the best book I’ve (not) read in years

Well, I didn’t read it because it doesn’t have any words. But The Arrival, by Shaun Tan, is about the most beautiful and moving book I’ve seen in years.

Go get it at the library or buy a copy–get a new one so the author can get a little money–and be prepare to be amazed. It takes about thirty minutes or so, longer if you really examine the drawings–which is worth the time because they are deep, beautiful, full of surprising details and strong emotions–and so far every time I go through it, it makes me cry both with great sadness and happiness. And, I’m telling you, that’s Art, in the most capitalized sense of the word, or nothing is.This one, in context, breaks my heart every time.

I picked the book up at the library the other day after Neil Gaiman mentioned it on his blog (saying it ‘is a book I tend to force people to read,’ which I totally understand now), and so I had no other preconceived notions about it, and not a clue what it was about. Which served me very well, as the entire thing opened out before me new and surprising. And so it is with hesitation that I link to this interview with the creator, but it is a good one, so, go get the book first, and then read the interview. Really, go out and find a copy of this book. Go on. Hey, why are you still reading this?