This Country: Searching for Home in (Very) Rural America

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“With light and airy illustrations, Mahdavian tackles these complex themes with humor and wit.”
—NPR, Books We Love 2023

NPR BEST BOOKS OF 2023 ● NEW YORKER BEST BOOKS WE’VE READ IN 2023● A gorgeously illustrated and written debut graphic memoir about belonging, identity, and making a home in the remote American West, by New Yorker cartoonist Navied Mahdavian.

Before Navied Mahdavian moved with his wife and dog in November of 2016 from San Francisco to an off-the-grid cabin in rural Idaho, he had never fished, gardened, hiked, hunted, or lived in a snowy place. But there, he could own land, realize his dream of being an artist, and start a family. Over the next three years, Mahdavian leaned into the wonders of the natural Idaho landscape and found himself adjusting to and enjoying a slower pace of living. But beyond the boundaries of his six acres, he was confronted with the realities of America’s political shifts and forced to confront the question: Do I belong here?

Mahdavian’s beautifully written and unflinchingly honest graphic memoir charts his growth and struggles as an artist, citizen, and new father. It celebrates his love of place and honors the relationships he makes in rural America, touching on dynamics like culture, environment, and identity in America, and even articulating difficult moments of racism and brutality he found there as a Middle Eastern American. With wit, compassion, and a sense of humor, Mahdavian’s insider perspective offers a unique portrait of one of the most remote and wild areas of the American West.

 
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# of Pages: 288

Book Binding: Paperback

Year of Publication: 2023

Publisher: Princeton Architectural Press

Language: en

ISBN: 9781797223674

Navied Mahdavian is an Iranian-American filmmaker, writer, and comedian. He was born in Tehran, Iran and moved to the United States at the age of six. Growing up, he struggled to find his identity and sense of belonging as an immigrant in a predominantly white, rural town in Northern California. This experience sparked his interest in exploring the complexities of rural America and the people who call it home. Mahdavian has written for publications such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Atlantic. He is also the co-host of the podcast "Fake the Nation" and has produced and directed award-winning documentaries. Through his work, Mahdavian aims to challenge stereotypes and bridge cultural divides.