Blankets in Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge

Jan 20, 2018 Nadine in NY Jones rated it liked it

Shelves: graphic-novels-and-comics, memoir-and-autobiographical-essays, non-fiction, non-fiction-graphic-novel, reason-atheism-and-religion

This was compelling, but ultimately kind of uninteresting, unless you're Craig Thompson.

The most moving part was one of the last lines:

[Walking alone in fresh snow] ... how satisfying it is to leave a mark on a blank surface. To make a map of my movement -- no matter how temporary.

The art is excellent.

It's a very personal memoir, not what I was expecting, and I'm left with the concern that Thompson still isn't comfortable with himself, he still struggles to accept joy.

And I really wanted to know ...more

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Jun 18, 2016 CrystalIsReading on StoryGraph rated it really liked it

Shelves: memoir-bio-autobio, graphic-novels-comics

a beautifully sad reflection on a sad, scary childhood, on the beauty of first love, on the complexities of family, on the harsh realities of growing up in fundamentalist religious communities, and on finding identity and purpose in the midst of all of it. I read it in one night, staying up far later than I meant to. It was a fairly fast and certainly compulsive read.
although the particulars of my early life were different (at least one loving and rather permissive parent, less active bullying b a beautifully sad reflection on a sad, scary childhood, on the beauty of first love, on the complexities of family, on the harsh realities of growing up in fundamentalist religious communities, and on finding identity and purpose in the midst of all of it. I read it in one night, staying up far later than I meant to. It was a fairly fast and certainly compulsive read.
although the particulars of my early life were different (at least one loving and rather permissive parent, less active bullying by most of my peers, etc.), I could relate to so much of what Craig has gone through. the religious passion, trying to find purpose for and comfort in the midst of dark and scary times. the confusion when the people around you preaching the loudest were the ones who didn't really seem to live up to their professions of faith. how concepts of wealth and popularity were just as rampant in the Christian world as anywhere else, and just as destructive. I, too, was an awkward and uncomfortable child isolated in a rural area, lonely, frustrated with my siblings, yet having no one else with whom to play--even having to share a bed at some points in my life. I just didn't have the beauty or the heartbreak of a relationship like his with Raina. Friendships, but not young love like that.
I also appreciated that the story didn't shy away from the hard things. From sexual abuse. from the struggles involved with Raina's siblings. We saw the darkest corners as well as the lightest. (the scene where Craig and his brother got into a pee fight made me laugh out loud right beside my sleeping husband. Gross, but hilarious. and believable. Kids do crazy things.)
So in some ways reading this book was awfully uncomfortable for me. It brought back memories. Memories I really try not to retain. Especially the crowded, unpleasant Christian camping experiences, where I experienced some of the worst bullying of my life. But it was also cathartic in a way. Feeling some sort of solidarity with Craig. Knowing that neither of us were actually alone in our struggles, doubts, and fears--just isolated at the time. We both came through the darkness, and found (relative) peace, although we found it in our own ways (I didn't let the fools around me make me lose my faith.). I think this is a great book to share with any teens you know struggling with feeling hopeless and alone. While they may not always relate to the details, they get another real-life reminder that if we hang in there, there really is something different on the other side of our experiences. Adulthood really can be better. So hang in there. ...more

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Apr 15, 2011 Christina, Join Me on Storygraph! rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2011

I chose this book after it was a recommended coming of age story on a blog I read. Aside from its graphic format, this isn't a typical coming of age story. Nonetheless, I enjoyed it-i was captivated by the author's story of first, all encompassing,love, grappling with a very religious family, and having a bratty younger brother.

At times, it was difficult to read. My 3 year old son saw me reading it and kept asking me to read it to him. ...more

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Nov 05, 2007 Krystal rated it it was amazing

this book made me understand the appeal of graphic novels. the drawings were beautiful and seemed to better convey the intimacy of the story than the prose. and at the same time thompson's words were insightful and perfectly matched the tone of the images.

what i learned from this book: pictures do not neccesarily rule out a good story. a plot about a superhero fighting a stereotypical villain, for me, does. sorry jon :) ...more

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Dec 08, 2007 Jessica Haider rated it really liked it

Shelves: angry-wednesday-bookclub, memoir, graphic-novels

chock full of angst! Blankets is a very quick read despite its almost 600 pages. I don't much relate to the life of a teenage boy growing up in a religious Wisconsin household, but it was still an enjoyable read. ...more

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Feb 06, 2008 Danielle rated it liked it

Shelves: 2008, graphicnovels

I rather preferred the sections of the book concerning the brothers, the relationship itself got tiring after awhile although it was a heartbreaking first-relationship portrayal.

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