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A review by thelonia
Red Rosa: A Graphic Biography of Rosa Luxemburg by Kate Evans
4.0
I come from a family of French socialists, and have had a lifelong interest in strong female figures throughout history, so it seems strange that I'd never heard of Rosa Luxemburg before today, but I can think of no better introduction to learning about her life than Kate Evan's graphic novel Red Rosa.
Told mostly through Rosa's own words combined with Ms. Evan's really very lovely art, Red Rosa recounts the life of Rosa Luxemburg, a Polish-Jewish socialist theorist, and goes through both the personal and political sides of her life and how the two relate to each other. Though some minor events in Rosa's life have been changed for the purpose of simplification (as well as good old dramatic effect), they are small enough to not detract from the overarching narrative as well as the examination of revolutionary socialism and Marxist theory.
These more theoretical aspects of her life, particularly those relating to economic systems that remain in place today, are not only presented in their original historical context (though when they are, they are told very clearly and succinctly so I've actually understood more so than I ever did in class), but also as how it relates to today's socialist and capitalist economic systems.
The art is charming, with a simplicity that allows for a lot of character expression, as well as some really beautiful full page spreads as World War I, doubled with Rosa's eventual imprisonment, is retold in a mostly visual montage of war and pain that is just compositionally exquisite and emotionally charged.
All in all, I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone engaged in social activism, especially as it relates to economic struggles, as well as to anyone who is interested in history and the interesting women we seldom hear about otherwise. I'll definitely be sure to check the artist out in the future.
Told mostly through Rosa's own words combined with Ms. Evan's really very lovely art, Red Rosa recounts the life of Rosa Luxemburg, a Polish-Jewish socialist theorist, and goes through both the personal and political sides of her life and how the two relate to each other. Though some minor events in Rosa's life have been changed for the purpose of simplification (as well as good old dramatic effect), they are small enough to not detract from the overarching narrative as well as the examination of revolutionary socialism and Marxist theory.
These more theoretical aspects of her life, particularly those relating to economic systems that remain in place today, are not only presented in their original historical context (though when they are, they are told very clearly and succinctly so I've actually understood more so than I ever did in class), but also as how it relates to today's socialist and capitalist economic systems.
The art is charming, with a simplicity that allows for a lot of character expression, as well as some really beautiful full page spreads as World War I, doubled with Rosa's eventual imprisonment, is retold in a mostly visual montage of war and pain that is just compositionally exquisite and emotionally charged.
All in all, I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone engaged in social activism, especially as it relates to economic struggles, as well as to anyone who is interested in history and the interesting women we seldom hear about otherwise. I'll definitely be sure to check the artist out in the future.