andersonh92's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
3.0
I just didn’t like it very much.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual content and Child abuse
A minor scene or two from childhood of molestation, a couple panels of nuditydirtyseagull's review against another edition
dark
emotional
fast-paced
4.75
This is just short of perfect for me, and I really can't say why.
The artistry on display here and the way the story is presented is nothing short of breathtaking, in particular if like me, you have not read many graphic novels in the past. I was struck by how in a B+W novel, the art could still be so evocative and make for a compelling story that transported me right to those cold nights and long days that the author was demonstrating.
The writing is great, the story is pretty succinct, and it hits home on a few key elements for me. It feels like a part one to an autobiography that explains the path this author took to get where he is now, and demonstrate how he learned to fall in love when he could have easily fallen astray.
I can't recommend it enough as someone who loved nearly everything about this book. I could not put it down after picking it up and starting it and wish I could get some of the cells framed with how beautiful they were.
The artistry on display here and the way the story is presented is nothing short of breathtaking, in particular if like me, you have not read many graphic novels in the past. I was struck by how in a B+W novel, the art could still be so evocative and make for a compelling story that transported me right to those cold nights and long days that the author was demonstrating.
The writing is great, the story is pretty succinct, and it hits home on a few key elements for me. It feels like a part one to an autobiography that explains the path this author took to get where he is now, and demonstrate how he learned to fall in love when he could have easily fallen astray.
I can't recommend it enough as someone who loved nearly everything about this book. I could not put it down after picking it up and starting it and wish I could get some of the cells framed with how beautiful they were.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Alcohol, and Sexual assault
sofiasyntaxx's review against another edition
3.0
I really wanted to read this for a long time and now that I’ve finally gotten to, I wonder why I wanted to read it in the first place.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual content, Sexual assault, and Child abuse
libscote's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
4.0
This was really good, and I'm glad I got to read it. It's sad that I read it because people are trying to kick it out of the high school. It's a beautiful story of first love and coming to your own faith. If you're wondering why
Content Warnings
Moderate: Religious bigotry and Sexual content
tree_branch's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Sexual assault, Religious bigotry, Pedophilia, and Bullying
Moderate: Confinement, Grief, Sexual content, and Homophobia
icewing15's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-paced
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Homophobia, Sexual assault, Religious bigotry, Excrement, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
steveatwaywords's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
3.5
This book sits as a quiet reflection on adolescence, sexuality, and religion. The main character--sexually molested early on and bullied ever after--looks to make his way spiritually forward, but runs into doubts through the ignorant or missed beat interactions with those around him: peers, adults, clergy. His meeting with an equally-troubled girl seems like a match . . . .
Throughout the story, the titular blankets find their way as places of shelter, of nostalgia, of companionship. All in all, it's a beautiful little story, unafraid to address desire frankly and openly challenging overly-simple Christian formulations of the world. The characters--even the minor ones surrounding the main story--are nuanced, complex in their own struggles. Interesting, too, where the story chooses not to address or resolve expected events: like life, some trauma, some relationships, some days, some questions, cannot be re-assembled.
Only after finishing this did I realize that Thompson also authored Habibi, a favorite graphic novel, one that taught me how ambitious such storytelling can be. In contrast, Blankets is humble, sincere, comforting (despite its moments of ugliness), and mostly satisfying. I rated it as 3.5 stars mostly because its mature themes and questions step a bit too cautiously around their centers, perhaps in deference to a YA audience.
Throughout the story, the titular blankets find their way as places of shelter, of nostalgia, of companionship. All in all, it's a beautiful little story, unafraid to address desire frankly and openly challenging overly-simple Christian formulations of the world. The characters--even the minor ones surrounding the main story--are nuanced, complex in their own struggles. Interesting, too, where the story chooses not to address or resolve expected events: like life, some trauma, some relationships, some days, some questions, cannot be re-assembled.
Only after finishing this did I realize that Thompson also authored Habibi, a favorite graphic novel, one that taught me how ambitious such storytelling can be. In contrast, Blankets is humble, sincere, comforting (despite its moments of ugliness), and mostly satisfying. I rated it as 3.5 stars mostly because its mature themes and questions step a bit too cautiously around their centers, perhaps in deference to a YA audience.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Sexual assault
Moderate: Violence and Pedophilia
As a graphic novel, there is illustrated nudity. In the cases of exploitative scenes, this nudity is censored or avoided, merely intimated. The discussions are frank, but are largely questions many teens would have, and are approached with genuine sincerity and care, despite the moments of ugliness.batmayne_reads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Religious bigotry, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
rebel_rocketman's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
emily_koopmann's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Pedophilia
Minor: Bullying