Rating: 
Summary: Bittersweet childhood comes rushing back (some spoiler-ing)
Review: I just finished reading this book while at work and for the last half hour, I have had tears in my eyes while barely supressing the urge to go outside and sob. It's not really tears of sorrow that I feel like shedding after reading this book, but rather from raw emotions recollected from childhood and late adolescence. From page one, Thompson grabbed my attention with his memories of blanket wars and parental intervention. A gentle smile spread across my face and I often broke into laughter at some hilariously illustrated incident. I'm trying here not to just repeat what everyone else has said about this book, but it's hard not to go off about the fact that he has this method of capturing in a couple of frames what would take pages of narrative in an ordinary novel. I guess what I really appreciated about this book was that he spoke directly to me in my language of a fundamentalist background, coupled with a history of feeling like an outcast. I can relate perfectly to his relationship with Raina, especially when they first meet. My first love happened almost exactly the same way: us both feeling like outcasts, me just kinda standing there against the wall, and then I saw her; all blue eyes and yellow curly hair, and the way she moved towards me (you'll get the picture)......that moment on page 90 is a moment we all feel at some point in our lives. I love how Thompson so delicately sprinkles his philosophy througout the book and how Craig is constantly conflicted about his feelings for Raina. I can SO relate to that. I suppose the best page in the book would have to be page 571...so beautifully illustrated. The feeling of loss and emptiness that Craig feels are so wonderful because it's almost too painful for me to read this book (although I will read it over and over again) because he walks along this razor edge line of love which produces such overwhelming, unfamiliar emotions. I can't remember feeling such emotions since the times in my life that the novel describes. Have I become that emotionally empty? I don't want to sound repetitive, but this book gripped me from page one and never let go until, at the end of the book, I was filled with this unbelieveable heart-wrenching beautiful memory of love. To awaken parts of your soul that you might have forgotten about, maybe you should check out this book.
Rating:
Summary: Richie's Picks: BLANKETS
Review: "Sometimes I lie away awake at night and wonder
Where my life will lead me
Waiting to pass under Sleep's dark and silent gate."
--Jackson Browne
I continue to find the vast majority of graphic novels I read to be without heart. Or perhaps I should say that after reading BLANKETS I understand that the reason I have been a reader unmoved by graphic novels is that they have consistently failed to touch me in the manner that Craig Thompson's 600-page illustrated novel has--page after page after page.
"Sheep: A blanket begins in a faraway place
Where skies are blue and there's lots of space
The nights are cold and we sleep outside
To keep warm and toasty we grow hair on our hide
But when spring comes round the weather is warm
A thick woolly coat loses all of its charm
We're itchy and hot 'till the rancher arrives
To give us each a haircut and brighten up our lives
He grabs a big bag and he gathers the wool
And he stuffs and he crams 'till the bags are full
He throws 'em on the truck 'till it's piled up high
Then he climbs into the driver's seat and says 'Goodbye' That's the story of Bert's blanket
That's the story of Bert's blanket
That's the story of Bert's blanket" --Sesame Street
Perhaps the size of BLANKETS is one of its big pluses. I wouldn't call the typical comic book a novel; nor do I believe that a comic book becomes worthy of the term "novel" simply because it contains mature themes, explicit images and a hardcover binding. While my wife, the English teacher, would describe what I'm saying in terms of significant character development, plot, theme, and all that literature jargon, I would simply say that a successful "real" novel gives me something to really bite into and leaves me with plenty to think about after I'm done turning the pages. With its captivating blend of text and illustrations, BLANKETS is a novel does that to perfection. BLANKETS is the semiautobiographical tale of a boy growing up. The story--which covers (blankets?) nearly two decades--includes Craig's brother, parents, school, art, sexuality, religion and religious leaders, Church Camp, First Love, and that Love's extended family. It also contains several blankets (as in the kind you sleep beneath) as well as blankets of snow and some metaphorical blankets.
The action in the story is nicely counterbalanced with the main character's introspection about his self-evolution, interactions, relationships, and religious beliefs.
"Linus: Where's my blanket?"
But, most significantly, what Craig Thompson does to perfection in BLANKETS is to utilize this illustrated format in order to be able to reveal far more with his combination of words and images than he could possibly have done with words alone. Whether it is the drawings telling part of the story as when, for example, we view the series of illustrations in which Craig's hand nervously, anxiously, plays with the curled telephone cord as he tries to "reconnect" with Raina, or whether it is the capability to often have Craig simultaneously saying one thing while thinking another, or the opportunity for the author to transition to extensive dialogue without having to constantly resort to "He said." or "She said," or even the potential of showing Craig's and his brother's drawings rather than having to describe them, I can now really see and understand the potential of writing a novel in this format. I could easily go on and on about other highlights: the power of being able to see those looks passing between Craig and Raina, the joy of being able to watch the bedtime hijinx between the young Craig and his brother, or being able to read an entire story on the face of Raina's father when his discovery leads to contemplation of what has happened in his own life.
