When I learned that Debasmita Dasgupta had another graphic novel out, I knew I had to read it. Nadya, which I read several months ago, was a stunning read that effortlessly brought together pithy text and bold illustrations.
Visually, Terminal 3 was just as compelling. The colour palettes were gorgeous, and I love that the author-illustrator takes us through her choices at the end of the book. I feasted my eyes on page after page.
However, Terminal 3 is far more text-heavy than Nadya. While the shifting timelines worked for me, I wanted to know Noor and Yusuf better. I wanted to feel more deeply the relationships we see fleetingly in Khwab’s past. The illustrations worked beautifully, but with so much text, I longed for more exploration of friendship and love.
Having said that, Terminal 3 was still a lovely read. Airports are places of possibility, where time stands still because we have no idea what is happening in the world outside. This made the starting point of the story – Terminal 3 of New Delhi International Airport – perfect. Emotions, dreams, and thoughts come together for Khwab Nazir, who is waiting in this place between worlds, where the past, present and future seem to collide. Against the backdrop of the conflict in Kashmir, she feels nervous and uncertain. As she waits for her flight, she looks back at the last two years that have brought her to this point in her life.
Vivid colours made the characters came alive, and the emotion in each picture was breathtaking. As a graphic novel, Terminal 3 was a visual treat, with each expressive page inviting you to read just a little more.
| Title | Terminal 3 |
| Author | Debasmita Dasgupta |
| Tags | Graphic Novel, Kashmir, Young Adult |
| Rating (out of 5) | 4 |
| Age-group | 14+ |
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