Book Review: Papaya Salad by Elisa Macellari

Impression

This had all my favorite qualities of a graphic novel. Historical, biographical, poetic, mythological, spiritual, meaning-filled and kaleidoscopic.

The colors were vibrant and I loved the story-within-story. The oratory offering of intergenerational wisdom and the images, the echo, the evolution of what comes after.

I have been in daily loving ritual with my ancestors for a couple years now, although I know their spirits have been watching over me for much longer than that. I saw the flavor of that steeped throughout this, the Spirit-infused Knowing that has the capacity to carry us through the most difficult of times.

Forget-Me-Nots

p. 102

“Of course, one cannot prevent the birds of anxiety from flying over ones head… but you can stop them from nesting there.”

“This journey’s going to be amazing. Allow me five more minutes of emotional imbalance.”

p. 160-161

“Are you scared?”

“A bit…”

“Don’t be… everything will be fine, you’ll see.”

“Mmm… what if it’s not?”

“We’ll know what to do.”

Recommend for

Graphic-novel lovers

Folks who enjoy themes of: intergenerational stories, historical (ww2 era), auto/biographical

Ideal Setting

*on a humid sunny afternoon where you find yourself in nature, where no e-mail may reach you, where it is spacious enough to hear the cacophonous lovesong of nature and quiet enough to hear your ancestors whispering, welcome home, welcome home

Rating

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Book #103 of 2024