Nine years ago New Orleans was challenged by Hurricane Katrina. Many of us remember the news coverage of citizens on roof tops waiting to be rescued, the stories from those huddled with thousands of others riding out the storm in the Superdome, and the haunting images of neighborhoods washed away.
Non-fiction graphic novel A.D. New Orleans After the Deluge portrays what it was like for citizens of New Orleans before, during, shortly after and years after Katrina. This graphic novel takes on the task of telling true the stories of five individuals who were affected in different ways by the storm. One stubborn doctor doesn’t think it will be any worse than other hurricanes and refuses to leave. A store owner stays behind to guard from possible looters. Each story vividly portrays the thoughts, emotions and reactions these citizens had toward the storm that tried to take their city. The end of this novel is inspiring and reminds us that those who call New Orleans home met the challenge of Katrina with strong will and a loyal love of “The Big Easy.”
The author of this novel, Josh Neufeld, went down to New Orleans shortly after Katrina to volunteer with the American Red Cross. Being a comic writer and journalist he took the stories of those he met and turned them into this heart breaking and inspiring graphic novel.
If you are interested in another non-fiction graphic novel similar to this one I would highly recommend Fax from Sarajevo: A Story of Survival. It tells the story of a family’s struggles during the Bosnian Conflict.
Don’t forget to check out our Graphic Novel Symposium September 18 and 19 (from 10 a.m to 3:30 p.m.) for interesting lectures and fun activities!