From Kickstarter to Published Graphic Novel: Answering the Hard Questions
A young girl’s journey to reclaim the life she left behind during the unforgiving conflict of the Nepali Civil War
“. . . tense and heartfelt . . . shadows gathering over a sunny childhood.”―BookLife Review
“It was a simple life; a peaceful life,” narrator Tara muses in Ram Khatri’s pained, humane graphic novel. “At least that’s what I thought in my childhood innocence.” Justice chronicles, from young Tara’s perspective, the end of that innocence, which comes to her Nepali family farm in the form of war. First, in the early 2000s, her nation is torn between Maoist revolutionaries and government forces, with her father increasingly pressured to take a side. As neighbors turn on each other, and young people are hauled away to fight, Tara’s parents attempt to persevere without involving themselves. But soon soldiers are searching their home as the children hide in the barn, and when the worst happens Tara blames herself.
Justice is the story of a young girl’s journey to reclaim the life she left behind during the unforgiving conflict of the Nepali Civil War. In the story, the girl learns the truth about the life that she left behind.
Sandipan Santra is a digital artist based in India. Having earned his diploma in metallurgical engineering, Sandipan has illustrated some dozen books and comic books, for both children and adults. His work includes the illustrated Nepali version of Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis. His specialties and interests are in character and book cover designs, as well as concept art.
A freelance illustrator and digital artist from Albania, Ingrid Lilamani, from a young age, made absolutely everything into miniature books. After earning her diploma in environmental engineering, she decided to follow her passion for art. She feels like she is on a vacation while working as an illustrator for comics and graphic novels.
Besides being a developmental editor, Blake Hoena is a script doctor extraordinaire. He is the author of dozens of graphic novels and many other books. His published works have been licensed through DC Comics, National Geographic Kids, and Sports Illustrated Kids as well as being favorably reviewed in Booklist, School Library Journal, and Publishers Weekly.
“Justice is an artistic character-driven way to learn about the recent history of the Nepali civil war.”―Tucker Lieberman, Independent Book Review
“The piercing story of a young woman split from her family during Nepal’s civil war.”―BookLife Review
Justice “. . . encourages the reader to focus on the human face of the conflict and the effect of war on civilians.”―Kirkus Review
“. . . a heart-wrenching story of Nepali suffering during the Maoist rebellion that took thousands of lives and rendered thousands homeless or missing. Khatri’s poignant graphic novel brings to life, vividly, the journey of a young woman to reclaim the traumatic landscape of her past.”—Samrat Upadhyay, Author of Arresting God in Kathmandu
“Along with the main character Tara, the story takes you through the unforeseen struggle in Nepal’s history. The powerful presentation of the words and illustrations retell the country’s story during this time period. —Nayan Raj Pandey, Author and Screenwriter
“This is an eye-opening story, illustrated beautifully by two illustrators who both did a great job in highlighting the impact of the war on the ordinary people/the civilians.”—Irina R., excerpted from NetGalley
“A heartwarming story of family connection, recollection, and survival. Ram has revived the memories of the people affected by the Maoist-government war through the displaced to the working farmers.”—Ganesh Paudel, Author & Nepali Translator, Of Mice and Men
“The ‘life-like’ illustrations in this graphic novel provide the vivid story about everyday struggles that the villagers faced during the so-called People’s War.”—Subodh Raj Pyakurel, Human Rights Activist & Chairperson of INSEC, Nepal
“As an avid reader of comics and graphic novels, this unique feature intrigued me because I have never witnessed any other books mimicking this set up.”—Kameron Brook, Reedsy Book Review
“. . . a gripping story . . . shatters the feelings of the readers in the end. Ram brilliantly highlighted the suffering caused by the Civil War for the innocent family.”—Urooj Aslam, Goodreads
“It’s a story of Tara who returns to her abandoned home in her remote village and confronts the trauma and suffering caused by the protracted conflict—known as ‘The People’s War’—that altered the lives of countless families forever.”—The Himalayan Times
“The People’s War is a poignant moment in our history, highlighting the injustices everyday people face during times of war. The story of its victims is one that deserves to be told since so few have received justice for the hardships they’ve had to suffer.”—Blake Hoena, Graphic Novel Writer and Editor
“A gripping tale of one family’s struggle to seek justice during a time of uncertainty.”—Rachel Slaiman, Freelance Editor
“A real depiction of a window of Nepal’s history. A beautiful tale of an ugly war of Nepal.”—Tara Sigdel, Associate Professor at University of California
“An exploration of an exotic land (to Americans, anyway) with all too familiar human challenges. The world keeps getting smaller.”—Paul Levitz, American Graphic Novel Writer, Editor, and Former President of DC Comics
“Justice is based on a teenage girl and her family’s fight for justice during the decade long Maoist-government war in Nepal.”—The Sahitya Post
Release: April, 2023
Author: Ram Khatri
Editor: Blake Hoena
Illustrators: Sandipan Santra | Ingrid Lilamani
Page count: 88
Format: Paperback
ISBN (Print): 978-1-7377552-2-7
ISBN (eBook): 978-1-7377552-3-4
Categories: Graphic Novel, Civil War, Nepali Civil War, Diverse Story, Children’s Books, Historical Fiction
"Justice is an artistic character-driven way to learn about the recent history of the Nepali civil war."
A young girl’s journey to reclaim the life she left behind during the unforgiving conflict of the Nepali Civil War
While content will always be king, unique, diverse, and powerful stories always add value to the book business
This captivating and intriguing cover is an ironic illustration of one of Kafka’s best-known works—The Metamorphosis
The Nepali Civil War (1996-2006) was a significant chapter in the country’s history witnessing a fierce conflict.
I translated Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis out of impatience as the story seemed unique and compelling.
A young girl’s journey to reclaim the life she left behind during the unforgiving conflict of the Nepali Civil War