On the Graphic Novel by Santiago Garcia, translated by Bruce Campbell

[1]

Book Review by:
Sharon Powers.

    In middle school, I loved reading Classics Illustrated. Seeing the pictures along with the words helped me to visualize the story, making it come alive for me. But what does reading Classics Illustrated as a child have to do with Santiago Garcia's beautiful book, "On the Graphic Novel"? The connection is one most children have: the reading of comics.

     And, though I read Classics Illustrated, I never had the same life-like experiences that daydreamer Walter Mitty had. Nonetheless, the Classics Illustrated stories did help me to create a kind of "reality" where the stories could live. 

     When I was ten, my parents sent me to Children's Hospital in San Francisco while the rest of my family stayed home, some three and one-half hours away--too far to drive every day to see me. I had my operation and skin graft (to my foot), and began a slow recovery--the one day visits on the weekend stretched out to one day every two weeks. Aching with loneliness day after day for many weeks, I turned to my Classics Illustrated, to occupy my mind and to keep my spirits up. I gratefully accepted the titles my folks would bring when they visited me.

This particular edition is a hardcover version
of the classic novel, Ivanhoe, by Sir Walter
Scott, adapted to Classics Illustrated. Comics
and graphic novels can be the inspiration to
read--reading this Classics Illustrated title
inspired me to read the full novel, hardcover
edition of Sir Walter Scott's Ivanhoe.
[2]

     I loved many of those Classics Illustrated titles. Some of my favorites: The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas; The Last Days of Pompeii by Edward Bulwer-Lyton; The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells; Swiss Family Robinson by Jonathan Wyss; and The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain. My absolute favorite of them all, though, was Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott. Looking at the book cover, on the right, here, note that the cover indicates the title as being a "Full-Color Graphic Novel Adaptation." Of course, back then, as a kid, I did not know what a "graphic novel" was.

     As an adult, I learned that my assumptions about what a graphic novel was were patently wrong. I sought a clear definition on-line for "graphic novel." I found that I had to glean bits and pieces of the definition from many sources to finally put together (what I thought was) a great definition. If you look back on some of my other posts, you can find that definition (of multiple parts), there.

I really liked the book and all the
information provided. I liked it so
much that I purchased the hard-
cover edition for myself. [ ]

     Let's take a look at Santiago Garcia's book, On the Graphic Novel, translated by Bruce Campbell, to see if we can resolve the question about the definition of graphic novel. To begin, let's examine a short synopsis of the book.

SHORT SYNOPSIS:
     Santiago Garcia is a renowned comics artist. In this publication, Garcia traces the history of comics and the graphic novel back from its infancy and development in nineteenth-century European "sequential art." He takes us through the early beginnings of newspaper strips (in the US) all the way through the early twentieth-century evolution of the "comic book" and to its inevitable upheaval.

     Garcia examines both the "aesthetic" as well as the "metamorphosis" aspects that made for "the rise of the graphic novel."  He lays out the "formal" elements and then takes us through the influences of the "cultural" aspects of comics and the graphic novel. He continues his exploration of this subject and shows the reader the many "formats" of the comic as a "popular medium."

Two pages of the opened-up book; the pages illustrate
a few of the "comics" that have been published in the past,
as well as provide a text with information on the history
of the comic industry as well as that of the graphic novel.

     Garcia states that comics are most often associated with children; even so, comics were condemned as a bad moral influence to children. Comics, at best, were seen as "unedifying" to the reading public. The material found in comics was such that no intelligent, educated, or public personage would want to pick them up to read.

     To show just how far the world of comics has come, Garcia provides illustrations from all over the world: Spain, France, Germany, and even Japan. Garcia uses these examples to clarify how the graphic novel has developed into its increased international profile. He also points to the graphic novel's increasingly sophisticated silhouette and how it evolved into a new type of "graphic narrative production." Moreover, the "graphic novel," is a new way of "empowering" authors. One of the very big things Garcia points out is that this new model challenges the prejudices that attached to "comics," and shows what they have yet to achieve.

CELEBRATE THE FREEDOM TO READ!

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     With all that has come before in the evolution of comics and graphic novels, the comic has been condemned as unfit for children to read because it contains nothing of worth. Indeed, it has been decried as encouraging low life and moral values.

