Blankets: A Review
August 5, 2004
Click the image to enlarge
Per Josh’s recommendation, I picked up Craig Thompson’s Blankets today at the library and finished it within 2 hours. I never grew up reading comic books as a boy, but this was a wonderful introduction into the world of comics and ‘illustrated novels.’ After finishing it, I checked a couple of reviews on the web, and they’re pretty accurate with how I felt about the book (here and here). Basically, Craig weaves together a beautiful story of his first love. But there are really so many elements that go into this story: family history, alienation from his peers, shame over sexual abuse growing up and for not protecting his younger brother, struggle to grow into his faith while growing up in a fundamentalist Christian home, and all of this amidst trying to navigate the waters of his first love. I hope I’m not making this sound like he just writes depressingly about his past, but his voice is authentic, filled with hope and engaging.
There are some wonderful characters in the book, including Laura (Raina’s mentally-handicapped sister), Craig’s various fundamentalist pastors through his youth and Craig’s brother Phil. I loved the part when both boys were fighting one night (by peeing on each other), the part when Craig and Phil spend time together when they’re both graduated and out of high school, as well as many other scenes. It’s very much a mosaic/collage novel (very postmodern), and I found myself turning back a page often, just to make sure I didn’t accidentally skip a page - only to find out this was a jump the author intended, often strengthening the theme he was exploring. At any rate, go to the library, grab the book and spend a few hours in the illustrated life of Craig Thompson.
Tags: Blankets, Book, Comics, Craig-Thompson, Graphic-Novels
Posted in Books
Adam Walker Cleaveland: 
August 6th, 2004 at 7:21 pm
The library…you got it at the library? You didn’t buy it from Amazon?? Impressive. ;) I’m proud of you. Now I just might have to check it out from my library (which actually has it; amazing).
August 25th, 2004 at 1:10 am
Per your recommendation, I requested a copy of this from my local library. I just finished it in like 2 hours! :)
I agree, it was good. Though disturbing at times… I’ll resist a comment about the ending.
Anyhow, thanks for the great recommendation. I’m in the middle of reading “Blue Like Jazz” as well (which is THINK was another recommendation of yours)Christian Supply had it on sale for $5. Can’t beat that!! I think I’m going to have to go back and read it again… it’s amazing! Not to mention that it’s really fun to read all his references to Portland area attractions that I familiar with. :)
August 25th, 2004 at 2:14 am
very cool, as the kids say. i checked blankets out from the local library this morning and read it this afternoon. found your site doing a search for something related to the book. if you ever find yourself, god forbid, back in spokane during the next year, i’d love to sit over coffee, discuss princeton (i finished an m.div. in st. louis two years ago), and complain about spokane.
take care,
jeremy