BOOK REVIEW - Black is for Beginnings (A Graphic Novel)
Mike
© 2009 Flux ISBN: 978-0-7387-1438-7 160 pages
Paperback $9.95 (U.S.) $11.50 ( Canada)
www.fluxnow.com
Here’s a shocking, little-know fact about me: This is the first
graphic novel I’ve ever read. Oh, I read comic books when I younger,
and the occasional “Illustrated Classic” (comics with a redeeming
moral purpose – getting kids to read “literature” like Moby Dick,
Journey to the Center of the Earth, etc.). But since I began
reviewing books I have not tackled a single graphic novel. I’m not
sure why I have avoided them, but I have.
I probably would have passed this book over if it weren’t a part of a
continuing series I have been reading since the initial volume came
out. I’ve always preferred to allow my imagination to supply the
details in stories I read – that’s why I read a book BEFORE seeing the
movie when possible. Still, I decided to give this book a try.
To be honest, I did not enjoy this book as much as the preceding
volumes. The illustrations border on being “anime,” which is not one
of my favorite styles, and the plot seemed a little thin. It did
provide a good bit of the background which has only been hinted at
previously, and that was its purpose. There isn’t really a story to
be told, but that’s okay.
I’m not sure if this is going to be the future of this series. I
personally hope not. I really prefer the written word over the
illustrated style. That, however, is a personal bias and may not
reflect the current thinking of the publishing world. I am sure that
Ms. Stolarz will continue this series for at least a few more volumes,
since the potential is still there for more stories to be told.
Evergreen
> Black is for Beginnings (A Graphic Novel) by Laurie Faria
>Stolarz =A9 2009 Flux ISBN: 978-0-7387-1438-7 160 pages
>Paperback $9.95 (U.S.) $11.50 ( Canada) www.fluxnow.com
>
>
> Here=92s a shocking, little-know fact about me: This is the
> first graphic novel I=92ve ever read. Oh, I read comic books
> when I younger, and the occasional =93Illustrated Classic=94
> (comics with a redeeming moral purpose =96 getting kids to
> read =93literature=94 like Moby Dick, Journey to the Center
> of the Earth, etc.). But since I began reviewing books I have
> not tackled a single graphic novel. I=92m not sure why I have
> avoided them, but I have.
They are just comic books given a new name by people who
want to pretend they aren't reading comic books. There's
nothing novel about self-deceit among the psuedo-progressives
in this culture.
For the semi-literate among us with stunted imaginations.
> I probably would have passed this book over if it weren=92t
> a part of a continuing series I have been reading since the
> initial volume came out.
I thought it was the first 'graphic novel' you'd read.
> I=92ve always preferred to allow
> my imagination to supply the details in stories I read =96
> that=92s why I read a book BEFORE seeing the movie when
> possible. Still, I decided to give this book a try.
>
> To be honest, I did not enjoy this book as much as the
> preceding volumes. The illustrations border on being
> =93anime,=94 which is not one of my favorite styles, and the
> plot seemed a little thin. It did provide a good bit of the
> background which has only been hinted at previously, and that
> was its purpose. There isn=92t really a story to be told, but
> that=92s okay.
>
> I=92m not sure if this is going to be the future of this
> series. I personally hope not. I really prefer the written word
> over the illustrated style. That, however, is a personal bias
> and may not reflect the current thinking of the publishing
> world. I am sure that Ms. Stolarz will continue this series for
> at least a few more volumes, since the potential is still there
> for more stories to be told.
Huh? I have no idea what the book/series is about...
Sid
--
Sidney Lambe
Wiccan Priest and Apprentice Magician
http://tinyurl.com/7vs9zb
usenet4444 (at) gmail (dot) com