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tortoisemonster's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Mental illness, Rape, Self harm, and Sexual assault
jaimeberger's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Speak is a book that everyone should read and no one should have to. It's dark and intense and a beautifully done portrayal of adolescent trauma. You connect with the main character, you want to reach through the pages to encourage her, and ultimately you cry with her. I will definitely be reading the full length version of this as well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Grief, Stalking, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment
travelseatsreads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I'd seen Speak: The Graphic Novel recommended by dublinbookmum and despite not knowing a thing about it, knew immediately it was a graphic novel I needed to read. The book was originally published as a young adult novel in 1999 and adapted to a graphic novel in 2018. I can honestly say the combination of both the words from Laurie Halse Anderson and artwork from Emily Carroll is one of the most beautifully devastating, haunting and powerful I think I will ever read.
There is not too much I want to say about this book as I really want everyone who reads this to pick it up and experience it for themselves. This graphic novel is something very special and really goes to prove that the genre can be so meaningful and worthwhile.
Within these pages both women's talents combine to convey the sheer breathtaking level of damage that sexual violence has across every aspect of a persons life. The pervading noxious nature of the trauma and damage lingers and crawls through every page within the most striking art work. There are so many points within this graphic novel where I had to put it down and just sit with the intense feelings of rage and devastation it brought and for a book to do that really is something spectacular.
While being an absolutely gut-wrenching read, Speak isn't without hope and really shows the continuous ever changing journey a person goes through after experiencing sexual violence. It is a book I truly believe should be put into everyone's hands in the hope of someday broadening the discussions and understanding of sexual violence and it's impact.
I borrowed this from the library and will be ordering a copy to keep on my shelf, it's something I never do with graphic novels but this is simply so much more. I also hope to read the original novel and Laurie Halse Anderson's memoir Shout in the near future.
There is not too much I want to say about this book as I really want everyone who reads this to pick it up and experience it for themselves. This graphic novel is something very special and really goes to prove that the genre can be so meaningful and worthwhile.
Within these pages both women's talents combine to convey the sheer breathtaking level of damage that sexual violence has across every aspect of a persons life. The pervading noxious nature of the trauma and damage lingers and crawls through every page within the most striking art work. There are so many points within this graphic novel where I had to put it down and just sit with the intense feelings of rage and devastation it brought and for a book to do that really is something spectacular.
While being an absolutely gut-wrenching read, Speak isn't without hope and really shows the continuous ever changing journey a person goes through after experiencing sexual violence. It is a book I truly believe should be put into everyone's hands in the hope of someday broadening the discussions and understanding of sexual violence and it's impact.
I borrowed this from the library and will be ordering a copy to keep on my shelf, it's something I never do with graphic novels but this is simply so much more. I also hope to read the original novel and Laurie Halse Anderson's memoir Shout in the near future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Mental illness, Misogyny, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment
kbucheit's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Self harm, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Bullying and Grief
jackelz's review against another edition
dark
“He stole my words from me… but now it’s time to speak.”
Melinda is starting her freshman year of high school friendless, an outcast, because she busted an end-of-summer party by calling the cops. Nobody will talk to her, let alone listen to her. But to me, her silence is deafening.
Throughout the book, Melinda was working on an art project and it was so amazing to see her project come to life through Carroll’s artwork.
It blows my mind that people want to ban this book and it’s original; by doing so they are continuing to silence women and their stories. Everyone needs to read this book.
“Speak up for yourself, we want to know what you have to say.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
anime917's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, and Gaslighting
endemictoearth's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying and Rape
helenfarch's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
If you think graphic novels are just for kids, then read this book.
This is the graphic novel version of the award-winning YA novel of the same name.
Melinda is an outcast at Merryweather High. She is an outcast after she called the cops about an end-of-summer party she was at. But no-one asks why she called the cops and Melinda isn't saying.
In fact, Melinda isn't saying anything at all. As the year goes on she continues to withdraw into herself at school and at home. It is only in Art class that she feels she has a way to express herself.
But, when confronted by the seemingly perfect senior student, the boy who raped her at that party, Melinda finally finds her voice and she shouts her truth for all to hear.
Powerful, emotional, traumatic, this graphic novel has it all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Rape
mimccub's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment
jpellwood's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Rape