Nick- I have not read anything else by Chester Brown but I think there is a lot to be said about a comic biography. Of course I am an advocate of illustrations as supplement to any text, but I think my bias goes hand in hand with the common experience that these forms have proven easier for retention of information! I had that revelation with nonfiction when I read the Malcolm X comic biography by Helfer and DuBurke. As far as Louis Riel, the reason this book was interesting is because the guy was a total nut and yet did so much for the rights of the indigenous peoples of Canada! Check him out even if you don't pick up this book- I recommend the "exile and mental illness" section in wikipedia.
If you are interested in current discussion of the comic biography : http://wrightopinion.com/2008/10/23/comics-biographies/
Sabrina--
ReplyDeleteI noticed that I had neglected to wish you a happy birthday, which I regret. So that's what I'm doing now, here, on superrota.blogspot.com
Hope you had a good one, even though I'm unfashionably late at this.
Also, I hope things have been going well for you overall. Take care of yourself.
-PK
that's some serious reading. is it good? have you read anything else by him?
ReplyDeleteNick- I have not read anything else by Chester Brown but I think there is a lot to be said about a comic biography. Of course I am an advocate of illustrations as supplement to any text, but I think my bias goes hand in hand with the common experience that these forms have proven easier for retention of information! I had that revelation with nonfiction when I read the Malcolm X comic biography by Helfer and DuBurke. As far as Louis Riel, the reason this book was interesting is because the guy was a total nut and yet did so much for the rights of the indigenous peoples of Canada! Check him out even if you don't pick up this book- I recommend the "exile and mental illness" section in wikipedia.
ReplyDeleteIf you are interested in current discussion of the comic biography :
http://wrightopinion.com/2008/10/23/comics-biographies/
Thanks for feedback!