“Special, strange, and peculiarly potent... Extraordinary.” —Variety
One night in Beirut in September 1982, whi... read full description
reviews
Dec 11, 2011
Niks
rated it: 
I loved the narrative, the way it flowed from the viewpoint of one character to another by means of flashbacks. It's like zooming into a scene through the eyes of one viewer then again zooming out of the eye of another as the story in real time went on. Got very heavy in the end, how he had buried the massacre deep within himself because he felt guilty about having participated in something he had not been aware of at all. Pretty much throughout the book there were hints of how when they had bee
More...
Dec 13, 2010
matt
rated it:
Really potent and deeply felt illustrated examination of amnesia, collective and personal, about an event which is hidden in the unconscious for what are pretty understandable, all-too-human type reasons. I have a lot of respect for anyone who is going to do some truth telling as an excersize in evidence against interest- if it feels good for you to talk about it, it probably isn't something which is as important as that which brings shame.
I think Folman has accomplished som More...
Jul 10, 2009
Shaun
rated it:
Reading Waltz With Bashir has been an interesting experience. Initially I was under the impression that it was a graphic novel based on a live-action movie, but as I came to learn more of the graphic novel's history I realized that this is a direct film-to-book translation of an animated piece. Each panel is captured from the film and given English dialogue. Despite my general dislike for book adaptations of movies, Waltz With Bashir actually works, because as a graphic novel it is as visually s
More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Jun 25, 2009
Update: read Ha'aretz review by Gideon Levy, who has a point - criticizes Waltz with Bashir as being propaganda for the Europeans, Americans...Israelis atoning for a war in the past, not for recent ones, Folman becomes another artistic export/national treasure, etc. etc. Still, Waltz with Bashir is worth reading/seeing.
Read the graphic novel; loved the graphic novel; have yet to see the film; would love to see the film. I have not read many graphic novels - I've only read the pop More...
Read the graphic novel; loved the graphic novel; have yet to see the film; would love to see the film. I have not read many graphic novels - I've only read the pop More...
May 04, 2010
Chad
rated it: 
The art is beautiful, and the depiction of war as pointless violence is effectively delivered, but the translation of the material from film to graphic novel robs the story of some vital spark.
Prior to this reading, the specific history of Lebanon had been mostly unknown to me. The names Lebanon and Beirut were media buzzwords in my youth during the country's civil war that raged through the 80s. I'd alway just associated the country with war and ruin. "Waltz with Bashir" More...
Prior to this reading, the specific history of Lebanon had been mostly unknown to me. The names Lebanon and Beirut were media buzzwords in my youth during the country's civil war that raged through the 80s. I'd alway just associated the country with war and ruin. "Waltz with Bashir" More...
Aug 10, 2010
Tsehay
rated it:
I love graphic novels and this one was haunting. A soldier goes through an introspective journey in an attempt to recall some of the horrors he witnessed/experienced during Israel's war in Lebanon. I haven't seen the film but the art work has a mature, intensity to it and the stories recounted were tragic and fascinating. The soldier is astounded by his inability to recall key memories and connects with several people who had the same experience though it is entrenched in their memory. There was
More...
Oct 20, 2010
Fathima
rated it:
I wonder about the self-pity of soldiers, and how it gets used to absolve themselves of their participation, direct or otherwise, in massacres. Narrating a story about the carnage at the Lebanese refugee camps of Sabra and Shatila exclusively from the perspective of the soldiers who did not stop it reduces the victims, living and dead, to anonymous subjects, rendering these people secondary to a story that, arguably, was more important to them than to the aggressors. And the ethics of telling a
More...
Sep 24, 2011
Erin
rated it:
I loved the movie. When I saw this book on remainder at my local bookstore, I bought it. I still love the movie, and as an adaptation of the movie, this is pretty darned good. The art is breathtaking, and the pacing quick, disorienting. I do remember finding the movie far more gripping. That said, I find both the movie and the novel difficult in that the narrative is entirely told from the point of view of the Israeli soldiers in the 1982 Lebanon War. Don't get me wrong, this is an importa
More...
