missuskisses's review
4.0
Thanks to the author and goodreads for the free reading copy.
Family Bones volumes 1 and 2 are comics based on the lives of Ray and Faye Copeland, the oldest American couple ever sentenced to death (though Faye's death sentence was later converted to life in prison). As revealed in his bio, the author, Shawn Granger, is the great nephew of the Copelands. Mr. Granger used his memories and stories he has heard to create Family Bones.
In this series, teenager and city boy Sean (not Shawn) is sent to live at his uncle Ray and aunt Faye's family farm for the summer. Immediately, Sean becomes subject to his uncle's abuse. Little by little, Sean also begins to notice and unravel the mystery that is his uncle's fraudent and deadly scheme.
Each chapter was drawn by different artists. Some styles I preferred over others, but generally all were pretty good except for chapter 1, which I found to be spacially confusing. Not to worry though, the style straightens out in chapter 2 and carries through the rest of the series. Unfortunately, the series ends at the end of volume 2, right where the police picked up in real life.
I read some blurbs comparing this to the Texas Chainsaw Massacre. I admit I never saw the movie, but I doubt Texas Chainsaw Massacre afforded the victims the same respectful treatment as in Family Bones.
Undoubtedly Mr. Granger's familial relationship to the Copelands adds weight to the phrase "based on a true story," but the books stand on their own. From page 1 we sense the impending doom, not to mention the suspense, despite the fact that we already know the ending.
This is a unique piece of "historical fiction" that is well worth the read.
Family Bones volumes 1 and 2 are comics based on the lives of Ray and Faye Copeland, the oldest American couple ever sentenced to death (though Faye's death sentence was later converted to life in prison). As revealed in his bio, the author, Shawn Granger, is the great nephew of the Copelands. Mr. Granger used his memories and stories he has heard to create Family Bones.
In this series, teenager and city boy Sean (not Shawn) is sent to live at his uncle Ray and aunt Faye's family farm for the summer. Immediately, Sean becomes subject to his uncle's abuse. Little by little, Sean also begins to notice and unravel the mystery that is his uncle's fraudent and deadly scheme.
Each chapter was drawn by different artists. Some styles I preferred over others, but generally all were pretty good except for chapter 1, which I found to be spacially confusing. Not to worry though, the style straightens out in chapter 2 and carries through the rest of the series. Unfortunately, the series ends at the end of volume 2, right where the police picked up in real life.
I read some blurbs comparing this to the Texas Chainsaw Massacre. I admit I never saw the movie, but I doubt Texas Chainsaw Massacre afforded the victims the same respectful treatment as in Family Bones.
Undoubtedly Mr. Granger's familial relationship to the Copelands adds weight to the phrase "based on a true story," but the books stand on their own. From page 1 we sense the impending doom, not to mention the suspense, despite the fact that we already know the ending.
This is a unique piece of "historical fiction" that is well worth the read.
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