Take a photo of a barcode or cover
krennthief 's review for:
Speak: The Graphic Novel
by Laurie Halse Anderson
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
I remember reading the original as a completely oblivious and ignorant freshman in high school. I didn’t know what rape was. I can tell you right now that so much of this book went over my head back then.
Until I got to the reveal. I was so shocked, so horrified, so appalled by what happened to Melinda. It was one of the first books I’d read that had depicted such a dark, real-world horror that it changed me. This story was effective, and I was deeply affected. Laurie Halse Anderson’s painful, personal story is timeless because it is vitally important—absolutely crucial to understanding trauma and sexual abuse. It’s grounded and real, beautifully told, and gut-wrenchingly intense.
Emily Carroll has quickly become my favorite graphic novel artist. When I saw this circulate through my library, I was so surprised that this existed. It was time to revisit Speak.
This go-around, though I haven’t read the original in over fifteen years, everything is perfect. Minor literary allusions, parallel characters and instances of speaking out against injustice. This is literature, and Emily Carroll’s impeccable typography and evocative imagery pairs flawlessly with Laurie Halse Anderson’s text. Visually stunning, as to be expected, while maintaining the sensitivity with which this story must be told.
Most impressive to me is Melinda’s final tree. I don’t remember if it was described the same way in the original book as Emily Carroll rendered it for this graphic novel, but the visual catharsis and hope that she manages to get across is profoundly moving. It wasn’t difficult to find myself crying at multiple points during the book, but the final tree drawing did a real number on me, but it was everything I could have hoped for.
I can’t believe it’s only the first week of 2024 and I’ve read so many wonderful, emotional graphic novels. This one takes the cake—sorry Hooky volume 3.
Until I got to the reveal. I was so shocked, so horrified, so appalled by what happened to Melinda. It was one of the first books I’d read that had depicted such a dark, real-world horror that it changed me. This story was effective, and I was deeply affected. Laurie Halse Anderson’s painful, personal story is timeless because it is vitally important—absolutely crucial to understanding trauma and sexual abuse. It’s grounded and real, beautifully told, and gut-wrenchingly intense.
Emily Carroll has quickly become my favorite graphic novel artist. When I saw this circulate through my library, I was so surprised that this existed. It was time to revisit Speak.
This go-around, though I haven’t read the original in over fifteen years, everything is perfect. Minor literary allusions, parallel characters and instances of speaking out against injustice. This is literature, and Emily Carroll’s impeccable typography and evocative imagery pairs flawlessly with Laurie Halse Anderson’s text. Visually stunning, as to be expected, while maintaining the sensitivity with which this story must be told.
Most impressive to me is Melinda’s final tree. I don’t remember if it was described the same way in the original book as Emily Carroll rendered it for this graphic novel, but the visual catharsis and hope that she manages to get across is profoundly moving. It wasn’t difficult to find myself crying at multiple points during the book, but the final tree drawing did a real number on me, but it was everything I could have hoped for.
I can’t believe it’s only the first week of 2024 and I’ve read so many wonderful, emotional graphic novels. This one takes the cake—sorry Hooky volume 3.