March: Book One Initial Thoughts

[Cindy]

This section is for a general discussion about the graphic novel March: Book One by John Lewis.

Possible topics:
1. What was your first impression of the book?
2. What did you like most about this book?
3. What did you like the least about this book?

[Cecelia]

I have read the entire trilogy, so I find it a little hard to differentiate where one book ended and another began. I hope everyone will go on to pick up books 2 and 3.

1. What was your first impression of the book?
I found March to be a fantastic and disturbing trilogy about our country's history. It is beautifully rendered in black and white, and the detail of the art, combined with the gripping narrative, helps anyone to step into the shoes of John Lewis.
2. What did you like most about this book?
Book One eases readers into the horrors about to unfold. Many books of this vein do not take the time to make sure readers know the main character and understand their viewpoint before displaying what happens to a character. This book deftly weaves together the book's "present" and John Lewis's past to show readers why they should care about Lewis, and why they shouldn't put the book down, despite the violence unfolding on the page. It also doesn't try to sanctify John Lewis, or Martin Luther King. This book shows the good, bad, and ugly of the Civil Rights Movement, from the unified and peaceful front that is displayed in history books today, to the infighting that occurred behind closed doors.
3. What did you like the least about this book?
The sheer violence it contains. This is about as accurate a depiction of the cruelties protesters were subjected to as one can find, but gosh, the inkers had a field day.
This violence is still important, so that people can see: violence does not stop a movement, and the worse it gets, the more determined people will be to overturn a violent oppressor; history cannot be allowed to repeat itself; and violently oppressing people is just wrong.

[Lisa]

Great insight, Gracie!