...As a graphic novel? Really?

I just saw THE KITE RUNNER as a graphic novel at the store the other day. Yes, that is Kahled Hosseini's stunning novel, THE KITE RUNNER. As a graphic novel. When I came back to the information desk after seeing it, I asked J., who is a fan of the medium (definitely more so than I), if THE KITE RUNNER should be a graphic novel. It seemed wrong to me, but maybe someone who really likes the genre has a different take on the subject...

"I just saw THE KITE RUNNER graphic novel back there. Should THE KITE RUNNER be a graphic novel?" I asked.

          

"No, I don't think so. Just because the medium is there doesn't mean that a book should be made into a graphic novel. Not all books translate well into graphic novels. Even Neil Gaiman (of whom J. is a huge fan) has had some books made into graphic novels and..." he shook his head. "It just didn't work."

I know that WUTHERING HEIGHTS is a graphic novel, as is PRIDE AND PREJUDICE. And JANE EYRE. And THE CANTERBURY TALES. It seems that many of the classics are being turned into graphic novels.

I do understand the inclination that perhaps in graphic novel form these stories will be more accessible to people who would not otherwise be exposed to or interested in them.

It's not that I don't like graphic novels; I have read some incredible ones. Craig Thompson's BLANKETS is one, as is Marjane Satrapi's PERSEPOLIS, and Alison Bechdel's FUN HOME. These are memoirs for which the graphic novel medium seems to be the perfect vehicle for the authors to tell their stories.

                  

Am I a purist? Is making a book into a graphic novel any different than turning a book into a movie? That is, bringing the story to a new medium, perhaps bringing something new to it?

I don't know, I guess I can't make generalizations about all graphic novels. I just know that my heart just sinks when I hear that some books have been turned into graphic novels. And it makes me want to keep my eye out for the really good ones.

Thanks for stopping by the blog! You can "like" us on facebook, subscribe to the blog itself on this page, and send us email: 2of3Rs(AT)gmail(DOT)com.

Customers 9

A man, gray, crew cut hair, khaki shorts, polo shirt, came up to the registers and seemed to be looking around at all the other registers.

"What are you looking for?", I asked.

"Any of those paper bookmarks. Got any other ones?" The only free ones we had were featuring Lucy Monroe's 50th's book, Close Quarters.




"I don't want one with some guys pecs on it," he said.

I laughed. "Unfortunately, that's the only one we have right now. Sorry."

"That's okay," he said. "I know I'm not the target audience for that one."

"So, not gay, then?" (I wanted to say, but didn't)

********************************

A young guy in his early 20's, came up to the register. His hair was in his face (as is the style these days), he had a knit cap on his head, lots of tattoos, was wearing a t-shirt and carrying a messenger bag. He was purchasing one of the Last Man graphic novels.



I asked him if he was part of our store's member program, which works best if people shop with us fairly regularly.

"Um, no. I don't buy books that often. I'm just getting this one 'cuz I lost a bet."

"A bet?," I asked. "Was the bet related to the graphic novel?" I was curious.

"No. My friend is going to be surprised that I am even following through in getting this for him. He said he was going to call this girl and I bet him 'cuz I didn't think he would. And he did. So I lost." He looked a little sheepish.

"And now he gets the book. Well, good for you. And good that he called the girl, right?"

"Yeah." He smiled.