Graphic Novels

[Bryce, Grand High Poobah]

After having read ten or so graphic novels now, I have to say that I'm enjoying them, over all. However, they don't feel like books to me, in much the same way that I feel that a movie is different than a television show. So my question to you is: are graphic novels "novels"? Why or why not? To me, the story content is there just as much as a novel, but the depth and manner of conveying that story is much different. In many ways, they seem to have more in common with movies than they do with books. Thoughts?

[Molly]

When I read graphic novels, I sometimes find that I miss things, or don't understand the sequence of events, so I have to backtrack a little... I think this is because you often have to interpret images (expressions on characters' faces, movements, etc.), rather than just reading the words, as you would with an ordinary novel. So, I think more complex graphic novels actually require a bit more concentration, since you're using two different parts of your brain (or something like that). Sort of like watching a foreign movie where you have to read the subtitles.

[Bryce, Grand High Poobah]

I'd never thought of that aspect, and it's a good point. I just finished reading The Dark Knight Returns, and at the end of it, they have an afterword that's a written version of the final plot, provided so that you can contrast it with what's actually on the page. When I read it, I was surprised by how much easier it was to understand--and how much I had missed in the actual graphic novel. I suppose I just see all the pictures and stop paying as much attention as I ought.

[Sarah]

I agree that graphic novels are more complex to understand and take more concentration. I think that they are not straight forward like reading text in a book is what I enjoy about them. I think graphic novels they would probably be great for reading groups because people would interpret them differently. And I agree with you Bryce I think I lose myself in the graphics and miss the story sometimes.