The visuals tell the story so well, there isn’t a need for much narrative or speech bubbles, making this a very easy read. The vivid green, bown and goldish earth tones warmly transport you through an animated Ivorian daydream for pages of excitement. Oubrerie delivers lively illustrations throughout. It’s a bunch of scattered tables in an open lot. You get a sense of the local humour –an open market square where the youngsters go for after dark liaisons is nick named “Thousand Star Hotel”. There are parties, romances, easily enraged parents and young folk misbehaving. The every day dilemmas of the characters are colourfully told with a chuckle, cheering you to laugh along. Abouet aimed to show the bouncy side of Africa often missed in the media but enjoyed by the citizens. She also still has to fend off unwanted admirers- more escaping by dashing through the streets than swiping left on Tinder.Īya is far from a history lesson though, it’s light hearted entertainment. She still sneaks out with her friends come nightfall like some nineteen year olds do.

As a young woman, Aya constantly argues her admirable aspirations with her parents amid slowly changing attitudes. Seeing though the eyes of Aya gives an insight into life as an African girl in the 70s. We see an obvious rich-poor divide, amusingly shown by playboy Moussa’s parents’ disdain at the company he keeps.Īn open market square where the youngsters go for after dark liaisons is nick named “Thousand Star Hotel” There are nods to brands like Nescafe, Omo and Solibra beer – all of which had recently become more accessible to the growing new middle class. There are never ending street bars welcoming everyone and a sunny optimism in the air. The country is enjoying relative wealth following independence in 1960 and it’s residents are definitely celebrating the benefits while they last. Set in 1970s Ivory Coast, Aya Of Yop City is subtly socially and economically aware.

Her good friends Bintou and Adjoua cover that ground for her- a little too well as it turns out! Along the way the reader gets a mischievous introduction to some of the charms of African city life. Not with the young man her parents want her to marry though. Residing in vibrant Yopougon (Yop City), she learns, parties and occasionally flirts. We meet a young, level headed Aya and the continuous chain of liabilities that are her family and friends. There’s a hint of nostalgia, even though I’ve never been to Côte d’Ivoire… or the 70s.Īya De Yopougon (Aya Of Yop City) is the first in a series of six Aya stories created by writer Marguerite Abouet and artist Clément Oubrerie. Was it good or bad? This was quick, funny, warm and energetic. First Read:2011, It was exciting to see an African take on graphic novels and Aya didn’t disappoint

Aya of yop city