'Turkmenistan RPCV Jesse Lonergan's Joe and Azat' a quick, pleasant read



The Joe of the title is a Peace Corps volunteer, and Azat is the Turkmen who befriends the American during his two-year hitch. Joe is based on writer/artist Jesse Lonergan ("Flower & Fade"), who served in the Peace Corps in Turkmenistan, and the book is largely true.

'Turkmenistan RPCV Jesse Lonergan's Joe and Azat' a quick, pleasant read

Comics: 'Joe and Azat' a quick, pleasant read

Submitted by SHNS on Tue, 10/27/2009 - 15:26

Most of us have never wanted to go to Turkmenistan, nor could we find it on a map. But the graphic novel "Joe and Azat" ($10.95, NBM/ComicsLit) depicts it as an awfully interesting place.

The Joe of the title is a Peace Corps volunteer, and Azat is the Turkmen who befriends the American during his two-year hitch. Joe is based on writer/artist Jesse Lonergan ("Flower & Fade"), who served in the Peace Corps in Turkmenistan, and the book is largely true.

So one almost wants to meet Azat, the eternally optimistic and enthusiastic Turkmen with an idealized view of America, plus grandiose dreams of business success and romantic love. Joe knows that Azat's ambitions are preposterous, but Azat's enthusiasm is infectious and, more importantly, he proves to be a true friend.

Which is probably a necessity in Turkmenistan. As described in the book, it's a barely civilized autocracy buried in Central Asia with customs and a lifestyle that few Westerners could understand or navigate. Azat proves to be a lifeline to Joe more than once.

Which means that, in addition to the personal narrative, "Joe and Azat" serves as something of a travelogue, a growing segment in graphic novels. This book fits on the bookshelf well with "Shenzhen: A Travelogue from China," "The Burma Chronicles," "Pyongyang: A Journey in North Korea" and other graphic novels that do double duty.

Lonergan's art is cartoony but effective. "Joe and Azat" is a quick read, and a pleasant diversion. Who knows? Maybe by the end you'll want to go to Turkmenistan.

Links to Related Topics (Tags):

Headlines: October, 2009; Peace Corps Turkmenistan; Directory of Turkmenistan RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Turkmenistan RPCVs; Humor

When this story was posted in November 2009, this was on the front page of PCOL:




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