Review Detail

“Disagreement” by Nani Brunini doesn’t use words, but this lends quite a powerful punch to the story. In the beginning, two people are talking. They have colors above them, seemingly like talk bubbles, but they are in the form of squiggly lines or shaded spaces. Eventually these colors get bigger, showcasing the tone and volume that is being conveyed. More people begin to join in, some more vocal than others. Soon, there is a cacophony of voices sharing their opinions, and no one can make much out of it all. It’s too overwhelming. The colors threaten to overtake the entire two-page spread of the book and the arguing takes on a life of its own.

Darkness descends. Metaphorically, this seems indicative of no one getting along, and the loneliness embedded in the toll that arguments can take on people who disagree so vehemently with each other. The people have to find their way back together, to find a way to be peaceful and understanding, even empathetic, even if they do disagree. While this takes time and attention to the matter, the book shows that it isn’t impossible, if only people give it a chance.