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armenianapricot's review against another edition
5.0
AMAZING read. One of the top five best graphic novels of all time as far as I’m concerned.
posies23's review against another edition
5.0
Over the years, Kyle Baker has proven himself to be a strong writer and a brilliant artist. In NAT TURNER, he chooses to let his subject tell his own story, and use his formidable art to clarify, illuminate, and provide counterpoint to Turner's words.
This is the story of Nat Turner's slave rebellion, so it's a not a nice story. But it should not be "nice." Baker doesn't shy away from the horrors of slavery or the horrors of the rebellion, and he masterfully uses the graphic novel form to highlight the tragedy, the power, and the emotion of the event, leaving the reader to do the work of interpretation and analysis.
This is a powerful book, and one that deserves to be read, debated, analyzed, and discussed in schools, colleges, and book clubs.
This is the story of Nat Turner's slave rebellion, so it's a not a nice story. But it should not be "nice." Baker doesn't shy away from the horrors of slavery or the horrors of the rebellion, and he masterfully uses the graphic novel form to highlight the tragedy, the power, and the emotion of the event, leaving the reader to do the work of interpretation and analysis.
This is a powerful book, and one that deserves to be read, debated, analyzed, and discussed in schools, colleges, and book clubs.
iris_sel's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
5.0
this graphic novel is a masterpiece! I was really supposed to skim it for my graphic novel class and within twenty minutes I had devoured it from start to finish. I literally could NOT put it down.
the art style is so beautiful and captivating and the emotions were simply jumping out of the page. Baker’s ability to illustrate suffering and pain without a single use of text (especially in the first section of the book), is unparalleled!!
the art style is so beautiful and captivating and the emotions were simply jumping out of the page. Baker’s ability to illustrate suffering and pain without a single use of text (especially in the first section of the book), is unparalleled!!
jawhowells88's review against another edition
2.0
This just didn't do it for me. The illustrations were messy and difficult to look at. I had a hard time distinguishing the characters and I found myself going back many times because I was confused. I probably would have liked this a lot more with a different artist. Points for including a teacher's guide and discussion/writing prompts.
nglofile's review against another edition
4.0
No question this is a feat of art and storytelling, one with impact beyond the cover's close. I can't imagine any reader wouldn't have a complicated experience, which poses a challenge in articulating response.
The depictions of brutality, both of the slave trade and of the rebellion, can be difficult to navigate. Important. Essential. Eye-opening. But repulsive (intentionally so) all the same. That the story is largely wordless, leaning on the images to convey narrative and emotion with enough nuance to fully represent events but also enough visual indicators to propel plot, is rather magnificent. The use of monochromatic shading lends somberness and remove to the striking images as well. Masterfully crafted.
When text is introduced (around the panels, not part of them), it is limited to brief excerpts of Turner's confession. This can be difficult to integrate, as the style of speaking is formal and of its time, which may read as stilted or archaic to modern audiences. However, what struck me most profoundly was the testimony of the rebellion itself. Suddenly his words had chilling clarity, and that deepened the horror even as I felt compelled to empathize with the motivation. That Baker can stir such stomach-churning conflict in his reader is exceptional.
The depictions of brutality, both of the slave trade and of the rebellion, can be difficult to navigate. Important. Essential. Eye-opening. But repulsive (intentionally so) all the same. That the story is largely wordless, leaning on the images to convey narrative and emotion with enough nuance to fully represent events but also enough visual indicators to propel plot, is rather magnificent. The use of monochromatic shading lends somberness and remove to the striking images as well. Masterfully crafted.
When text is introduced (around the panels, not part of them), it is limited to brief excerpts of Turner's confession. This can be difficult to integrate, as the style of speaking is formal and of its time, which may read as stilted or archaic to modern audiences. However, what struck me most profoundly was the testimony of the rebellion itself. Suddenly his words had chilling clarity, and that deepened the horror even as I felt compelled to empathize with the motivation. That Baker can stir such stomach-churning conflict in his reader is exceptional.
indeedithappens's review against another edition
dark
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Blood, Classism, Grief, Murder, Violence, Death, Slavery, Trafficking, Confinement, War, Alcohol, Child death, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Kidnapping, and Racism
sam_dupree_reads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
4.0
If you know next to nothing about Nat Turner like I did when I began this novel, get ready to learn a whole lot.
I had only ever heard of the Nat Turner Rebellion in passing in history class, most teachers probably finding it difficult to speak on. But this graphic novel does a great job of placing things in historical context both before and during the rebellion and while the actions are never portrayed as downright heroics, they are seen as justified. It art is a wonderful addition as you can pack so much emotion into simple line art. I know of quite a few students who would likely enjoy reading this and perhaps it will encourage them to delve deeper into history than we currently do.
I had only ever heard of the Nat Turner Rebellion in passing in history class, most teachers probably finding it difficult to speak on. But this graphic novel does a great job of placing things in historical context both before and during the rebellion and while the actions are never portrayed as downright heroics, they are seen as justified. It art is a wonderful addition as you can pack so much emotion into simple line art. I know of quite a few students who would likely enjoy reading this and perhaps it will encourage them to delve deeper into history than we currently do.
remigves's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0