We will discuss Craig Thompson’s Habibi, his nearly-700-page graphic novel later this week. I planned on writing my own review of this book, but I have chosen instead simply to post links to several other reviews. Most reviews below are critical of Thompson’s use of Orientalist stereotypes, in spite of his claim to use them in order to expose their fallacies (see, for example, the interviews below). There are, of course, numerous other reviews one could read about Habibi, but the theme of Orientalism dovetails nicely with other themes that we will be covering in class shortly. I hope to write some of my own views about Habibi, but two obstacles are in the way at the moment: (1) Time constraints; and (2) A (current) inability to conjure anything “nice” to say about the book (other than the obvious: Thompson is a phenomenal artist and storyteller). When I put the book down last night, I wondered why the reviews were not more critical… but I will let readers sift through the following critiques to make their own determinations about whether the reviews are too harsh.
Craig Thompson’s “Orientalism” (and more) in Habibi (accessed: May, 16, 2013)
1. Can the Subaltern Draw?: The Spectre of Orientalism in Craig … hoodedutilitarian.com/…/can-the-subaltern-draw-the-spectre-of-orientalis…
2. I’m Not Your Habibi: Thoughts on Craig Thompson’s Graphic Novel … www.racialicious.com/…/i’m-not-your-habibi-thoughts-on-craig-thomps…
3. Self-Conscious Orientalism in Craig Thompson’s Graphic Novel Habibi www.patheos.com/…/self-conscious-orientalism-in-craig-thompsons-grap…
4. Adventures in Orientalism: A Review of Craig Thompson’s Graphic … www.sarahcypher.com/…/adventures-in-edward-saids-orient-a-review-of…
5. The Earnest Orientalist – The Sunday Guardian www.sunday-guardian.com/artbeat/the-earnest-orientalist
6. ‘Habibi': Orientalism for Dummies | PopMatters
7. Cartoon Art Museum » Craig Thompson Presents Habibi cartoonart.org/2011/09/craig-thompson-presents-habibi/
8. Graphic Novels Looking East, Looking West « Arabic Literature (in … arablit.wordpress.com/2011/…/graphic-novels-looking-east-looking-west…
9. Habibi – Written and illustrated by Craig Thompson – Book Review … www.nytimes.com/…/habibi-written-and-illustrated-by-craig-thompson-b…
10. Difficult Literature: http://sequart.org/magazine/10081/habibi-open-dialogues-with-difficult-literature/
Online Background Information (and tons more available, of course):
- Habibi (graphic novel) – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habibi_(graphic_novel)
- Craig Thompson’s Website: http://www.craigthompsonbooks.com/2015/
- Interview with Thompson: http://www.motherjones.com/media/2011/09/craig-thompson-blankets-habibi-interview
- Another interview: http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=34587