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Review: Blankets by Craig Thompson

3m — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 15:49:53 +0000

There is a lot going on in Craig Thompson’s autobiographical graphic novel Blankets. With a deeply personal touch, Thompson draws and writes about his childhood and teenage years and their hardships, joys, and discoveries. Writing about his brother, family, church camps, and first love, Thompson lays it all bare. He truly had some difficult things to deal with in his childhood that no child should have to face, and we see him struggle with his faith and family relationships as a result.

While I admire the book’s artwork, story, and the author himself, it is difficult for me to write this review as I disagree with (but am mostly sad about) the book’s conclusion. As I was reading the book, I was hoping for it to end a certain way when in fact it went the 180 degree opposite direction. Of course, this is the author’s life so he has every right to write about and illustrate how he really feels, but… I was still very sad at the end. There’s no denying he has a gift for writing and illustration, though, and I would definitely pick up another one of Thompson’s graphic novels in the future.

The picture below is one of the illustrations dealing with the first night that he and his brother finally get their own rooms. After waiting so long for them after sharing a room for many years, it’s not hard to imagine what happens that first night. I’ll save that for you to read on your own, though! (This book has mature themes and I wouldn’t recommend it for those under 16 or 17.)

592 pp., 2003
Rating:

The Arrival by Shaun Tan

3m — Thu, 29 May 2008 16:37:29 +0000

The Arrival by Shaun Tan

2006, 128 pp.

Rating:

This book has no words, just pictures, and the drawings are really beautiful. However, this is one where I might have wanted there to be captions, but I’m not sure. I loved the drawings, but I thought the way the animals were drawn was a little weird. Another graphic novel I wouldn’t have even looked at had it not been for the graphic novel challenge. Thanks again, Dewey!

The Amateur Marriage

3m — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 15:33:39 +0000

The Amateur Marriage by Anne Tyler outlines the lives and marriage of Michael and Pauline Anton from World War II to the present day. We see their joys and trials in courtship, marriage, children, and death.

It’s hard to review the book without giving spoilers away, but the book basically follows a difficult marriage. Or was it, really? Was it really much different than most marriages? Aren’t even “good” marriages difficult at times? These are the questions the book raises.

This was a very readable book that I finished in a day, and I would have very much liked to discuss it with a group. I’ve read one other book by Anne Tyler, Saint Maybe (which I also liked), and I’ll be seeking out more.

2004, 306 pp.

Rating: 4

O Artful Death by Sarah Stewart Taylor

3m — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 22:56:00 +0000

Review coming soon
Read in September 2006

Rating: 3