There are so many ways to tell stories. Whether it’s comic books, graphic novels, visual novels, webcomics, etc, there are quite a lot of other mediums to tell a story. On this day, we will be talking about those books and formats that move beyond just words and use other ways to experience a story.
Firstly, words are a form of visual expression. The fact that a million people can read the same book and “see” something different in their mind is a testament to the power of words on the imagination, and indeed, our visual cortex.
Like a film score, even a font, can affect the tenor the book — especially on the cover. Imagine if The Fault In Our Stars used a heavy newspaper headline type instead of chalkboard handwriting. Not the same, is it?
I have limited experience reading graphic novels. Like ABEA another blogger wrote, I have trouble getting into a world that will only last a half an hour. I like to be immersed for days at a time, if possible. I love the art, and enjoy the medium — it’s just too short.
One book that kept me engaged for at least an hour was Sailor Twain. Loosely based on Mark Twain’s persona as a riverboat pilot, the main character finds a mermaid in the Hudson River. It’s imaginative and different. No superheroes or doomsday villains.
The artwork is stylized but effective. It’s all in grey-tones and makes the story seem all the more vintage.
If you are someone who normally goes for traditional novels but is looking to try a graphic cousin, I say give this one a try, especially if you are a fan of historic fiction.