CPE 2016 Book review correction

Submitted by Clara Cristalli

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CPE Writing Exam Part 2

You belong to an English-language reading group which recently read a book in cartoon format. You have agreed to write a review of the book for the group’s website. In your review you should give your opinion of the cartoon format used for the book and say whether you think cartoons are a good way of telling a story, in general.

Write your review.

Review on the book:The poppies of Iraq

The poppies of Iraq is an autobiographical cartoon by Brigitte Findakly. The author was born in Iraq in the early 1960’s and spent her childhood in Mosul until her family went into exile in France in the 1970’s. Her book is both about her family memories and the political and social situation of her country during those years.

Reading this book made me realise cartoons are a fantastic way to tell a story. They sometimes say  It is often said that a picture is worth a thousand words. Well, they are right. Cartoons allow authors to present a complex plot in a few images. Colours, textures and shapes convey meanings, so if the cartoonist is talented, reading a cartoon can be as strong as reading a novel. 

In her riveting work, Brigitte covers several decades of the Arabic country in a few pictures and drawings. Her cartoons also allow her to address serious topics such as politics and war in a colourful way which results much easier to digest. Regarding the particular cartoon format that she chose, every page telling a different mini story,  I am of the opinion that it fantastic. It allows her to break the barrier of chronological time, taking us smoothly back and for as many times as she wants.

I totally recommend The Poppies of Iraq to both children and adults. It is a playful animated journey  in which we learn about a different culture and reality, while laughing about innocent ever-day family anecdotes. 

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