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kohlsamanda 's review for:
Speak: The Graphic Novel
by Laurie Halse Anderson
The rape of a fourteen-year-old girl at a party and her struggles to deal with the fallout are not necessarily things that I want to see drawn out for me in a YA graphic novel (or any graphic novel, for that matter).
Despite my misgivings, this graphic novel was amazing and extraordinarily true to the original work (for the most part, most likely because Laurie Halse Anderson was the author of both pieces). There are a few notable differences, but in general the graphic novel adds a lot of heart and emotion to an already intense story.
The Changes
The main changes involved how people treated Melinda during the graphic novel. She seemed to have a harder time outwardly 'passing' as not depressed and isolated. Simple things like Heather's mom hating her in the graphic novel when she liked her in the original kind of seem to make a big difference to the tone of the book. Also, as another example, in the original when the popular girls tell Heather that it looks like Melinda has a mouth disease, Heather doesn't reply. In the graphic novel, she agrees with them. Minor change, but big difference in the grand scheme of their relationship and how Heather seems to view her.
The 'Improvements'
I hate calling these improvements, because the original work was pretty fantastic. However, there is something to be said when it comes to actually seeing things such as the artwork that really helped push Melinda through this difficult time in her life. Seeing how Melinda sees herself in the mirror, visualizing her cubist drawings and inspirations, and conceptualizing Melinda's thoughts as actual rabbits whispering to her added tons of depth and a new perspective.
All in all, this was an outstanding adaptation of the text that any fan of the original work will enjoy!
Despite my misgivings, this graphic novel was amazing and extraordinarily true to the original work (for the most part, most likely because Laurie Halse Anderson was the author of both pieces). There are a few notable differences, but in general the graphic novel adds a lot of heart and emotion to an already intense story.
The Changes
The main changes involved how people treated Melinda during the graphic novel. She seemed to have a harder time outwardly 'passing' as not depressed and isolated. Simple things like Heather's mom hating her in the graphic novel when she liked her in the original kind of seem to make a big difference to the tone of the book. Also, as another example, in the original when the popular girls tell Heather that it looks like Melinda has a mouth disease, Heather doesn't reply. In the graphic novel, she agrees with them. Minor change, but big difference in the grand scheme of their relationship and how Heather seems to view her.
The 'Improvements'
I hate calling these improvements, because the original work was pretty fantastic. However, there is something to be said when it comes to actually seeing things such as the artwork that really helped push Melinda through this difficult time in her life. Seeing how Melinda sees herself in the mirror, visualizing her cubist drawings and inspirations, and conceptualizing Melinda's thoughts as actual rabbits whispering to her added tons of depth and a new perspective.
All in all, this was an outstanding adaptation of the text that any fan of the original work will enjoy!