Blankets

by Craig Thompson, 582 p

Artist Craig Thompson uses his artistic talent to create a heartwarming, melancholy memoir of the events that shaped his transformation into adulthood. The narrative is primarily centered around the story of his first love, Raina, and all of the expectations and disappointments that come with first love. Woven throughout the main story are flashbacks to Thompson's childhood, including his close relationship with his brother Phil and his fundamentalist Christian upbringing.

As with most graphic novels, the power of this story lies not so much in the actual text but in Thompson's intriguing drawings that keep you flipping through the pages wanting more. When Thompson starts seeing things for how they really are (as opposed to how everyone has always told him to see them) the transformation is a little sad but ultimately rewarding.

There were definitely some painful reminders of unrequited love and scary church folk from my own past. Like Thompson, my personal experiences with those two things shaped much of who I am today. Don't be daunted by the 582 pages, it goes VERY quickly. Loved it!