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4.45 AVERAGE
4.45 AVERAGE
I'm not a graphic novel girl ... I read one by accident ([book:They Called Us Enemy|42527866] - borrowed it from KindleUnlimited not realizing the format but went ahead and read it), and then saw To Kill A Mockingbird in graphic novel. That one really brought the book to life, made me look at different parts than when I'd read it on my own. Here ... I listened to Long Way Down in audio format (read by the author, to get all the pacing and emphasis as intended) and after hearing an interview (included in the audio) felt like I had to see the book in print format too. I actually ordered a copy for my home library. While going online to order that and doing my review on that version, I saw this book was available in graphic format.
It was available from the library to borrow - sometimes it's a little hard to find the graphic novel adaptations. I wasn't sure if I wanted to spend $12 sight unseen ... although with graphic novels I think I do prefer a physical copy to a digital version. Having borrowed this (digitally), I might still order the physical copy.
On my first read through - I think I liked the graphic novel the best. The artwork is magical. For such a difficult topic, it's beautiful. I love the watercolor look. It just brought the story to life so much with the illustrations. But of course, being an adaptation ... it has to leave some things out. Going through the book, and the graphic novel page by page, there are some things that I then felt I was missing in the graphic novel, although it's probably not something I would notice if I wasn't comparing them side by side. Still, how the graphic novel illustrations slip somethings in (the anagrams sketched onto Will's bedroom wall, so they are there, even though they don't get a dedicated page like in the book).
... so after the comparison, I'm not sure which format I like best. Not that it even has to be a competition. It's nice to have different options for people who want to experience the story in different ways, if one appeals to them in particular.
I hope my boys take my recommendation and listen to the audio. And then look through the book. And I think I'll need to buy this version to have on hand too. Might have to recommend it for book club. It would be so interesting to have a discussion, show the different formats, dissect each "poem" and page.
It was available from the library to borrow - sometimes it's a little hard to find the graphic novel adaptations. I wasn't sure if I wanted to spend $12 sight unseen ... although with graphic novels I think I do prefer a physical copy to a digital version. Having borrowed this (digitally), I might still order the physical copy.
On my first read through - I think I liked the graphic novel the best. The artwork is magical. For such a difficult topic, it's beautiful. I love the watercolor look. It just brought the story to life so much with the illustrations. But of course, being an adaptation ... it has to leave some things out. Going through the book, and the graphic novel page by page, there are some things that I then felt I was missing in the graphic novel, although it's probably not something I would notice if I wasn't comparing them side by side. Still, how the graphic novel illustrations slip somethings in (the anagrams sketched onto Will's bedroom wall, so they are there, even though they don't get a dedicated page like in the book).
... so after the comparison, I'm not sure which format I like best. Not that it even has to be a competition. It's nice to have different options for people who want to experience the story in different ways, if one appeals to them in particular.
I hope my boys take my recommendation and listen to the audio. And then look through the book. And I think I'll need to buy this version to have on hand too. Might have to recommend it for book club. It would be so interesting to have a discussion, show the different formats, dissect each "poem" and page.
Super powerful. I think it is more powerful than the original. The illustrations are impactful.
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
Yes, I DID read the regular novel and the graphic novel on the same day. And it was a good choice!
Man, what a great version of the text. While the poetry feels a bit less linear and poetic in this version, the imagery and craft echo the meaning of the text So. Well!
This would be a great text to have around to compare with the novel as a class project because there will likely be so many things the kids see in a new light simply because of how it is drawn or how color is used.
Man, what a great version of the text. While the poetry feels a bit less linear and poetic in this version, the imagery and craft echo the meaning of the text So. Well!
This would be a great text to have around to compare with the novel as a class project because there will likely be so many things the kids see in a new light simply because of how it is drawn or how color is used.
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Powerful imagery is found within this graphic novel adaptation. While the original novel in verse uses the shape of words to further emphasize ideas, the graphic novel version uses bold drawings to force you to see what happened and what Will and his community (like many real communities) deal with regularly. I still love the open ending and how the story makes you think about the implications of street "rules".
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Grief
dark
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
stop it. the art style is so raw and rough, the watercolor adds a lot to the confusion and uncertainty that william is facing. both the novel and this graphic novel will always bring me to tears
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Holy shit.
This graphic novel adaptation of [b:Long Way Down|22552026|Long Way Down|Jason Reynolds|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1520008013l/22552026._SY75_.jpg|42009801] was SOOO good.
This story is about teen gun violence. Will's older brother Shawn was shot and he planned to get revenge because it was a RULE in their community. On his way to seek revenge, he meets the ghost of people who passed away due to gun violence...revenge too, an accidental death via drive-by, shooting the wrong person, gangs, and drugs turfs.
The author purposely set this in an elevator ride down to represent how many things we think about before/while making a decision in a within a minute/time of an elevator ride. Jason Reynold's writing is so so so perfect.
The art was also beautiful - I'm a sucker for watercolor and aspire to paint like this.
This graphic novel adaptation of [b:Long Way Down|22552026|Long Way Down|Jason Reynolds|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1520008013l/22552026._SY75_.jpg|42009801] was SOOO good.
This story is about teen gun violence. Will's older brother Shawn was shot and he planned to get revenge because it was a RULE in their community. On his way to seek revenge, he meets the ghost of people who passed away due to gun violence...revenge too, an accidental death via drive-by, shooting the wrong person, gangs, and drugs turfs.
The author purposely set this in an elevator ride down to represent how many things we think about before/while making a decision in a within a minute/time of an elevator ride. Jason Reynold's writing is so so so perfect.
The art was also beautiful - I'm a sucker for watercolor and aspire to paint like this.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Gun violence, Violence, Murder
Moderate: Drug use, Gun violence, Racism, Violence, Grief, Murder