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.talking_heads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Bullying, and Violence
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