Graphic Novel Review – Blankets by Craig Thompson (4.5/5 stars)

Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Contemporary Fiction/Graphic Novel
Length: 592 pages
Publisher: Drawn and Quarterly
Release Date: October 13, 2015
ISBN-13: 978-1770462182
Stand Alone or Series: Stand Alone
Source: Bought
Rating: 4.5/5 stars

“Blankets is the story of a young man coming of age and finding the confidence to express his creative voice. Craig Thompson’s poignant graphic memoir plays out against the backdrop of a Midwestern winterscape: finely-hewn linework draws together a portrait of small town life, a rigorously fundamentalist Christian childhood, and a lonely, emotionally mixed-up adolescence.

Under an engulfing blanket of snow, Craig and Raina fall in love at winter church camp, revealing to one another their struggles with faith and their dreams of escape. Over time though, their personal demons resurface and their relationship falls apart. It’s a universal story, and Thompson’s vibrant brushstrokes and unique page designs make the familiar heartbreaking all over again.”

This is the second graphic novel I have read by Thompson. While I didn’t enjoy Blankets as much as Habibi; I thought it was still a very well done graphic novel. The drawing is very well done and the story is very engaging and heartfelt.

This was an autobiography of Thompson from his childhood to his early twenties. He was constantly pulled between an uber-religious mother and his desire to draw. The plot jumps between various points of his life; sometimes from childhood to adulthood and back again; in a way that flows beautifully and makes for a cohesive story. A few times we also get to delve into the backgrounds of other characters.

Much of the story is driven by his relationship with a young woman he meets at Bible camp and the way she influences his life decisions.

The artwork is amazing and I continue to be awed by Thompson’s ability to craft an amazing and powerful story by blending artwork and text together.

Overall another amazing Thompson graphic novel. I would recommend to everyone; but particularly to fans of contemporary fiction and coming of age stories. I can’t wait to see what Thompson does next!!!

This book goes towards the following reading challenges:
– You Read How Many Books? Reading Challenge
– Graphic Novel Reading Challenge