Habibi

Summary

Habibi is an ambitious, richly illustrated graphic novel that interweaves Middle Eastern folklore, Islamic calligraphy, and modern social critique. The story follows Dodola and Zam, two child slaves who escape captivity and form a deep bond as they grow up together in a desert wasteland. Their relationship, evolving from caretaker and child to equals, anchors a sweeping narrative that spans themes of love, survival, gender, and spirituality. Thompson blends mythological tales with harsh depictions of exploitation, environmental destruction, and cultural oppression, creating a tapestry of stories within stories. The art is ornate, filled with symbolic patterns and motifs that echo Islamic art traditions. Habibi is both a love story and a meditation on humanity’s connection to storytelling, faith, and resilience in the face of suffering.