An In-Depth Literary Analysis of the Hurricane Book: "Drowned City: Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans" by Don Brown

Introduction

"Drowned City: Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans" by Don Brown is a graphic novel that tells the story of the devastating Hurricane Katrina in 2005. It provides an immersive portrayal of the impact of hurricanes on people's lives, as well as their struggles during and after the disaster. This article will analyze the book's portrayal of hurricanes and its literary significance in the realm of hurricane literature.

Book Details

• Book Title: Drowned City: Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans
• Author: Don Brown
• Genre: Graphic Novel/Non-fiction
• Publication Year: 2015
• Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
• Additional Interesting Facts: The book won numerous awards, including the Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal, the Kirkus Prize for Young Readers, and the NCTE Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children. It was also a National Book Award finalist.

How "Drowned City: Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans" by Don Brown Portrays Hurricanes

The Role of Hurricanes in the Narrative

As the title suggests, the book focuses on the impact of Hurricane Katrina on the city of New Orleans. The hurricane serves as the central driving force of the narrative, as it follows the events leading up to, during, and in the aftermath of the disaster. The book provides a detailed and factual account of the hurricane as it hit New Orleans, therefore the reader gets to know the specifics and the devastating consequences of the event.

Symbolism of Hurricanes

The author uses Hurricane Katrina as an extended metaphor for the systemic failure that led to the tragedy in New Orleans. The hurricane is portrayed as a force of nature that is mostly out of human control. Meanwhile, the response by authorities was chaotic, insufficient, and worsened by political complexities, race, and class struggles. Therefore, the hurricane has a double meaning, as it symbolizes both the natural disaster and also the human-made flaws that led to the magnification of its effects.

Key Aspects of "Drowned City: Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans" by Don Brown

Storyline and Characters

The narrative is structured chronologically and follows the events leading up to, during, and after Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. The characters are composite representations of real-life individuals, who reveal different aspects of the disaster. They are vividly depicted and they bring the story to life, while at the same time being accurate and informative. Brown does an excellent job of portraying their different experiences of the hurricane to convey the sheer complexity of the disaster.

Literary Techniques and Stylistic Devices

Brown uses various literary techniques and stylistic devices to portray hurricanes in an immersive and engaging way. The graphic novel format is ideal for the portrayal of the events in an impactful way. The use of actual quotes from residents, officials, and news reports helps to create a sense of authenticity. Furthermore, the muted color palette used throughout most of the book captures the somber tone of the events depicted.

Realism and Accuracy

The book is a non-fiction account of Hurricane Katrina. It provides an accurate and comprehensive portrayal of the hurricane's impact on New Orleans, as well as the systemic failure that exacerbated its effects. Brown does an excellent job of conveying the scale and devastation of the event while remaining objective and factual in his presentation.

Comparing "Drowned City: Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans" by Don Brown to Other Hurricane Books

"Isaac's Storm" by Erik Larson

"Isaac's Storm" by Erik Larson is another popular hurricane book that tells the story of the 1900 Galveston Hurricane. While "Drowned City" focuses on the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, "Isaac's Storm" takes a more historical approach. Both books provide an immersive portrayal of hurricanes, but they approach the topic from different angles.

"The Perfect Storm" by Sebastian Junger

"The Perfect Storm" by Sebastian Junger is another popular hurricane book that tells the story of the 1991 Halloween Nor'easter. Like "Drowned City," it uses real-life accounts to create a vivid and realistic portrayal of the disaster. However, "The Perfect Storm" is a work of fiction, whereas "Drowned City" is non-fiction. The two books use similar literary techniques but approach the topic from different perspectives.

Popular Opinion and Reception of "Drowned City: Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans" by Don Brown

"Drowned City: Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans" has been highly praised by both readers and literary critics alike. The book has won numerous awards, including the Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal, and was a finalist for the National Book Award. It has been lauded for its accuracy and its ability to convey the scale and complexity of the disaster.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: Is "Drowned City: Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans" suitable for all ages?

  A: The book is suitable for readers aged 10 and up. However, it deals with themes that may be too intense or complex for younger readers.

• Q: Is "Drowned City: Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans" available in other languages?

  A: Yes, it's available in Spanish under the title "Ciudad anegada: el huracán Katrina y Nueva Orleans."

• Q: What is the length of the book?

  A: The book is 96 pages long.

• Q: What age group is the book targeted towards?

  A: The book is targeted towards readers aged 10 and up, although it can be enjoyed by readers of all ages.

• Q: Does "Drowned City: Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans" focus solely on the hurricane?

  A: The book details events leading up to, during, and after the hurricane. It provides historical context and focuses on the systemic failure that exacerbated its effects.

Conclusion

"Drowned City: Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans" by Don Brown is a powerful and immersive portrayal of the impact of Hurricane Katrina. The book provides a comprehensive and accurate account of the disaster and its aftermath, while also highlighting the systemic failures that contributed to its effects. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the portrayal of hurricanes in literature and serves as a reminder of the importance of understanding the impact of such natural disasters.

If you have read "Drowned City: Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans," feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section. For more information about hurricanes, subscribe to hurricaneinsider.org or follow us on social media.

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