Rating: 4/5 Stars
Genre: Graphic Novel
Release Date: 8/6/2003
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About the Book: A memoir about teenage Craig, his first love, faith and art.
Sarah Teenlibrarian Says: Blankets is a book I would give someone who says that graphic novels are easy reads. The text and the pictures work together to tell the story and it's a great book to give someone who might typically shy away from graphic novels, since it's a contemporary memoir. At almost 600 pages, Blankets takes some time to read. Sure, it's a graphic novel, so it reads faster than a 600 page novel, but there are lots of details in the artwork that the reader wants to savor while reading.
Most of the story is about Craig's first love with a girl he meets at a winter church camp, but there are flashbacks to his childhood. Craig is struggling with his art and figuring out what to do after graduation. At camp he meets Raina and the two begin exchanging letters. Craig visits Raina and they spend two weeks together, falling in love, exploring the excitement and nervousness of first love and dealing with the impending end of childhood.
I was easily pulled into the story and read it in one sitting. Thompson's writing style is conversational and the story transports you back to when you were on the cusp of becoming an adult and your first love. I felt the ending was lacking a bit-I wanted a bit more resolution, but since this is a memoir, I'm willing to forgive that. Maybe the author hasn't come to any more resolutions or grand realizations so couldn't write about them.
A fantastic graphic novel!
Teen Appeal: Yes! Craig is around 17-18 for most of the book and the bulk of the story is about dealing with growing up-lots of appeal for older teens who are dreading what the end of high school might mean.
Book Pairings: Pair this one with David Small's Stitches for another graphic memoir
Full Disclosure: Reviewed from copy I checked out from my public library-go libraries!
I really enjoyed this graphic novel too. I think it was my second adult graphic novel that I read and have been recommending ever since because of its complexities in its art, themes, and text. I got a chance to meet the author at ALA in Chicago 2 years ago. A really cool guy! Glad you enjoyed it. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm gonna put this on my tbr list, it looks good. thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteI read Blankets years ago and it still remains my favorite graphic novel of all time. I love all of Craig's work.
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to include more graphic novels in my classroom library, and Blankets has been on my list for some time. I really like your review :) I'm impressed at how well you wrote it; I have a really hard time thinking of how to write reviews for the graphic novels I've read.
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