MONGREL

Publishing Company:
KNOCKABOUT COMICS
Imprint:
Format:
ONE SHOT
Creator(s):

SAYRA BEGUM (CREATOR)
Number of Pages:

264
Cover price:

GBP 14.99
Publication Date:

2020
Age:
ADULT
Fiction/Non-Fiction
FICTION
Key words:
FAMILY SAGA,
Summary:

Towards the end of 2017 Sayra Begum sent Knockabout a
sample of her autobiographical graphic novel, Mongrel. This
work was the best unsolicited manuscript we have seen for a
very long time. It is rare for a new talent to produce such an
ambitious long work. Sayra is both an accomplished and
clever storyteller and an original artist in her layouts and
drawing style. The story itself covers matters that are at the
heart of our society’s current concerns; immigration, racism,
mixed heritage relationships and inter-generational strife.

The front door of Shuna’s family home acted as a gateway to
Bangladesh. Nothing haram passed through this door, this
was a devout house. When Shuna walked through this door,
she switched her rebellious face to her pious face, which
eagerly absorbed the teaching of the Prophet, striving to be a
good Muslim girl. The switching between these two faces
became increasingly difficult as they grew further and further
apart.
‘Yes, yes, yes I’ll marry you!’ I said to David. Although, after
the celestial shock wore off and dull reality set in, I realised
there was a slight problem. I would have to tell my very
traditional parents that I was going to marry a non-Muslim and
confess my secret life. It’s my wedding day. My parents are
absent. I’m not surprised. Why would my parents want to
celebrate their daughter’s eternal damnation in hell fire?