A.D.: New Orleans After the Deluge

Hurricane Katrina, which devastated the city of New Orleans in August 2005, was an epic disaster in American history. It held us all in thrall to our television sets for weeks. But what Josh Neufeld's masterful comic book, or graphic novel about the subject wisely does is give us a perspective on this cataclysmic event through the eyes of a few survivors of that drama that goes light years beyond what television delivered. The structure of the book is a calendar posting of the days before, during, and after the storm, chilling depictions of the natural events and a shifting of colors so gripping, that I literally could not put it down. The survivors we follow through the storm and its aftermath are people outside of the gentrified and suburbanized quarters of New Orleans, and much of America. We resonate to their human-scale concerns as they attempt to ride out or evade the destruction that implodes in their midst. Real family values and ties of friendship, not the often erzatz versions that are dispensed through political rhetoric, are present on every page. The drawings and real-life dialogue so viscerally convey their emotions, which you or I might have in a similar situation, that it was hard to keep in mind that this book was a created artifact. It seemed as I read that it must have sprung to life in one moment as the embodiement of this unforgettable event. I don't want to give away any of its contents, so I will just say, it's a must read and a must keep. For high school and college teachers, as I am, I would recommend the Random House Teachers' Guide by Sari Wilson, which helps young people probe the depths of what the Deluge means in the context of their own lives and that of our nation.

This graphic novel looks at Katrina and its aftermath, from five different viewpoints. (Note -- the flap says "seven stories", but it seemed to me that the couple's viewpoint was mostly that of the guy, and the two friends' was mostly that of Abbas.) Point of view aside, this book creates a powerful impression of "what it was like". The most dramatic stories are those of the people who suffered most -- Denise, and Abbas and Darnell -- but the others add to the strength of the overall impression. The graphics are particularly gripping early on, when the storm and the flooding are happening, but they work on many levels throughout the book. Someone criticized this book as being politically slanted -- how could it not be, considering what happened? I don't think it was slanted at all, I think it tells what happened.

I really liked this book. It brings you back to that place and time that so many of us have already forgotten.The comic book format gives you access to characters making those basic human decisions that were so perilous at the time -- a family with a sick kid reaches a hospital which is being evacuate. They can't stop, but have to figure out if they should leave their sick child behind. A shopkeeper needs to decide if he should stay in his store and defend against looters, or abandon the city. Families get dropped off at the convention center and can't figure out if buses will or will not come. Will the feds come and help or not? It's all here.Neufeld's book is really well done and brings these stories to light in a remarkable manner. It is clearly well reported too -- he seems to have spent a lot of time interviewing people to get their stories.It is a quick read, a sad read, and a beautiful read all at once.Ben

Katrina is a really tough subject to tackle, because it was such an emotionally raw event, because it was complicated in how it played out, and frankly because I suspect a lot of people don't want to hear about it anymore.So it's all the more impressive how readable and engaging Josh Neufeld managed to make A.D. The a cross-section of characters are all vivid (and real), with interwoven stories that both humanize the broader story of the storm (the flood, the levee failure), and make its complexities comprehensible. It's not just the decision to use the comix form to tell a nonfiction story, it's how well that form is used here. It's hard to make a story like this one readable without being sensational or maudlin, and A.D. pulls that off.I should disclose some bias in favor of Mr. Neufeld and his work in general, but I think this is his best yet. An illuminating performance and a lasting document.

One thing most of us really wanted was first-hand knowledge of what went down during and after Hurricane Katrina. This book presents a unique perspective on that very subject with its graphic novel format. Easy to read and follow, and the artwork is superb. It is interesting to follow the lives of several people directly affected and see how they they coped with the water, the loss of homes, cars, pets, friends, relatives and property, and even a 15,000 title comic book collection. What happened at the Convention Center? Why did people go there? Why couldn't they leave? Although this is a very serious subject, it is told from a human perspective, with compassion, humor, pathos, and empathy. Did I mention that the artwork is fantastic!?

Book is great, 5 stars, I read if before, loved it, and bought this one for a gift. I ordered a new paper pack version but looks to me to have been used. Edges are worn out and front cover page bent in a couple of spots. I am waiting for replacement so hoping it will be a brand new book

Had to have this book for a summer reading assignment or I probably would have never bought it. It was a good story and a neat presentation of the effect Katrina had on a diverse group of people however I found it hard to follow and really enjoy due to the graphic novel set up. Would be good for a younger kid to learn about Katrina if some of the scenarios weren't so "real" as in deaths and thugs but some of the details might be a little too much for them. I probably would've enjoyed if more if it weren't for it being a graphic novel but to each is own.

Fast transaction and this is a great graphic novel.

L'auteur suit le destin de quelques habitants de la Nouvelle-Orléans qui à l'approche du cyclone Katrina ont adopté des stratégies diverses entre rester chez soi et partir loin. Le roman montre la solitude des victimes face à l'inaction des pouvoirs publics, la précarité de leur situation après la catastrophe, mais aussi leur capacité de rebond. Sur un sujet aussi dramatique, l'auteur fait un récit extrêmement humain, en fait il est allé rencontrer les victimes, au graphisme très agréable. Comme souvent, le récit graphique montre beaucoup plus, et mieux, que ne le ferait une caméra. ici, le dessin est très sobre par son trait et un usage minimaliste des couleurs, mais il montre au plus prêt les espoirs et désespoirs de ces témoins, leur optimisme qui parait déraisonné, leur abattement, leur attachement à ce qui nous semble être des détails mais est central pour eux. Ce livre peut-être lu par tous, comme documentaire sur Karina, le Sud profond, l'humanité, ou simplement comme œuvre graphique.

Great stories and lovely artwork but very short - read it in less than a day!