Author: Ted Naifeh; Edited by James Lucas Jones & Joe Nozemack; Designed by Steven Birch & Ted Naifeh
Publisher: Oni Press
ISBN: 1932664467
Series: Polly and the Pirates, Bk 1 (Issues 1 - 6)
Pages: 176
Obtained: Library copy
Comments:
I seem to be getting into a kick for graphic novels, just like I have been with audiobooks. For this one, I enjoyed the pirate theme. If I'm being entirely honest, I'll admit Polly annoyed me at the beginning. So "proper lady" when she's taken by the pirates. But eventually you begin to see why it meant so much to her. By that point the only thing still bothering me was the way her legs were drawn. It reminded me of the bratty girl in the animated Cats Don't Dance. (When I showed my sister, that was her first response as well... without prompting. And I haven't seen that movie since I was a kid.)
I tend to base much of my judgment on whether I enjoy a book or not on how I relate to or at least understand the characters. I'm finding it interesting how books with written description differ from graphic novels with illustrated description. I'm going to have to pay closer attention to which characters draw me more.
I requested the library purchase the second volume, but we'll see what they decide.
I haven't read a graphic novel since Joe Hill's Locke & Key. I've been on an audio kick too. Just finished the latest Sookie Stackhouse book. Love the narrator! She sounds like I'd envision Sookie to be.
ReplyDeleteNow back to the book. Your statement that you judge whether or not you enjoy a book is based on how you relate to or at least understand the characters. The "relate" part is something I read on another blog yesterday. I must be a freak, because I rarely relate to a character. Understand the character, yes, if it doesn't make sense, I'll lose interest.
This has cause me to think that maybe I'm misunderstanding this whole relating business. What is it you relate to?
Relating to me is in part understanding them, but I also need to feel emotionally connected.
DeleteWhen the character is embarrassed or upset or giddy or despairing... I want to feel that too. I guess you could say I was to empathize with them, but I prefer the word relate. I'm most likely never going to be in their situation. I may react differently if I were. But I can totally understand and "relate" with the feelings they experience through those situations.
And, thinking about it, there is more than just feelings at that. I also want to LIKE the character. Even if I think they're being arrogant and totally annoying me, I want to be able to overlook the flaw because the overall character is someone I can appreciate.
So understand, empathize, like despite flaws... I may be missing something. But the main thing is relating to a character is what allows me to like characters that do abominable things like murder other people. Or characters who lie like crazy (I hate lying, and in general feel very negatively towards people who lie frequently... I like things accurate and that just doesn't gel with lies).
Sorry for the belated, lengthy answer. We're off to Mayo for my mom's surgery (brain surgery! 8-O) and things have been crazy.
Oh, and FYI, I have your book packaged, but didn't get to the PO in time, so I'm afraid it'll have to wait until I get back. =/
Wow! Thank you for the explanation! This makes way more sense now. You're explanation also hits home with an issue I have in writing. I have a tendency to focus on the story, not the characters; and well, the characters lack depth. It's an area I've been working on this year.
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