Pride of Baghdad Book

Pride of Baghdad is a graphic novel based on the true story of the four lions who escaped Baghdad Zoo during American bombardment in 2003. Somewhere between 'The Lion King' and 'Turtles Can Fly', Pride of Baghdad poignantly expresses the realities and consequences of war through the experiences of animals. Following in the tradition of Orwell's allegory of Communism and workers' revolution in 'Animal Farm', the novel hauntingly conveys the senseless destruction caused by conflict and ironically portrays an incredibly human narrative, despite its distinct absence of "two leggers" (as a wise old River Tigris turtle aptly describes us).

Baghdad Zoo: Zill, the alpha male lion of the pride is venting his annoyance at a bird high up in a tree who repeatedly squawks "the sky is falling!" The bird is swiftly proved correct however (in a way) as American fighter jets scream overhead just metres above the enclosure walls. After much discussion over the jets and some reminiscent flashbacks to the wild (which introduce a little of the main characters back stories) the planes return and a series of explosions shake the zoo, reducing the walls of many of the animal enclosures to rubble. Queue a mass exodus of captive animals reminiscent of the stampede scene in Jumanji, featuring zebras, elephants, rhinos, giraffes and antelopes. Zill, Safa (the old lioness), Noor (the young lioness) and Ali (Noor's young cub) taste freedom as their journey outside the confines of the zoo and through the decimated streets of war torn Baghdad begins. The lions' experiences on their journey through the city highlight the collapse of Iraqi culture after the fall of Saddam's dictatorial regime and the less obvious destruction that war and conflict can cause, specifically to innocent victims caught in the crossfire.

This beautifully drawn and astutely written graphic novel is an eye opening war commentary which is all the more affecting for its use of animals, whose exploits tug at the heart strings in a way no human protagonist could. The novel is almost childlike in its bright, colourful style but its topic and explicit content is distinctly adult in nature, which would restrict my recommendations to people above the age of sixteen. The story is heart warming at times, distressing at others but will undoubtedly haunt you and keep you thinking for weeks. My only criticism is that the book is not long enough to fully develop the four main characters as deeply as I would have liked. However, this is a minor problem in what is an outstanding piece of fiction and art. Pride of Baghdad is a must for any graphic novel fan and should be essential reading for any book lover who fancies a slight change of medium. This would make a really great stocking filler for teenagers this Christmas. I implore you...give it a try.

From one of America's most acclaimed comics writers a startlingly original look at life on the streets of Baghdad during the Iraq War inspired by true events.

In the spring of 2003, a pride of lions escaped from the Baghdad Zoo during an American bombing raid. Lost and confused, hungry but finally free, the four lions roamed the decimated streets of Baghdad in a desperate struggle for their lives. In documenting the plight of the lions, Pride of Baghdad raises questions about the true meaning of liberation - can it be given, or is it earned only through self-determination and sacrifice? And in the end, is it truly better to die free than to live life in captivity?

Based on a true story, Vaughan and Henrichon have created a unique and heartbreaking window into the nature of life during wartime, illuminating this struggle as only the graphic novel can.