     Since Santiago Garcia speaks extensively throughout his book about the perception of comics and graphic novels, his book ties in perfectly with this week as BANNED BOOKS WEEK, 09-27-15 THROUGH 10-03-15. I want to take part in a great opportunity to help make the point that books in all genres, formats, philosophies, ideologies, etc. should not be banned. In one sense it is quite simple because "no one," as Lisa McMann, author of the Wake Trilogy, has said, "should have the power to decide what other people's kids may or may not read." [4]

     In one form or another all of us have felt the impact of books that have been the target for removal from libraries and school bookshelves across this vast nation. Take part this week and join in spreading the word about Banned Books Week (09/27-10/03/15). Please start by simply taking a moment to enjoy and share this enlightening promo from YouTube about the week ahead.[4]

[6]

     I bring up the issue of banned books because, as author Santiago Garcia points out in his book, On the Graphic Novel, modernly graphic novels have received recognition and are viewed by some as legitimate books, containing legitimate topics and stories. Jason Heller of Entertainment Weekly, tells us that that "attention cuts both ways." He continues to explain that "[w]hile comics are now being taken seriously as literature, they're also being challenged and banned along with literature" by both private and public organizations, citizen groups, and religious communities. [5]

[7]

     In Heller's article of 09-21-14, Heller listed a top group of important graphic novels and comics that have taken hits and have been banned by various organizations. Those top ten are as follows: (1) The Color of Earth by Dong Hwa Kim; (2) Fun Home by Alison Bechdel; (3) Bone by Jeff Smith; (4) Batman: The Killing Joke by Alan Moore and Brian Bolland; (5) Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi; (6) SideScrollers by Matthew Loux; (7) Ice Haven by Daniel Clowes; (8) Stuck Rubber Baby by Howard Cruse; (9) Maus by Art Spiegelman; and (10) Blankets by Craig Thompson. [5]

     The importance of how books, comics, and graphic novels are received by the public speaks to our very right to be able to choose to read whatever we wish to read. It is all about maintaining an essential freedom. Now, to continue on with that in mind, let's get on to what I think about Santiago Garcia's book, On the Graphic Novel.

WHAT I THINK ABOUT SANTIAGO GARCIA'S BOOK, ON THE GRAPHIC NOVEL:

     At first I had assumed that Mr. Garcia would be providing a definitive defini- tion of a "graphic novel." It wasn't long until I was disabused of that notion. In the very first pages of the Preface to the American Edition, Garcia tells the reader that he is "not interested in a regular 'definition' of comics...or...the graphic novel." 

     Wondering what the book was all about confused me; after all, the title of Garcia's work is, "On the Graphic Novel."  Just  a little later I read what Garcia had in- tended for us. Garcia ex- plained that he intended to show us all what the "mean- ing" of comics was to us in the past, what it means to us in the present and what it will mean to us in the future. The second part of all this is that Garcia also intended to show us how the graphic novel is connected to it all.

"The Yellow Kid" (because he wore yellow gar-
ments) at first, had dialogue written on his
clothing--before the thought bubbles
became prominent. [8]

          Delving into the pages of the e-book (an advance reading copy from NetGalley) I began to look at comics and graphic novels in a different light. Bringing the history of the telling of stories graphically from instances like Egyptian pictograms and Trajan's Column up to the earliest "comics" (like The Yellow Kid) provided a sound basis for my understanding to grow.

     I am too young to have lived through the horrors of the "McCarthy Era" in which anyone could be accused of being a communist and be blacklisted or even called before a committee with the sole purpose of ferreting out communists. Anyone could be accused, and once accused, even if innocent, you could not live down the accusation. Many people lost their jobs and could no longer work in their chosen profession

     I, of course, had heard about the terrors of "McCarthyism," and the many awful repercussions. What I didn't know was that something very similar happened in the publishing world to comics and graphic novels. Through a complex series of events including an attempt to blame comics for a rise in juvenile crime and "low living," the "Blame Campaign," and the rise of the "Comics Code" brought the demise of publishers and changed the way the comics industry would be from then on.

[9] While looking for this graphic to place
here, in this post, I found David Hajdu's
book is still for sale. See the link, below.

      Garcia proposed a number of reasons for the dramatic change in the industry. The first, already mentioned above, was the comic industry's attempt to force "self-censorship" on publishers of comics. Another reason seemed to be that with the market saturated, and the rise of television as a competitor, the market was sorely injured. Perhaps the killing blow came when comics primary national distributor, American News Company, had to face an anti-monopoly suit by the Department of Justice. Garcia tells us that in David Hajdu's book, The Ten-Cent Plague: The Great Comic-Book Scare and How It Changed America, Hajdu lists fifteen pages of writers and artists (over 450 names) who were never able to work in the industry again.

