High School, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th ; Hard Cover, Graphic Novel ; Not Recommended

Enlightenment

Enlightenment is Sachi Ediriweera’s passion project — a vision of Prince Siddartha’s life as Ediriweera’s heart and mind piece together his lessons in the faith. First, the artwork is phenomenal. The calming watery blue and earthy tan color choices keep the tone calm and grounded, reflecting the subject matter well. Siddartha’s anguish in discovering what is necessary to “search for life’s truths”, and contemplating the necessities of life while struggling with human bodies and minds, is illustrated in facial expressions and other imagery just as powerfully as in the word choices of the author. “Desire and suffering” feed each other, but they are not the focus. Teens who ask powerful questions about the “why” of this life we live will enjoy watching Ediriweera’s vision of Siddartha bloom into the Gautama Buddha. Character development sketches at the very end are a bonus look into Ediriweera’s technical skill as an artist. It is a recommended fictionalization of what might have been back in 500 BC.