Contrary to my first impressions of the book, Sacco has created an interesting alternative to typical history books. I absolutely loved this book. I still cant get over the detail in every single one of his cartoons. I found myself just staring into the pictures looking at every detail down to the tiny microscopic grass leaves and roof shillings and everything, wondering how on earth it was possible and how he could spend so much time on every single detail. I also found this book addicting, I had trouble putting it down just for two seconds, the characters had such different personalities and kept it really intriguing. It also made everything so realistic, its like you really felt the violence and misfortunes these people endured. Sacco was able to really make it personal with the combo of drawings and easy to read captions.
Safe Area Gorazde also really exemplifies the intensity of ethnic battles. I cant believe how absolutely radical and irrational the SDS were. It also evoked such empathy from me for the Muslims and the Croats who didnt want to fight. I feel so bad for the main guy, Edin, who tried so hard to make peace with his neighbors but they just weren’t having it. I kind of got confused at one part though when they were at Edin’s house and he pointed out that his Serb neighbors had torched it, because he said earlier that his Serb neighbors and him lived in peace for many years…so why would his neighbors randomly go and torch his house? Because of the newfound radical nationalism? I never knew that religion could seriously have such an effect on people. It also really bothered me that none of the Serbs, not even ones he was extremely close friends with in school would give him the time of day, Edin seems like such a nice guy. Anyways, I highly reccommend this book and am excited to discuss it in class.
