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A review by itstoocliche
Howl by Allen Ginsberg, Eric Drooker
4.0
Do I comment on the art or the poem? Unlike some graphic novels where the two are one, I find a distinct difference between my feelings for each.
Ok, let's start with the poem. This is not my first reading of Howl. I was probably a little too young when I read it for the first time though, if I'm being honest. Rereading it as a (slightly) older individual who now knows the context and the history and the back-story, not only of Ginsberg but of the Beat movement as a whole, I can honestly say that I get more out of it. It's the rallying cry of a lost generation.
Please, for the love of all things sacred, set aside time to read it in one sitting. It's created to be read that way, and I feel that it's all but impossible to truly get the rhythm and the flow of the poem when you stop and start.
As for the artwork... well, let's start with the positives. The artist worked with Ginsberg himself, so there's that. Some of the pages are spot on. But others are just too literal in their interpretation of the text. As the cover advertises, the artwork is taken from the film Howl, based on the famous obscenity trial of the poem. Maybe I'd appreciate it more if I'd seen it in motion. I'll update my comments once I've seen the film.
Overall, 5/5 for the poem, 3.5/5 for the artwork...so 4 stars?
Ok, let's start with the poem. This is not my first reading of Howl. I was probably a little too young when I read it for the first time though, if I'm being honest. Rereading it as a (slightly) older individual who now knows the context and the history and the back-story, not only of Ginsberg but of the Beat movement as a whole, I can honestly say that I get more out of it. It's the rallying cry of a lost generation.
Please, for the love of all things sacred, set aside time to read it in one sitting. It's created to be read that way, and I feel that it's all but impossible to truly get the rhythm and the flow of the poem when you stop and start.
As for the artwork... well, let's start with the positives. The artist worked with Ginsberg himself, so there's that. Some of the pages are spot on. But others are just too literal in their interpretation of the text. As the cover advertises, the artwork is taken from the film Howl, based on the famous obscenity trial of the poem. Maybe I'd appreciate it more if I'd seen it in motion. I'll update my comments once I've seen the film.
Overall, 5/5 for the poem, 3.5/5 for the artwork...so 4 stars?