Tales from the Inner City
Shaun Tan
I've found that Shaun Tan is a master at crafting experiences. With his writing and his images, he fully immerses the reader into his world, and Tales from the Inner City is no exception. I had read his book The Arrival last year and was impressed by the amount of emotion he was able to pack into a book with no words, so when I found Tales from the Inner City I was excited to be welcomed back into another one of his universes.
Tales from the Inner City is a collection of stories, poems, and paintings about a world that is dominated by animals. The book itself is sorted into sections based on different creatures, each accompanied by its own painting made by Tan. Beyond that, it is a reminder of our place in the world. Tan strikes a balance between the affection and devastation of humankind and reminds the reader that we are as capable of destruction as we are of incredible acts of love.
I don't think this story could have been told in any other way. The different voices and mediums used for each section complement his notion of an ecosystem -- small parts coming together to make something greater -- and the story is only heightened with his paintings, with some even being used to create story beats within their section.
I'd highly recommend this book for someone looking for something that is both heart-wrenching and heartwarming, enjoyers of multimedia storytelling, and animal appreciators.
4.5 Stars