A review by gluvsbooks
Speak: The Graphic Novel by Laurie Halse Anderson

challenging dark emotional informative inspiring sad tense medium-paced
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

‘Speak’ is a graphic novel that explores the dark and haunting aftermath of being a survivor. It is so very needed in today’s society, the topics discussed may be on the heavier side but they are important nonetheless—there should be more books like this one especially in GN form to help reach younger audiences. 

It was an emotional read, watching Mel go through the stages of depression, anxiety and PTSD after her sexual assault. From her just wanting to hide and disappear to being able to stand up and speak for herself; from feeling numb, to finally seeing the light was most empowering. 

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Quotes: 

“It takes more to scare me now.” 

“If I try hard enough, maybe I can gobble up my whole head and disappear.”

“I wash my face until there is nothing legit of it. No eyes, no nose… no mouth. A slick nothing.”

“The whole point of not talking about it, of silencing the memory, is to make it go away. It won’t.” 

“I just need to hang on long enough for my new skin to graft.”

“They don’t even know me. They have no clue what’s in my head.” 

“It’s beginning to feel like IT raped my mind, too.” 

“I survived.”

“Frozen stillness melts inside me. Shards of ice drip to the floor and vanish int the puddle of sunlight.” 
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