Mar 18, 2009
Dale
rated it:
I was slight disappointed that this was a book made from a movie. Somehow that made certain parts of the plot feel contrived, like they probably flowed better in that genre than as a graphic novel. The illustrations were phenomenal and engaging. I take my time with graphic novels in general, but this one really had me staring at pictures to really absorb all the detail before moving on. The story was also quite interesting. Having never been to war myself I find it fascinating to see how in
More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Apr 04, 2010
Charlotte
rated it: 
This is a powerful use of the comic medium. It shows the bazaar mix of reality and unreality that war can bring. At the end there is a great switch from comic to real footage of the massacre discussed in the entire book.
The strength of this book is that is shows the complexity of the Palestinian/Israeli conflict. This is just one of many atrocities that has taken place throughout the conflict. It kindof brought into focus for me why long term peace is so illusive in this region.
More...
The strength of this book is that is shows the complexity of the Palestinian/Israeli conflict. This is just one of many atrocities that has taken place throughout the conflict. It kindof brought into focus for me why long term peace is so illusive in this region.
More...
Apr 19, 2010
Kobeest
rated it:
i will admit to seeing the movie of this first...but as far as i can tell the book was put together from movie material. in any case, both works are extremely potent. Ari Folman uses the comic format to deliver a digestible, intensely emotional account of his connection to the sabra and shatila massacre in 1982. the story of over a thousand Palestinian and Lebanese Muslims slaughtered by Christian Phalangists comes in steps as Folman gives us his own and fellow Isreali soldiers' recaptured memor
More...
May 15, 2011
Erik
rated it:
[Dutch]
De bloedbaden in Sabra en Shatila vonden plaats vanaf 16 tot 18 september 1982 in de gelijknamige Palestijnse vluchtelingenkampen in de Libanese hoofdstad Beiroet. Naar schatting werden 700–3500 personen, veelal burgers, vermoord door een Falangisten–militie. Ari Folman gaat in de graphic novel Wals met Bashir op zoek naar zijn rol in dit drama.
Lees meer op 8WEEKLY More...
De bloedbaden in Sabra en Shatila vonden plaats vanaf 16 tot 18 september 1982 in de gelijknamige Palestijnse vluchtelingenkampen in de Libanese hoofdstad Beiroet. Naar schatting werden 700–3500 personen, veelal burgers, vermoord door een Falangisten–militie. Ari Folman gaat in de graphic novel Wals met Bashir op zoek naar zijn rol in dit drama.
Lees meer op 8WEEKLY More...
Dec 06, 2011
Jake
rated it:
I thoughts the movie was terrific, and the comic reads just like the movie. I saw the movie right before I went to Lebanon, so it was interesting to go through the story again after being there. I think it is such a good story because it doesn't seek to demonize Israelis or Palestinians, as so much media about this region tends to do. It shows the horrors of war in a novel and unique way. I recommend the movie over the comic probably, but definitely check out one or the other.
Mar 20, 2009
Kari
rated it:
I have not seen the movie yet, but got the book based on the reviews of the movie. The story is actually quite short, and the moves briskly. I read this in about 45 mins before bed. I wish there was maybe a bit of a historical introduction, kind of placing the story for those that don't know all the facts about the invasion and the war. I think the art work and layout is strong, and overall it made me more curious to learn about this period of history.
Oct 18, 2011
Davey
rated it:
Read as a reward/distraction upon finishing my first draft of my thesis. Dig his decision to practically make memory into its own character, visually manifesting as hallucinations and uncertainties throughout the book. I almost feel like it takes away from his responsibility to any sort of truth, instead embracing inaccuracies as a sign that we think.
Side note: Ironic that I chose to read the book because I didn't have time to watch the film.
Side note: Ironic that I chose to read the book because I didn't have time to watch the film.
Nov 07, 2009
Jennifer
rated it:
This is a very interesting and completely devastating story about the massacre of 1,000 of Palestinians in the name of fighting terrorists. It is also an examination of how we lose our memory in the face or horrors, and what veterans face. This bio-graphic novel follows the authors attempt to recover his memory of the night of the massacres when he was a 19 year old Israeli soldier fighting in Lebanon.
The comic is based on the movie of the same name.
The comic is based on the movie of the same name.
Jul 23, 2009
Molly
rated it:
This was pretty good- excellent illustrations and quite visually startling at times. It was a quick read, too. My only issue with it was that I know nothing about the Lebanon war, and this book kind of starts off assuming that the reader knows everything about it.