     Another huge effect of the "purge" was comics would not be able to "toy with themes" for adult readers any more. Very few comics survived, for example Mad comics reorganized and became a magazine, Mad Magazine. Illustrated Classics survived because of their continuing insistence that their adaptations of classics were not comic books.

This "Graphic Novel" collects under one

cover the following: X-Men: Messiah Com-

plex One-Shot; Uncanny X-Men (1963)

#492-494; New X-Men (2004) #44-46; X-

Men (2004) #205-207; and X-Factor (2005)

#25-27. One point Garcia makes in his

book is this: Does gathering comics from 

different years, different comic series, and

story lines under one cover really make

this a graphic novel? [10]

     Another repercussion was not only the loss of adult themes (eg. crime or detective stories, horror comics and murder mysteries), but also the resurgence of the old "superheroes" making a comeback--this time with humans as superheroes (Fantastic Four, Spider-Man, etc.). D.C and Marvel flourished; and many old comic books were packaged together under one cover and called a "graphic novel," just to grab the coat tails of true graphic novels to both improve their status and to make more money. It was also during this time that the comix underground began growing.

     What I have described, here, is nothing more than a very abbreviated, nutshell version of a very small section of Garcia's work. He demonstrates how the evolution of comics shaped and perhaps even readied the way for graphic novels. Just reading Garcia's book helped me to appreciate how the history of drawing stories has influenced the modern comic and graphic novel and to keep an eye open as to where influences may take the graphic novel in the future.

     I not only loved reading this book in which I was able to explore more about topics like "underground comix", a subject of which I knew very little.  Also, reading this book has made a great change in the way I think about not only comics, and graphic novels, it has changed the way I see influences in society--everywhere. Repercussions. Impacts. Stimuli. I no longer think, for example, that businesses fail just because of their poor fiscal management, alone.

[11] Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi,
is one of my graphic novels that I
keep at arms reach right by my
desk. This book is a wonderful ex-
ample of an adult graphic novel.

     In spite of the seeming negativity, above, of which I have written, actually Santiago Garcia's book, On the Graphic Novel, is hopeful and uplifting. I look at this book as something like a person working to improve their physical condition through training, struggling everyday, wanting to give up, but nonetheless, continuing to push forward through the pain and doubt. And in the end, he or she finds success and a healthier life.

     So, yes, Garcia honestly and realistically portrays the struggles and triumphs of graphic art communication. It is just so, the graphic novel, growing in "strength," and developing an adult audience looking for mature material, with adult themes. As Garcia pronounces, this growing community of adult graphic art readers will not be satisfied with antiquated themes and stereotypes from their childhood, or those perhaps which have been relegated to "low culture," and will search out more creative topics and sophisticated adult themes. Garcia believes that because of all that has come before and shaped and formed the current aesthetic in graphic communications, on a global level, that we should "behold" that something very "good" has happened in serious comics studies.

The Color of Earth by Kim Dong Hwa is a
wonderful example of a book banned for a
sexual theme. The book is about a "truly
intimate but respectful journey...of a young
girl and her widowed mother." The focus of
the story is on the young girl's sexual
awakening. [12]

     Since I read and review graphic novels from time to time, I found my knowledge vastly improved by reading Santiago Garcia's book. I am more interested than ever in reviewing some of the really good titles, perhaps like, Maus by the wonderful Art Spiegelman, Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi, or one of the other books listed in the banned book section, above.

     Topics about genocide, war, sexual abuse, and repression are just a few topics adults might be looking forward to reading. So, it is important that we sound out on the issue of banning books (in all forms), and make our voices heard that we do not accept the banning of books. One thing you can do is to choose a banned book and read it--and then pass it on to a friend. This year the focus is on young adult literature, so choose a good title from the banned books list and expand your knowledge of our young adults.

FINAL WORDS AND RATING:
     I found the incredible knowledge and background material given to the reader absolutely dumbfounding. Garcia presents his concepts in a clear and very understanding manner, and yet is able to steer through a mountain of information to get the reader to the destination. I am very impressed with Santiago Garcia's articulate presentation of material. And, as I mentioned, above, the information that I take away from this book will, undoubtedly, aid me in my analysis and review of future graphic novels (and those that say they are graphic novels, but are not). I am genuinely excited to dive into a graphic novel and start writing.

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     Given all the information I have given, above, I am very pleased to award On the Graphic Novel by Santiago Garcia a rating of 4.0 stars out of 5. This book deservedly has achieved this very good rating.

