The Arrival by Shaun Tan
A significant part of the immigrant experience is the struggle to find the right words to express yourself in a foreign language. And that is what makes The Arrival so special; it successfully communicates this experience without the use of words. Shaun Tan creates a universal language to illustrate this experience as a struggle that everyone is able to relate to, the struggles of being an outsider, a beginner, or a newcomer. It makes me reminiscent of the time I had first set foot in the States, most of my life packed in a 23 kg suitcase, filled with awe and uncertainty. Even in this fantastical world, Tan beautifully captures the most mundane details of moving to a different land; trying to navigate through an unknown environment, not knowing how to operate the simplest of things or where to seek help, attempting to establish a routine in all the chaos, confusion and alienation, finding solace in the company of others like you. We are allowed to experience this wo