Posted in
|
Keiko Tobe
|
|
||
|
Genre
|
|||
|
Media
|
Graphic Novel
|
||
Publisher | Yen Press - Orbit | ||
ISBN | 978-075952385 | ||
|
Reviewer
|
Gareth
|
Synopsis
When staffing changes at Masato's company get him transferred to a dead-end job in the middle of nowhere, more suffering and despair seem imminent for the Azuma family. However, Masato approaches the situation with aplomb and comes up with new ways to pave the way for Hikaru to become "a cheerful working adult" with surprising results. And with Hikaru now a 5th grader, Sachiko decides to foster independence in her son by allowing him to go to school on his own. Though the transition goes relatively smoothly, Sachiko and Masato are devastated when Hikaru encounters Oki-kun on his way home from school, only to learn that the boy is being abused in foster care.
Review
With The Light is the story of one families battle to understand their autistic sons life, and integrate him with the rest of the world. Once you get over the format of the manga graphic novel - all Japanese comics are read from back to front. (Starting from the top right of the page to bottom left)- it becomes very easy to read. The style of Japanese comics, in relation to its American or European counterparts, is far more expressive dealing as much with the characters inner world as it is the world around them. There is always a fascination with characters eyes - especially Hikaru's, which are so detailed and beautifully drawn. If eyes are the doorways to the soul -which is what I believe the Japanese think, and I subscribe to- then Hikaru's are expressive of a beautiful person.
Comics, to me, are an undervalued art-form - They are able to show characters thoughts; freeze time and expressions and allow readers to interact in a way that neither TV (which is completely passive) nor books (which is overly reliant on your own interpretation) can touch, and With The Light is a first rate example of this. I've never read a comic that has emotionally engaged me in such a way and it is a testament to Keiko Tobe.
In this, the fourth volume, Sachiko and Masato Azuma start to see ways that they can bring what they've learnt from bringing up Hirarku into their lives. Masato, for example, is transferred into what is perceived as a dead end job, and after initially wallowing in the predicament he is able to turn it into something special. Out of all the characters I find Masato's character arc the most rewarding - in the first volume we see him as a completely egotistical and selfish man -who only thinks about work and can not see the gift that he's been given in Hikaru. By the end of this book he has become an open; emotional man who is able to see beyond the façade that other people project to the core within. He is no longer selfish and seeks to help others - he has become a wonderful father and an example for others to follow!
With The Light is a poignant, rollercoaster of a book, the reader is taken on the full gamut of emotions, experiences and situations, and Keiko Tobe is able to really convey what it must be like for parents who live with autistic children. It also acts as a fantastic textbook on ways to cope and communicate with autistic children. I can not recommend these books enough.
If you enjoy what we provide, please consider making a donation.
