The Blue Road: A Fable of Migration
By Wayde Compton
Arsenal Pulp Press, 2019. 116 pages. Young Adult Comics.
The Blue Road is a graphic novel that tells the story of Lacuna, a girl living alone in a swamp made of ink who does not remember where she came from or how she got there. One day she meets Polaris, the will-o'-the-wisp guardian of the swamp who tells her she must leave his realm or die. She decides to try her luck in the world and sets off on her journey to the North Kingdom. Following the blue road, Lacuna overcomes many trials before reaching her journey’s end. However, once she gets to the North Kingdom Lacuna finds out that her quest to belong somewhere is only beginning. She realizes that “Leaving, arriving, and returning all mean starting all over again”.
This modern-day take on a fable is touching, with gorgeous artwork and poetry. It depicts made-up characters in a fantastical world but tells a story that has significance in our world. I like that it uses fantastical elements (world-building, surrealism, epic voyages, imaginary creatures, etc.) to convey the message that our laws, practices, and regulations can seem outlandish or whimsical to new people. Any aspect of the immigration experience can be applied to what Lacuna goes through, whether that is experiencing xenophobia, transportation issues, language barriers, lack of employment opportunities, racism, housing issues, or cultural differences. This book shares in an easily digestible format just a little bit of what an immigrant goes through and is thought-provoking.
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