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cornmaven's review against another edition
5.0
A graphic novel of the highly acclaimed 1999 prose novel by Anderson, which she wrote to deal with her own rape at 13 years old. It has been awhile since I have read the original Speak, but reading this graphic novel felt true to the original as far as I remember.
Anderson wanted to create a graphic novel version, once that genre hit its stride; graphic novels can serve as a partly non-word way to express the emotions and plot of a story. Readers must make inferences from panels that have no dialogue and can match the character expressions/actions in those that have words.
Melinda’s response to her rape at an unchaperoned party over the summer is to retreat, become almost totally silent, not to tell. She is shunned by classmates because she called 9-1-1 (but then ran) and broke up the party as a result, resists parental efforts to draw her out (and characterizes her mother and father as horrible). Her grades in all subjects but art slide to the basement. Her parents know something is wrong, but she will not tell them. She finds an unused janitor’s closet at school and transforms it into a hidey hole in which to work and try to escape her feelings and her daily reality. Her attacker is a senior still at the school. A Maya Angelou poster covers the mirror, intermittently guiding and guarding her. She makes a feeble attempt at cutting, only to realize how stupid it is, and that it does not take away her pain.
She eventually tries to warn girls with a bathroom graffiti note, and a personal unsigned note to a girl who begins to date her rapist. The bathroom note is corroborated by many other girls responding to it; that is a powerful image in this version. The girl ignores the note and experiences, but is able to fend off the senior at the prom.
Melinda finally finds her voice and her power when her attacker physically assaults and tries to rape her again in the closet. What she was unable to say the first time, she screams loudly the second time. And it is then that she finds her ability to complete her art project in a way that shows her heart.
The grayscale illustrations in this version are done by Eisner award winner Emily Carroll (Through the Woods), and are extremely powerful. The reader can experience Melinda’s emotions as she drags herself through life, in a different way than the prose version. Her art classes and art teacher are her salvation and that thread in the book is important, as art is the vehicle for the expression of emotion.
Speak as a prose novel has been challenged multiple times by many groups and individuals in order to be removed from schools and libraries because of its subject matter. It has prevailed as an important work in the YA fiction world, for teens and others who need to understand sexual assault, or deal with the effects of sexual assault. Its whole message is to gather courage to speak the truth. The graphic novel version contains resources in the back for anyone wishing to pursue the subject further, or anyone needing support.
Anderson wanted to create a graphic novel version, once that genre hit its stride; graphic novels can serve as a partly non-word way to express the emotions and plot of a story. Readers must make inferences from panels that have no dialogue and can match the character expressions/actions in those that have words.
Melinda’s response to her rape at an unchaperoned party over the summer is to retreat, become almost totally silent, not to tell. She is shunned by classmates because she called 9-1-1 (but then ran) and broke up the party as a result, resists parental efforts to draw her out (and characterizes her mother and father as horrible). Her grades in all subjects but art slide to the basement. Her parents know something is wrong, but she will not tell them. She finds an unused janitor’s closet at school and transforms it into a hidey hole in which to work and try to escape her feelings and her daily reality. Her attacker is a senior still at the school. A Maya Angelou poster covers the mirror, intermittently guiding and guarding her. She makes a feeble attempt at cutting, only to realize how stupid it is, and that it does not take away her pain.
She eventually tries to warn girls with a bathroom graffiti note, and a personal unsigned note to a girl who begins to date her rapist. The bathroom note is corroborated by many other girls responding to it; that is a powerful image in this version. The girl ignores the note and experiences, but is able to fend off the senior at the prom.
Melinda finally finds her voice and her power when her attacker physically assaults and tries to rape her again in the closet. What she was unable to say the first time, she screams loudly the second time. And it is then that she finds her ability to complete her art project in a way that shows her heart.
The grayscale illustrations in this version are done by Eisner award winner Emily Carroll (Through the Woods), and are extremely powerful. The reader can experience Melinda’s emotions as she drags herself through life, in a different way than the prose version. Her art classes and art teacher are her salvation and that thread in the book is important, as art is the vehicle for the expression of emotion.
Speak as a prose novel has been challenged multiple times by many groups and individuals in order to be removed from schools and libraries because of its subject matter. It has prevailed as an important work in the YA fiction world, for teens and others who need to understand sexual assault, or deal with the effects of sexual assault. Its whole message is to gather courage to speak the truth. The graphic novel version contains resources in the back for anyone wishing to pursue the subject further, or anyone needing support.
erine's review against another edition
5.0
It’s been a long time since I read Speak, but I remember it being very powerful. When I heard about the graphic novel, I didn’t think too much about it, not really thinking the format would bring anything new to the story. I may have dismissed it out of hand, but then I saw that illustrator was Emily Carroll and I knew I had to at least give it a look.
I’m so glad I picked this up. The graphic novel format is fantastic, and there is something to this story that is so moving whether you read it in words or see it more visually. Both formats are important.
I’m so glad I picked this up. The graphic novel format is fantastic, and there is something to this story that is so moving whether you read it in words or see it more visually. Both formats are important.
colinspk's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm and Sexual assault
itratali's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
mirthes_bookshelf's review against another edition
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
amylingelbach's review against another edition
4.0
What's going on? What has happened to 9th grader, Melinda to suddenly make her grades drop dramatically? Why has she pretty much stopped talking? The other students have ostracized her and no one talks to her. The only place she feels somewhat comfortable is in art class. Even at home, life isn't great. Her parents argue a lot, and Melinda has withdrawn from them as well. What has happened to make Melinda feel so alone and sad? Read SPEAK, the graphic novel to discover the secret she is hiding.
user613's review against another edition
4.0
This is a sad, powerful read. A story of rape and its aftermath. Mature content.
jr2571's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0
Makes me seriously worry about what might or might not be happening in my students’ lives.
refractedtruth's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
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
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This was heavy, and yet vital, reading.
I firmly believe that working to improve our understanding of ourselves and our understanding of others makes for a better world because that understanding introduces us to and allows us to deepen our kindness and compassion. The insight detailed in this story has done just that.
I'm grateful for this experience.
I firmly believe that working to improve our understanding of ourselves and our understanding of others makes for a better world because that understanding introduces us to and allows us to deepen our kindness and compassion. The insight detailed in this story has done just that.
I'm grateful for this experience.