    Thank you for joining me today as we got to look at this exciting and wonderful book covering the world of comics, graphic novels, the history of these art/literature forms, and the influences that happened to form the current events in these industries. Please join me next time as we take up a new book and learn more from the world of reading. Also, Thank you for taking your time to read and consider my viewpoints in this blog post. I have truly enjoyed being with you, here, today. I look forward to the next time we meet.

Until next time . . .

This flower is a white Rose of Sharon with a red center. [**]

. . . many happy pages of reading.

Best wishes,

Sharon.












_________________________________________________________
REFERENCES/SOURCES
[1] "On the Graphic Novel." [Santiago Garcia] smile.amazon.com. Retrieved 06-09-15.
[2] "Ivanhoe." [Sir Walter Scott] amazon.com. Retrieved 07-07-15.
[3] "Fahrenheit 451 Book Covers." [Sarah Surachi] behance.net. Retrieved 09-22-15.
[4] "Celebrate The Freedom To Read." Simon and Schuster Books. youtube.com. Retrieved 09-22-15.
[5] "Cover Up: 10 Essential Banned and Challenged Graphic Novels." ew.com. Retrieved 09-25-15.
[6] "Jeff Smith's 'Bone," 10 Years On: 'Out From Boneville' Tribute Edition." geekdad.com. Retrieved 09-25-15.
[7] "The Complete Maus, The Twenty Fifth Anniversary Edition." [art spiegelman] tower.com. Retrieved 09-25-15.
[8] "Know Thy History: The Yellow Kid." [el santo] webcomicoverlook.com. Retrieved 09-27-15.
[9] "The Ten-Cent Plague: The Great Comic Book Scare and How it Changed America." [david hadju] amazon.com. Retrieved 09-97-15.
[10] "X-Men: Messiah Complex Kindle Edition." amazon.com. Retrieved 09-28-15.
[11] While this photograph is my own, I want to provide you with the link for this book: "The Complete Persepolis." [paperback/black and white] amazon.com. Retrieved 09-28-15.
[12] "The Color of Earth (Volume 1)." [kim dong hwa] [mcmillan publishers] us.macmillan.com. Retrieved 09-28-15.
[13] "Four out of Five Stars!" purpleinkwriters.wordpress.com. Retrieved 09-28-15.
[*] "Netgalley." netgalley.com. Retrieved 06-08-15.
[**] "White Rose of Sharon Gifts." zazzle.com. Retrieved 06-08-15.

SHARON'S LOVE OF BOOKS Celebrates its 2nd year Blogiversary! ...AND...A SALUTE TO ALL AMERICAN WORKERS, THIS WEEKEND!

[1]

     I am so happy to be here, today, to celebrate my 2nd year of blogging--Sharon's Love of Books. I can hardly tell you what it means to me to be here, today, writing this blog. I almost gave up a number of times this year. So, you see, I really am grateful to have made it through this very tough year. 

[2]

     The actual day I started the blog was August 19th, 2013. I couldn't, however, write today's post for the 19th, because I just got out of the hospital. Ugh. Pneumonia isn't a good thing to have, believe me. I was admitted to the hospital because I could hardly breathe; my X-rays showed that I had pneumonia in both lungs. IVs were attached and numerous blood draws, and various tests were taken, and, last but not least, I was given oxygen treatments and then put on oxygen via canula. I'll add my vote to everyone else's: I don't like hospital food or port-a-potties.

     One last thing before we move on...I had a pneumonia shot, but it didn't protect me against this bout of pneumonia. Having a preventative shot (like the pneumonia shot) may not always protect you, so protect yourself by washing your hands frequently, and if anyone around you is sick, stay away. I didn't do that, and I got pneumonia from a loved one. Now you know how I have ended the blog year (Aug. to Aug.)-(I still have some coughing and am still weak), let's take a look at the rest of the year.

     Everyone asks me about my top ten favorite books. This is a flexible list, with some books that never leave the list and a few others may come then go. Here's how it looked in 2013.

     The major changes from 2013 to 2014 were the addition of sequels of a series and two books I read in 2014 that were new to me. It is an agonizing decision to consider removing one of my beloved titles from the top ten list. They fall into another very rare category of read books, my favorite top 20. Let's now take a look at my newly revised 2015 "My Top Ten Favorite Books--That I Have Read, So Far."

The titles in BOLD are the changed titles from
the original 2013 Top Ten list.

