Rating: 
Summary: I cried, it hit the emotional spot for me
Review: Cheesy and sentimental, still I loved it, it tugged on me in just the right places to remember first love lost. Perfect for that infatuated teenager also.
Rating: 
Summary: Surely this book deserves more than 5 measely stars...
Review: WOW.That is really all there is to say. I just sat down tonight and read all 582 pages in one sitting. This is not to brag mind you -- I am not a fast reader (truly this took most of the night). I am having to force myself not to re-read this book TONIGHT. It is that good. But I must go to work tomorrow and so I need sleep. But I seriously considered calling in sick tomorrow, just to read it again tonight. This is one of the best introspective and thoughtful, well-paced, books I have ever read. Ever. And it is so accessible. If you have ever dealt with issues with your family, spiritual things, or romantic love, then you will definately get something out of this book -- even if it is just the book getting some tears out of you. But it won't be. There is WAY more to this book than just a rollercoaster ride of emotions. What depth. Well, i guess i could go on ranting about this book, but then your reading this would just take up time that you could be using to read this book. No, time that you SHOULD be using to read this book. Sufice it to say that this is easily one of the best books that i have ever read in my life. And in addition, it is one of the most relivent to life in general. This book is, without question, a must-read.
Rating:
Summary: nearly impossible to put down
Review: This is definitely one of the longer graphic novel storylines I've ever read, but worth every second invested in it. The story is bittersweet, and the recollections, emotions and feelings ring so true and feel like such sweet sentiment, it was really hard not to have FEELINGS for the characters at the end of the story. Feelings and emotion are aspects that are rarely PERFECTED in the medium of the Graphic novel, but seems to be at least close to perfection here. Additionally, there's only few comic books or Graphic Novels that I would be quick to rave about, but this one seems to make the list. Since I've had the book, I've read it three times, and the first time I literally couldn't put it down until I finished (which, at 500+ pages, means it's not always the best idea to start this one around 11:00 at night, like I did...) I've also lent this book to three friends already, and all of them have either bought the book (2), or I've had to literally STEAL it back from them because they were also as fond of the story as I. The fact of the matter is that this graphic novel is beyond words. I can't tell ASPECTS of the story without feeling like I'll do it an injustice. I can relate, as just about everyone can to some extent, but I just can't put the words to paper the way I'd like to. I can't even begin to explain how much I liked the story, and my writing ability isn't good enough to give it the credit it deserves... I will say this, this is a story of relationships, growing up, and just life in general. If you think graphic novel means superheros in tights, this isn't for you, but if you think you'd like a story about growing up and the little things that come along with it, don't miss this book, regardless of whether or not it's a graphic novel, because it's just one of the best stories I've read in a long time (and the fact that it's a graphic novel doesn't deter from the story at all, in fact, it definitely makes it better)...
Rating: 
Summary: "Blankets" comes up short
Review: Craig Thompson is a master storyteller and exceptional artist. What's unfortunate is that Craig, like most in his medium, paints (or draws) a sketchy two dimensional portrait of Christianity and Christians themselves.
This book sucked me in completely and I could not put it down. I ran the gamut of emotions. I could relate with the characters and their plights. I too was raised in a Christian home and made the annual trips with my youth group. I too met my first love at church camp, and I too felt like an outsider. I even admired how the main character questioned his faith, as I had during that time in my life. However, as the book progressed it became apparent that this was yet another trashing and thrashing of the Christian faith. What Craig and others forget is that Christianity, like all other faiths, is practiced by people. Sinful, self centered and yes, (even)critical people. If Craig is drawing on past experiences, then I feel sorry for him. The events portrayed are terrible, and the things programmed early on in his life were a teespoon of truth mixed with a lot of opinion. While questioning ones faith is perfectly normal, one should use the oportunity to speak to as many people as possible, read and pray. Not to simply accept the words of one very misguided pastor and Sunday school teacher.
This book concreted my feet in my faith rather than question it which was an intended purpose IMHO.
All of these issues aside, the book was incredibly well written and executed.
Rating:
Summary: My pick for Graphic Novel for 2003
Review: Richard Van Camp's review of "Blankets" Blankets is not only my pick for graphic novel of the year, but it is an instant literary classic for both world literature and the illustrated novel. The Library Journal has just named Blankets as one of the "Best Books of 2003", and this is the first time they've ever picked a graphic novel for this list: "Crystallizing desire, despair, joy, redemption, and other fleeting emotions with voluptuous lines and a barrage of cross-hatching, Thompson has produced a triumph for the genre." -- Library Journal While reading this 582 page epic, I felt joy, anxiety, sickened with humanity, hopelessness, faithless, lost, aroused and praying for everything to be okay for every character in this book. Blankets follows Craig and his little brother, Phil, as children growing up in a small town. I don't want to give the story away as it deserves to be discovered alone, but trust me when I say that anyone who reads this will be moved deeply. There are also so many magical moments in this story-too many to name here and I wouldn't do them justice. Craig Thompson has written the perfect story in both genres with his artwork complimenting his literature and his literature complimenting his art. Reading doesn't get any more magical than this. You can display Blankets proudly on your bookshelf right next to Frank Miller's Elektra Assassin, Salinger's Catcher in the Rye, Dave McKean's Cages, Farel Dalrymple's Pop Gun War, David Gilmour's Lost Between Houses, George Pratt's Enemy Ace, and Maureen Medved's The Tracey Fragments. It's that good! Hands down, this is a sacred work and storytelling at its finest! Richard Van Camp
Author of The Lesser Blessed
and Angel Wing Splash Pattern
www.richardvancamp.org
Rating:
Summary: Take it out!
Review: Wow! Is all I have to say after reading this illustrated novel. Being Christian high school student on the outskirts of society I understand where Craig Thompson is coming from.
The illustration's are simple and wonderful. I loved how he would go to flash back of what he and his brother did, like making the bed a ship in a storm and running in the snow trying to not break through the top.
A quick read of only 582 pages but some how it lasts longer then when you place it on your shelf or return it to the library.
Rating:
Summary: Do Unto Others
Review: This book is excpetionally well done because of the use of the words that correspond to each picture(s) that it narrates. The way the words are written or scrawled makes the pictures that more intense and in depth simply because each picture itself is full of detail. Plus the use of black and white doesn't draw attention away from any one point in the picture that needs to be concentrated on.
Aside from the pictures and whatnot, the story of the book is exceptional because it's based on life, but it's not imbelished nor does it concentrate on awkward life achievements. It's based on life in general and the progression of one through loss and various other experiences that come about in life.
Rating:
Summary: Do Unto Others
Review: This book definitely has all the detailed works of any other successful author. The only difference is that the illustrations are just as meaningful and better than the words themselves. Each word and ultimate sentence has it's own connection to each illustration(s) that it corresponds to. Making each word in the entire novel extremely meaningful.
The overall experience of reading this novel was so profound simply because it unveiled a lot in my own life that was once obscure. It's kind of wondrous how something as obvious as life can be used to make sense of so many complicated things. Which is exactly what this novel does, it takes the life of any other ordinary person like yourself, and it shapes it into a tool, one so powerful that it can define a new meaning to whom you are.
Rating:
Summary: fantastic story and illustrations!
Review: I met Craig at a book signing, just BEFORE I read this book. He spent about 15 minutes drawing an original illustration on the title page and then signed it. His story is captivating and his drawings are great. Plus, he is a REALLY nice guy! Buy his book!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: A piece of Art
Review: The combination of the illustrations and the development of his story are hunting. The reader lives his childhood and coming of age. This book can be read many times to savor all the details of his illustrations.
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