Blankets

I absolutely loved this graphic novel. Despite the fact that I have a love affair with coming-of-age novels it was really moving in other ways. The main character, Craig was relate-able and he made it easy to care about him. He was so honest and mold-able. There is a raw emotion about youth that really captures me. I like that it didn't only deal with first love.

It dealt with growing up as sort of a wallflower, not really fitting in and constantly being picked on because of it. I was instantly drawn to him and cared about his feelings. It also dealt with a battle with religion and family. His parents were very religious and the type that taught to "Fear God." You see throughout the novel the direct battle he faces everyday with doing the "right" thing and not the wrong. He really lived in fear of hell and altered his desires and thoughts to insure he didn't commit sin. I really loved the relationship he had with his brother as well. He realizes that being forced to share the same bed really defined his childhood. He always had someone there with him, to share his fears and imaginative fun. In the beginning he seems to express disdain towards the idea and wishes he could have his own bed, but as he gets older he really appreciates the times he spent with his brother.

And of course seeing his relationship spark, sizzle, and eventually burn out with Raina made the novel really easy to love. Everyone experiences first love and most people think they will marry their first love. The passion and blind naivety that surrounds first love is really fascinating. It is the purest emotion most people will ever feel and when it ends it is devastating. Of course I was hoping their relationship would last and they would get married and have a white picket fence and 2.1 children, but that is just not how reality works. With the exception of a few percentage of people, first loves rarely last until the altar and I felt like I had to deal with that harsh reality all over again while reading this novel.

I did find it weird that the father walked in on Raina and Craig in a naked embrace and never said anything though. He must have been embarrassed or something because I'm pretty sure my Dad would have shot Craig if it were me. Then again I feel like really religious people tend to turn a blind eye to stuff like that. They're so easy to preach and judge but when it comes down to it I feel they are ashamed and embarrassed when they are confronted with sin. I really want to see what other novels the author has written and if there will possibly be a sequel because I was left wanting to know more.