BLANKETS is a book that leaves me with warm, cozy memories; one you absolutely need to see (and crawl inside of) yourself.
Richie
Rating:
Summary: I have one word... Magnificient
Review: This book is just... the real world... it doesn't put you in a fake world with stuff that you know won't happen... it really teaches you how things can be...
i love it... read it in 3 hrs... i just couldnt put it down...
it has some strong issues in there... so make sure you are prepared... but i totally totally recommend it... buy it... its worth every single... penny
Rating: 
Summary: what's all the fuss about?
Review: In all honesty, I think this guy is a good illustrator but should leave the writing to someone with more imagination. Maybe it's that I cannot relate to any of what happens in this book, or maybe that I like my stories more ambitious and my characters more extraordinary, but I just cannot see why everyone is making such a big deal out of this book. It's basically 600 pages of nice simple drawings, and a story that is just the typical 'growing up' story filled with the same old cliches of 'first love' and 'abusive parents'. The simple drawing style, combined with the simple (even nonexistent) plot, make this book like reading air...you breeze through it and then wonder why you spent 30$ on a story you yourself can improve upon in one day. Just the opposite of the modern style of comics, with their overly complex drawings and hard to follow story (Earth X, etc), which makes it a nice change of pace, but definitey not for those of us who enjoy actual PLOTS that are interesting, and not filled with cliches. I realize the book is autobiographical, but all it seems like is trying to make the typical, generic youth of an ordinary guy seem interesting and important, when in reality it is quite boring. Reccomended mostly for the artwork.
Rating:
Summary: Heartwrenchingly beautiful
Review: One of the most poignant books I've read, graphic novel or otherwise. So emotionally honest it is at times painful to read. There is some nudity, strong language, etc., but it all seems necessary for the story. (not gratuitous in the least.) A beautiful love story. I hope he tracks down Raina again. (has to be a true story--I don't think anyone can make up that kind of pain or love..)
Rating:
Summary: painful, heartbreaking and gorgeous tale of growing up.
Review: Think of every moment of heartbreak, alienation, confusion, growth, and hope you experienced between the ages of 7 and 18. Now imagine all those experiences condensed into a riveting, beautifully written and drawn 2 hour read. That's what Craig Thompson's done in this staggering work, compressing those crucial years of adolescent experience into a novel of exquisite detail. He doesn't hit a false, nostalgic or easy note anywhere, depicting his youth with the delicacy and uncertainty most authors forget about. His depiction of a young man dealing with faith and confusion and romance should (and will) alone get him great attention. This is not light, casual reading that I would recommend to anyone; there are very disturbing and deeply sad moments in Blankets that aren't easily forgotten, though they are more than counterbalanced by gorgeous images of freedom and hope and... you get the idea. Truly a must read.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Graphic Novel I've Ever Read!!!
Review: Found this book on Amazon.com, did a search on msn.com to see what a few of the pages looked like and wound up at topshelfcomix.com where I was bowled over by the drawings. I'm only on page 145 right now but the book is so great that I just wanted to let everybody know that it deserves plenty of attention and awards. Buy it, you'll love it!
Rating:
Summary: Perfection
Review: Wow. "Blankets"...I don't know what to say. This book touched me more than i ever thought it would/could. I started and finished this book in a few hours, not able to put it down. I couldn't believe what this book was showing me. So much of this masterpiece mimics my past it is unreal. Being only a few years younger than Mr. Thompson, I couldn't help relate to everthing he put on the page. "Blankets" also made me remember the "Raina" of my life with all too vivid detail. Memories like this always hurt, but are a blessing as well. Craig Thompson delievers something incredible to reader's that should not be denied.
Rating:
Summary: Stellar, amazing, incredible.....
Review: This is, without a doubt, one of the best graphic novels that I have ever read. The way that he deals with themes like first love, loss of faith, first loss, and the events that we hide from our families because it's easier is incredible; his word choice and writing style is just profound. The art perfectly matches the tone of the writing, and the way those two elements match up is magical. Definitely a book that makes you think, and I give it the absolute highest recommendation possible.
Rating:
Summary: a beautiful work of art
Review: Craig Thompson's drawings are infused with emotion. Where other graphic novelists have experimented with changing visual styles based on the characters' emotions, Thompson's world flows and swirls with feeling. From time to time, it feels nearly psychedelic -- and i mean that in the most positive possible way. Senses are blurred as joy becomes visual, or terror more visceral. I couldn't put this book down, as it's a joy to read, and fascinating for the story as well as for the artful way that it is told. Thompson has lead an interesting life.
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