jbmorgan86's review against another edition
5.0
Dietrich Bonhoeffer is a complicated figure: a pacifist who plotted to assassinate Hitler and a product of German liberalism who is loved by conservative evangelicals. It’s hard to get his story “right” (cf. Metaxas’ biography). You can understand my hesitation when I saw a young adult graphic novel about Dietrich Bonhoeffer with words “KILL HITLER” in red caps and underlined on the cover. Would this faithful pastor just be secularized as a spy and assassin? Could this format really plumb the depths of this complicated figure? Could this book really do justice to Bonhoeffer’s story?
Surprisingly, this answer is a resounding “yes!” Hendrix does not water down Bonhoeffer’s story for young readers nor does the form limit the complexities of the story (although, it is a bit “wordy” for a graphic novel).
Hendrix’s storytelling and artwork are beautiful. While Hendrix provides all of the necessary historical details, he also uses some imaginative storytelling techniques. He picks up on the fact that Hitler imagined himself as a wolf. Therefore, there is wolf imagery in both the words and illustrations throughout the book. In one section, Hendrix tells of how Bonhoeffer imagined himself as a David fighting a Goliath. Therefore, in a two-page spread, he depicts a tiny Dietrich slinging a stone at a demonic, giant Goliath carrying a shield emblazoned with a swastika. He concludes the novel by retelling Bonhoeffer’s final dream before his execution and depicts it with gorgeous illustrations.
I have only two complaints about the book. First, I’m not totally sure who the intended audience is for this book. It seems a bit too heavy for middle grade or even high school students, though that seems to be who it is marketed to. It is wordy, detailed, and a bit lengthy but often written in a youthful style and with illustrations you’d expect to see in YA graphic novel. Secondly, the book focuses so much on Hitler that it nearly makes him the focus rather than Bonhoeffer.
All that being said, this is a worthy read if you are interested in Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
Surprisingly, this answer is a resounding “yes!” Hendrix does not water down Bonhoeffer’s story for young readers nor does the form limit the complexities of the story (although, it is a bit “wordy” for a graphic novel).
Hendrix’s storytelling and artwork are beautiful. While Hendrix provides all of the necessary historical details, he also uses some imaginative storytelling techniques. He picks up on the fact that Hitler imagined himself as a wolf. Therefore, there is wolf imagery in both the words and illustrations throughout the book. In one section, Hendrix tells of how Bonhoeffer imagined himself as a David fighting a Goliath. Therefore, in a two-page spread, he depicts a tiny Dietrich slinging a stone at a demonic, giant Goliath carrying a shield emblazoned with a swastika. He concludes the novel by retelling Bonhoeffer’s final dream before his execution and depicts it with gorgeous illustrations.
I have only two complaints about the book. First, I’m not totally sure who the intended audience is for this book. It seems a bit too heavy for middle grade or even high school students, though that seems to be who it is marketed to. It is wordy, detailed, and a bit lengthy but often written in a youthful style and with illustrations you’d expect to see in YA graphic novel. Secondly, the book focuses so much on Hitler that it nearly makes him the focus rather than Bonhoeffer.
All that being said, this is a worthy read if you are interested in Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
crystal_reading's review
5.0
I really appreciated this interesting look at the life and beliefs of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. My really old eyes had a difficult time even with the overhead and reading light on though. Sometimes the font was too tiny or too skinny or the colors were unhelpful. The content was great and the layout kept things interesting, but the font made it uncomfortable reading for me. Younger eyes will probably be fine.
hereistheend's review
seemed like the right day to read this. to read of a man who defied everything to save lives, in the face of a careless government. the synagogue was targeted in part bc they assisted refugees, as they had been assisted. so here’s the story of one of these rebels. i think we need these stories. we need to know. we need to be awake.
bc neo-nazis are.
and maybe they are slowly thriving.
we see it? the killings of jews and poc and those outside of the cisgender heternormative binary? the invisibility of natives and the disabled and refugees.
there it is.
it's sitting right there.
need to learn to talk back. it’s not okay. stories are important.
bc neo-nazis are.
and maybe they are slowly thriving.
we see it? the killings of jews and poc and those outside of the cisgender heternormative binary? the invisibility of natives and the disabled and refugees.
there it is.
it's sitting right there.
need to learn to talk back. it’s not okay. stories are important.
heidimrogers's review
5.0
Hendrix is an incredible illustrator, with a gift for writing truth in the most beautiful and powerful ways. This study of Bonhoeffer was a visually-impactful look at how Hitler rose to power and how faithful Germans came to understand faith in action.
bardic_llama's review
hopeful
informative
tense
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism, Genocide, and War
emmaline09's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, War, and Antisemitism
emilybriano's review
5.0
Powerful illustrations coupled with the indomitable story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer will be an arrow to the heart to anyone who reads this. Perfect for anyone who's not familiar with his powerful story.