A review by ifoundtheme
The Beats: A Graphic History, by Paul M. Buhle
4.0
Reading this was an interesting experience. I wasn't initially sold on it (I think I described it to a friend as "like reading an illustrated index"), but by the end of the book I was fairly moved. I talked about this book a lot while reading it and after, excited by the ideas, the writing, and the influence of the movement.
I've read several of Kerouac's books and few of the other beat poets mentioned. This was a helpful level of knowledge with which to read this book; I think it would be lost on someone completely unfamiliar with beat writing. It might also be too high-level in history for a true scholar of the movement (though likely valuable as homage). Ultimately, it was great context for the poetry and writing I've read, and I intend to read more (this book calls out several titles which I paused to add to my to-read list).
A few interesting artistic choices: The book is broken into rough halves. The first half gives biographies of Kerouac, Ginsberg, and Burroughs– rough and complicated men who I would never hope to meet (well, Ginsberg would be cool), as they are fairly defined by their character flaws. The second half, all by different artists, gives brief vignettes on specific other Beat poets, social movements, and even in one case a publishing house associated with the Beat movement.
The book comes together well as a whole. From the second part of the book, there are a few pieces that stand out: Kenneth Patchem, Slim Brundage (mostly for the amazingly detailed art), Beatnik Chicks (the best piece in the book), and Tuli Kupferberg.
I initially had trouble understanding the choice to write this book in graphic format (for much of the book it felt like a crutch to keep fairly dry information engaging), but ultimately think it works well to showcase the characters. It would also be very short if kept to just the words! As is, this book is quite readable in a day.
I've read several of Kerouac's books and few of the other beat poets mentioned. This was a helpful level of knowledge with which to read this book; I think it would be lost on someone completely unfamiliar with beat writing. It might also be too high-level in history for a true scholar of the movement (though likely valuable as homage). Ultimately, it was great context for the poetry and writing I've read, and I intend to read more (this book calls out several titles which I paused to add to my to-read list).
A few interesting artistic choices: The book is broken into rough halves. The first half gives biographies of Kerouac, Ginsberg, and Burroughs– rough and complicated men who I would never hope to meet (well, Ginsberg would be cool), as they are fairly defined by their character flaws. The second half, all by different artists, gives brief vignettes on specific other Beat poets, social movements, and even in one case a publishing house associated with the Beat movement.
The book comes together well as a whole. From the second part of the book, there are a few pieces that stand out: Kenneth Patchem, Slim Brundage (mostly for the amazingly detailed art), Beatnik Chicks (the best piece in the book), and Tuli Kupferberg.
I initially had trouble understanding the choice to write this book in graphic format (for much of the book it felt like a crutch to keep fairly dry information engaging), but ultimately think it works well to showcase the characters. It would also be very short if kept to just the words! As is, this book is quite readable in a day.