The Arrival by Shaun Tan

This wordless book is absolutely stunning. I’ve read it twice through and it still takes my breath away. Don’t be fooled by the “wordless” description. This is not a picture book for little kids (although some of the more sophisticated ones might enjoy it). The story, of a man immigrating to a new land, is told both clearly and symbolically. The artwork, a kind of sepia-toned print, is rich and powerful, and heavily influenced by one of my favorite artists, Hieronymus Bosch. Everyday actions, such as the man leaving his home and family, are combined with fantastical elements, such as the shadow of a dragon tail weaving itself through a town poised for destruction. The new world is full of unintelligible signs, strange creatures and bizarre machines … all of which makes this “stranger in a strange land” feel that much more isolated. The passage of time is beautifully depicted, by endless panels of clouds during his boat trip across a sea, and by plants blooming in the spring only to be covered in snow as winter progresses. The great thing about wordless books is their universality and their ability to be interpreted on deep and complex levels. Our lead character encounters many people along the way, none seem to be “from” this country, but all have stories about the struggles that drove them to seek a new home. As the American grandchild of immigrants, I saw this as a uniquely American experience, complete with Ellis Island. Imagine my surprise to discover that the author is Australian! Some of the images he used were from the Ellis Island archives, but much of this story comes from the immigration stories of Australians. As proof of the web of human experience, the book ends with a story much like those throughout its pages. An immigrant girl who has acclimated assists another “fresh off the boat” arrival. Each time I look at this image, I feel it drives its way further into my heart. This book is a joy. Take time to delve into it.