Aya de Yopougon, by Marguerite Abouet, illustrated by Clément Oubrerie

Due to the way it's generally reported in the media, when most people in the western world think of Africa they inevitably think of poverty, AIDS and starving, swollen-bellied children. Few people are aware that there were prosperous parts of Africa in the 1970s, with thriving, vibrant cultures all of their own. This is the Africa Marguerite Abouet portrays in her new graphic novel Aya de Yopougon. The story follows teenage Aya who holds aspirations of being a doctor, and so focuses on her studies while her two best friends regularly sneak out to go dancing. Despite being the heroine, Aya serves as more of a confidante to her two friends whose adventures make up most of the story, and manages for the most part not to get caught up in their crises and squabbles. Clément Oubrerie's art is lively and beautiful, with the gift of being able to make you laugh whilst never shying away from the underlying turbulence in the lives of the main characters, and indeed all young adults. In this simple yet charming story, Abouet and Oubrerie revive an utterly enchanting world and shine a light on an Africa most people never knew existed. [Campbell Miller]