By A few years ago, I read a book called ‘Blankets’. As soon as I completed reading it, I knew I could never muster up courage to pick this book up again. It was so full of the pain of growing up.
Courage, however, found me, and this weekend I picked up this book once again to read. As the words ‘graphic novel’ has been mentioned in the title, let me first state that graphic novels are not the same as comics. Graphics novels have a reality of their own. Certain souls cannot contain themselves either through the written word or through their drawings – Craig Thompson, the author of Blankets is one such soul. Essentially, I believe, the concept of graphic novels has come into existence for such noble souls.
What a brilliant job Craig Thompson has done in creating this masterpiece called Blankets! He has not just woven a story but also a little bit of himself into this book.
Coming to the storyline- Blankets is a coming-of-age story, the transformation of a young bullied boy into an aloof teenager and finally into a grown-up man. It tells the story of his childhood and of his first love Raina; not just through words but also pictures.
An aloof young boy called Craig (coincidentally the same name as the author), who is often bullied feels he is not able to stand up for himself or anybody else. He immerses himself in the Church and its activities. However, over time he does not find a sense of community even in Church service. One day at a Church camp he meets Raina and they click immediately.
He later spends a short vacation with Raina and her breaking family. He is completely absorbed in his relationship. After the vacation ends, he returns to his home and tries to keep the fire in his heart alive, but they drift apart. He slowly he becomes aware of the other side of her- the part that he had not learnt to love.
Thus, after graduation, he calls her and says,
“I have called to say goodbye.”
She asks,
“But, where are you going?”
He says,
“I am not going anywhere.”
Only a broken and stitched heart can feel the pain of Craig. The scars always remain to remind.
The book is very beautifully written and drawn – it depicts his inner turmoil through the stories of the Bible. The book ends with him finally able to grow up- from the shackles of childhood, youth and religion.
I, sometimes wonder, how Craig Thompson can live with that pain and longing in his heart and I turn to my own heart and realise …. That Craig Thompson has written and illustrated his story on paper whereas I could not, yet. I find a bit of my heart in those 582 pages. Perhaps that’s what soulful books do – acts as a mirror to your own soul.
