Reviews

Speak: il Graphic Novel by Laurie Halse Anderson

orixtap's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad medium-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? It's complicated

4.25

winterglass's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-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

5.0

msspence's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes

4.0

The graphic novel adaptation of Speak really highlights how creating art helped Melinda in her healing process.  The original is excellent also.  

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Rape

youdonemessedupa_aron's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

grayroacegnome's review against another edition

5.0

This is a heartbreaking, dark and deeply moving graphic novel. It deals with some extremely upsetting & challenging experiences, in such a meaningful and careful way, and the artwork is phenomenal. The story is harrowing but a very important one to read - I am grateful to the author for choosing to share this story.

I would normally mark Content Warnings as spoilers for those who want to avoid them, but I think it is importantly to go into this book forewarned due to the disturbing nature of the content throughout. If you want TO AVOID SPOILERS, STOP READING HERE.

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Content Warnings for topics not only talked about but also depicted in images:
- bullying (throughout)
- child neglect
- depression, isolation and PTSD (throughout)
- racism
- rape, sexual assault & sexual harassment of teenagers (multiple instances)
- self-harm

patosbals's review against another edition

challenging emotional sad tense medium-paced

3.0

moncoinlecture's review against another edition

4.0

4,5
Excellente adaptation. Je pense que j'ai préféré au roman.

zaidzu's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful sad tense slow-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? It's complicated

4.75

death_by_cliffhanger's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

libscote's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

This is a...I'm not sure what the right word is for it, but if you asked me to name books that changed the way I look at the world, I would include this one. When I read it, I didn't know you could write about these topics, or that I would feel it so deeply despite not going through the same experiences as Melinda. Earlier this year I was disappointed by the GN version of "A Wrinkle in Time" not living up to the original text for me, but this one does. I love Carroll's illustrations and I think the black and white palette works really well here. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying and Rape

Minor: Suicidal thoughts