
