Justice: A Tale of the Nepali Civil War

by Ram Khatri, Blake Hoena (Editor), Santra & Lilamani (Illustrator)

Overview

This poignant graphic novel brings to life, vividly, the journey of a young woman to reclaim the traumatic landscape of her past.

"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: A Tale of the Nepali Civil War 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. With its sublime settings, diverse characters, and riveting narrative, the girl learns the truth about the life that she left behind.

The graphic novel Justice is the first book of its planned three-book series.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781737755227
Publisher:	Restart Publishing, LLC
Publication date:	04/15/2023
Series:	The Graphic Novel Book #1 , #1
Pages:	88
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.24(d)

About the Author

Translator of Franz Kafka's 'The Metamorphosis' in Nepali, Ram has worked as the managing editor and publishing manager for academic and commercial publishers in the United States. Originally from the Himalayan country of Nepal, he holds an M.S. in publishing from Pace University, New York, and an M.A. in English literature from Tribhuwan University, Kathmandu. Ram is always fascinated by truly diverse, unrepresented, and heartwarming stories that touch lives. When he isn't working, Ram loves interacting with people from different cultures and backgrounds. Social Media: Twitter- @KcChandraram Facebook- @books.ramckhatri

Blake Hoena, besides being a developmental editor, 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.

'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.'Ingrid Lilamani' is a freelance illustrator and digital artist from Albania. From a young age, she 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.

Editorial Reviews

"A touching graphic novel about a simple family caught up in a civil war. . ." ―Kirkus Review

"The storytelling in Justice is tense and heartfelt, the shadows gathering over a sunny childhood." ―BookLife Review by Publishers Weekly

"Justice is 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

"It is an amazing story that brings you into the world of Nepal. I could not put the book down." ―Krystina Rutledge, Writer, and Artist

"The lively part of the novel begins when the main character wants to exist in the space of her home." ―Sushant Thapa, Poet and Literary Critic

"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

"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, Bestselling Author and Screenwriter

"Justice is an artistic character-driven way to learn about the recent history of the Nepali civil war." ―Tucker Lieberman, Independent Book Review

"The 'life-like' illustrations in this graphic novel provide the vivid story about everyday struggles to the villagers during the so-called People's War." ―Subodh Raj Pyakurel, Human Rights Activist & Chairperson of INSEC, Nepal

"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 Of Mice and Me

"Justice tells 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

From the Publisher