Tower and Town, October 2021 (view the full edition)A Good ReadI'm going to start today's class by asking What is Reading? We talk about 'reading' signals, body language, paintings and films, so it doesn't have to be about pages of print. Which is just as well, because it's time for Debby's annual "I've overdosed on books" column. I write these pieces a month or so in advance, so there's a time-warp. As you read this, LitFest will have just happened (fingers crossed), but as I write preparations are still in full swing, I'm trying to read as many of the authors as I can, and beginning to feel a bit queasy with over-reading. So I'm going to put myself on a light diet of graphic novels. I've mentioned before that I think graphic novels are underappreciated and misunderstood. They are not just for children, and they're not just picture books. In fact, some graphic novels deal with complex situations and relationships or political issues which make them inappropriate for younger readers - just giving you fair warning. Probably the best-selling GNs in the bookshop are those which are based on existing novels. Think of them as film adaptations, and consider how many books you haven't read, but you have seen on the screen. GNs are a good way to tackle, for example, Proust, in an edition with beautiful ligne claire illustrations (familiar as the style of Tin Tin). Or you could also read Orwell, or Robert Tressell (The Ragged Trousered Philanthropist),or To Kill a Mockingbird. I'm planning to tackle a genre that I don't usually like by reading the GN versions of Cixin Liu's science fiction novels, and I'm also eyeing up the graphic Homo Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari. If I like them I'll try the 'real thing'. There are 'classic' GNs and many well-respected creators - Joe Sacco, Marjane Satrapi, Bryan Talbot, Posy Simmonds, Alison Bechdel, Alan Moore, Raymond Briggs, Shaun Tan. Not all of them will appeal equally. As the illustration is 50% or more of the novel, if you don't like the visual style you're unlikely to want to read the book - just as a writing style can be off-putting. (I am prejudiced against novels written in the continuous present tense.) But, remember, don't judge a book by its cover/pictures. The style may well be intentionally related and relevant to the narrative and character, so don't dismiss it out of hand. It's Autumn, time for the new school term, and maybe new 'reading'? Debby Guest |