But I love the idea of memory- what are memories, where do they go, how do we know what's real? Those are kind of what came to my mind when reading it.
But I love the idea of memory- what are memories, where do they go, how do we know what's real? Those are kind of what came to my mind when reading it.
Mar 31, 2009
Matthew
rated it:
Normally a comic book based directly after a film sends me running away screaming. The film won a Golden Globe last year, and this comic deserves at least some nominations for serious awards in comics this year. The imagery is often gruesome---especially the very real photographs included at the end---so I wouldn't suggest this to just anyone. But for any readers questioning the purposes of war will find this fascinating, gripping and really powerful.
Jun 22, 2009
Meri
rated it:
This one is not for the faint of heart. It tells the story of a massacre that took place in Lebanon during The Six Day War (?) through the eyes of the people who were there, most of whom have blocked out the memory in some way. It also talks about PTSD and the mind's way of dealing with horrible memories. On a personal note, I need to lay off the heavy stuff for awhile...
May 29, 2011
Lauren
rated it:
An Israeli war veteran searches through his traumatic memories of the massacres during the 1980s war in Lebanon. He realized that he shut his memories of those events out, and as he tries to find the "truth" of what happened, he reunites with some of his fellow soldiers. During his search, he sees the mysterious way the mind works and learns that some of his "memories" never actually happened, but were actually dreams or alternate realities to disassociate himself from the
More...
Mar 24, 2009
Tessa
rated it:
Mostly this just really made me want to see the movie.
One of the things I was lamenting to myself about myself as I was reading, though, was "oh Tessa, you should know more history." But by the end of the book, I felt like my ignorance worked for me and for the plot--war is pretty senseless, after all, if you're inside of it.
One of the things I was lamenting to myself about myself as I was reading, though, was "oh Tessa, you should know more history." But by the end of the book, I felt like my ignorance worked for me and for the plot--war is pretty senseless, after all, if you're inside of it.
Jun 17, 2011
Peacegal
rated it:
This graphic novel follows, shot, by shot, the movie upon which it was based. No doubt Waltz will find its way onto the shelves of more than a few peace activists; it really hits home with the damage and innocent death caused by war. Waltz is a thoughtful answer to all of the action comics that glamorize fighting and warfare.
May 14, 2009
Broodingferret
rated it:
This was pretty good. The art had a sharp severity and to match the gravity of the topic. While the dialogue could have been more solid in a few places, it was still an overall successful presentation of the confusion and frequent meaninglessness of war, and the price that war often exacts on those caught in it.
Sep 11, 2009
Yesyoucandy
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Dec 29, 2009
Carrie
rated it:
I'm generally not a graphic novel fan. I've tried to read them before, but I somehow end up getting lost/bored. Maybe because this one is shorter or because it's based on a film I want to watch, I got through the whole thing. The premise is interesting and the end result is devastating.
Mar 31, 2010
Thomas
rated it:
Not a bad graphic novel, but I think the movie would have more punch. The limited audience appeal of the story is explained by the subject matter: Psychological problems and identity crisis of a Israeli Jew who was present and tangentially participated in the Palestinian Massacres in the West Bank. It's internal conflicts were not resolved and lead to a very bland catharsis. The author and his collaborators would sound more credible if they weren't trying to absolve themselves. Rather hypocritic
More...
Jul 27, 2011
Absolutly horrifing and amaizing story. Wonderful naration and lines. The images seem about to break through to realistic photorgraphs making the truth of the people's words even more profound. It was as if the book was speaking.
Oct 18, 2009
Ichaerus
rated it:
A beautifully illustrated and powerful graphic novel. I didn't realize it was a direct adaptation of a film, in fact, I didn't even remember having heard of the fild until I finished it. I will definitely check it out now, though.
Sep 02, 2009
Kennis
rated it:
The artwork was beautiful, mixing hand-drawn animation with computer graphics. The story however felt choppy. All in all a good read tho - gave me a better perspective of the israeli/palestinian conflict (and war in general).
Mar 08, 2009
Bayneeta
rated it: 
I read this in anticipation of the film (nominated as best foreign film for the 2009 Oscars). Not sure what I was expecting but, while the illustrations were excellent, I'm only luke-warm about this graphic novel.
