Baddawi

An arrestingly drawn debut graphic novel, Baddawi is the story of a young boy named Ahmad struggling to find his place in the world.

Baddawi explores the childhood of the author’s father from a determinedly boy’s-eye view as he witnesses the world crumbling around him and attempts to carry on, forging his own path in the midst of terrible uncertainty. Ahmed was raised in the refugee camp of Baddawi in northern Lebanon, one of many thousands of children born to Palestinians who fled (or were expelled from) their homeland during the 1948 war that established the state of Israel. Ahmad’s dogged pursuit of education and opportunity echoes the journey of the Palestinian people, as they make the best of their existing circumstances while remaining determined to one day return to their homeland.

Praise

“At turns heartbreaking and humorous, this coming-of-age story is a must read.”
—Foreword Reviews

“In Baddawi, Leila Abdelrazaq tells a coming-of-age story that is funny, angry, and deeply human. The bold blacks of her drawing remind one of Marjane Satrapi, or the legendary French artist David B. But she transforms the style, infusing it with design elements from Palestinian embroidery. Baddawi is the story of her father’s childhood in a Lebanese refugee camp. It is also the story of hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians.”
—Molly Crabapple, author of Drawing Blood

“Leila Abdelrazaq is a fresh and exciting artist and writer. Baddawi is heartfelt and poignant and is told from an often-underrepresented perspective. It is a vital read for anyone curious about the plight of the Palestinian people.”
—Toufic El Rassi, author of Arab in America

“This book is a substantial accomplishment, a serious story in comic-book form containing magnificent drawing by a young artist of promise.”
—Samia A. Halaby, painter, writer, and author of Liberation Art of Palestine

“Leila Abdelrazaq blends beauty, politics, humor, rich Palestinian traditions, and the humanity of everyday life during historic times into her delicate lines and powerful compositions.”
—Ethan Heitner, cartoonist and illustrator, Freedom Funnies

“Leila Abdelrazaq’s tale of her father, a Palestinian refugee growing up in a Lebanese refugee camp, demonstrates a universal truth. In the midst of a civil war, Ahmad and his pals still manage to have enough often hilarious adventures that despite the chaotic background in their lives of bombings, assassinations and massacres, boys will still and always find a way to be boys.”
—Trina Robbins, author of Lily Renee, Escape Artist

“The story of the Palestinian refugees, forced out in ‘48 to wander the world ever since, is one we need to know. Leila Abdelrazaq tells this tale with love and humor and little rhetoric. Baddawi is simple and touching and well worth your time. A fine first graphic novel from a promising new cartoonist.”
—Seth Tobocman, cofounder of World War 3 Illustrated

About the Author

Leila Abdelrazaq is a Chicago-based, Palestinian American artist and organizer. She was a 2015 graduate of DePaul University where she double majored in Theatre Arts and Arabic Studies. During her time at DePaul, she served in their chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), and on the National SJP Steering Committee. When not drawing comics, studying Arabic, or working for justice for Palestinians, Leila enjoys carpentry, painting, breaking things, and making a mess.

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