You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.47 AVERAGE
4.47 AVERAGE
I loved Speak when I first read it almost 20 years ago—I remember laughing out loud one page and being close to tears on the next. Although she says few words in the novel, Melinda’s voice struck me as incredibly authentic as she tells the story of her impossibly difficult freshman year. However, I think I loved the graphic novel version even more than the original. The illustrations are emotional and complement the story’s voice and narrative so well, enhancing the realistic and symbolic struggles in Melinda’s transformative story as she finds the power to speak.
This will forever be my favorite book. To read it in a new way was such a blessing. It was like reading it for the first time again.
Amazing! Beautiful, haunting art. I especially loved the faces. A very effective translation to a graphic novel. Packed a punch. I highly recommend.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I remember reading the original as a completely oblivious and ignorant freshman in high school. I didn’t know what rape was. I can tell you right now that so much of this book went over my head back then.
Until I got to the reveal. I was so shocked, so horrified, so appalled by what happened to Melinda. It was one of the first books I’d read that had depicted such a dark, real-world horror that it changed me. This story was effective, and I was deeply affected. Laurie Halse Anderson’s painful, personal story is timeless because it is vitally important—absolutely crucial to understanding trauma and sexual abuse. It’s grounded and real, beautifully told, and gut-wrenchingly intense.
Emily Carroll has quickly become my favorite graphic novel artist. When I saw this circulate through my library, I was so surprised that this existed. It was time to revisit Speak.
This go-around, though I haven’t read the original in over fifteen years, everything is perfect. Minor literary allusions, parallel characters and instances of speaking out against injustice. This is literature, and Emily Carroll’s impeccable typography and evocative imagery pairs flawlessly with Laurie Halse Anderson’s text. Visually stunning, as to be expected, while maintaining the sensitivity with which this story must be told.
Most impressive to me is Melinda’s final tree. I don’t remember if it was described the same way in the original book as Emily Carroll rendered it for this graphic novel, but the visual catharsis and hope that she manages to get across is profoundly moving. It wasn’t difficult to find myself crying at multiple points during the book, but the final tree drawing did a real number on me, but it was everything I could have hoped for.
I can’t believe it’s only the first week of 2024 and I’ve read so many wonderful, emotional graphic novels. This one takes the cake—sorry Hooky volume 3.
Until I got to the reveal. I was so shocked, so horrified, so appalled by what happened to Melinda. It was one of the first books I’d read that had depicted such a dark, real-world horror that it changed me. This story was effective, and I was deeply affected. Laurie Halse Anderson’s painful, personal story is timeless because it is vitally important—absolutely crucial to understanding trauma and sexual abuse. It’s grounded and real, beautifully told, and gut-wrenchingly intense.
Emily Carroll has quickly become my favorite graphic novel artist. When I saw this circulate through my library, I was so surprised that this existed. It was time to revisit Speak.
This go-around, though I haven’t read the original in over fifteen years, everything is perfect. Minor literary allusions, parallel characters and instances of speaking out against injustice. This is literature, and Emily Carroll’s impeccable typography and evocative imagery pairs flawlessly with Laurie Halse Anderson’s text. Visually stunning, as to be expected, while maintaining the sensitivity with which this story must be told.
Most impressive to me is Melinda’s final tree. I don’t remember if it was described the same way in the original book as Emily Carroll rendered it for this graphic novel, but the visual catharsis and hope that she manages to get across is profoundly moving. It wasn’t difficult to find myself crying at multiple points during the book, but the final tree drawing did a real number on me, but it was everything I could have hoped for.
I can’t believe it’s only the first week of 2024 and I’ve read so many wonderful, emotional graphic novels. This one takes the cake—sorry Hooky volume 3.
reading vlog: https://youtu.be/AXpfik6Q72g
Um, the illustration is ✨STUNNING✨ Emily Carroll does not MISS.
The story, while important, it slow and meandering. It creeps along and gets confusing and contradicts itself at times.
Um, the illustration is ✨STUNNING✨ Emily Carroll does not MISS.
The story, while important, it slow and meandering. It creeps along and gets confusing and contradicts itself at times.
Read the amazing book, now the graphic novel. Enhanced the story with some devestating and chilling illustrations. Please be safe reading this book and recognize triggers
Sometimes you just need to read an adaptation of a movie you like where others see a rapist for what he is, agree on a list, and catch him in the act. I know that's not the crux of the story, but that's the revenge (validation? Closure?) a lot of us never get.
Tge graphic novel makes me feel raw but is still healing, just like the movie. I haven't dared read the original book yet.
Anyway, I read this in one sitting during a heatwave at 2am. I needed it.
Tge graphic novel makes me feel raw but is still healing, just like the movie. I haven't dared read the original book yet.
Anyway, I read this in one sitting during a heatwave at 2am. I needed it.
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Well written, showed affects of the event rather than the event itself.