       As you can see in my new list for 2015, just below, this year did not bring any remarkable changes. I combined multiple titles of Orson S. Card under one place slot. If you look at number 6, you will see the big change (in bold); The Lightbringer Series: The Black Prism; The Blinding Knife; and The Broken Eye by Brent Weeks has been added to the list. The final change is that The Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss has moved up and Ben Hur by Lew Wallace has dropped one slot.  Everything else is the same. 

     I found the new books that I have read this year to be mixed, of course, with some poor and some very good. As far as truly outstanding titles go, I didn't really find anything I would add to my Top Ten List, and obviously, Brent Week's books had already been published; in fact, the third title, The Broken Eye, was released August 26, 2014. It was just one week too late to get onto my Top Ten 2014 list; hence, its inclusion in this year's list may not be that surprising.

     Speaking of My Top Ten Favorite Books of All Time, I also have for you the ALL TIME FAVORITE POSTS! from the beginning of my blog--two years. If you were to consider the books on the right side of the screen, in the Top Ten Fav- orite Books of the Week, you might find many of these books on the ALL TIME FAVORITE POSTS list, as well.

     As I said, I have given you the top ten books that have, over the course of two years, consistently got- ten the posts about them read and reread. Just below, here, I have included the information about those books with a small thumbnail, Title, and Author.

     Of the ten books, I was very pleased that Brent Weeks' books from The Lightbringer Series made it to the top ten, and also  that Brandon Sanderson's Stormlight Archive, Words of Radiance made it on the list, as well.

     For me, I am somewhat perplexed at, Endless Love, by Scott Spencer, and why it is number one of the top ten favorite books. Yes, the book was very well written, but the movies have endured as some of the worst material ever created in film history. I can only surmise that prurient interest garners readers for this book because of the book's reputation for graphic sexual scenes.

     I am very gratified that Long Walk to Freedom, Nelson Mandela's story about his "long walk," made the list. This beautiful soul and, perhaps, the most important person of the previous century, certainly deserves to have his story heard and legendary fight against apartheid and racism exemplified. I will never forget the day he was released from captivity: it was my birthday, and I celebrated his release along with so many others. Similarly, I mourned with the world at his passing, and dedicated the blog post to that great man.

    At first, I thought Monster Hunter Nemesis by Larry Correia, was a fluke. But as time went on, the book had staying power, and as you see, it made the top ten. I have to admit it, I really liked the book; you can see just how much by taking a look at my blog post. Readers of the M.H.I. series seem split on the series; I've read reviews and comments that call Correia anything but a writer, just a gun toting, gun and violence-loving _____. Nonetheless, I like the series, and since I'm a mature adult, I can decide just how much violence I can take in my reading. In a sense, much of the violence is so over-the-top, that the written scene is hilariously funny (BTW, for those of you who have read it, just think "snow plow"!).

   Divergent, is likewise, not a huge surprise. Since Veronica Roth parlayed the trilogy into a huge hit series, no one should be surprised.

     I read the book, 47 Ronin, by Joan D. Vinge because I heard the book was going to be coming to the big screen. I had been fascinated with the story of the "47 Ronin," and wanted to see how the true story had been fictionalized. With so many versions of the story out in book format, I wanted to read the book and see the movie. And, although I have mixed feelings about the movie, I really liked the story. Just keep in mind it is the fictionalized version, not a true-to-life story.

Date: 04-17-14

     I loved the book, Million Dollar Arm by J.B. Bernstein. It follows, that I wouldn't be amazed at its success as a movie as well as a book. Mr. Bernstein was kind enough to contact me and thank me for the review as well on behalf of Rinku and Dinesh. He also liked my book review as posted on my GoodReads page. So...I rejoice in Rinku and Dinesh's success, and everyone involved in the whole "Million Dollar Arm," project, book, and movie.

MULTIMEDIA THROUGH 2014:
     I try to mix it up when I can. Sometimes reading can get boring, so I try to insert various multimedia sources to keep things exciting and fresh. Taking thirty seconds to a couple of minutes can be a great way to get a new slant on things.

    So . . . since I have just given you a thumbs up on the Million Dollar Arm book (and movie), let me share with you a multimedia insert that I used in my post about the book. I had read an interesting factoid about Rinku. "According to India Today, before every game, Rinku recites Hanuman Chalisa and then listens to "I'm Not Afraid," by rapper Eminem. I found the song on Soundcloud and have it for you to listen to, here: [3]

 In the post I advised readers to listen to the words in the song, carefully, to see how Rinku psychs himself up. I also had confessed that I had never liked rap music much, but after listening to this song, I found it grew on me. I never knew I would ever like a rap song. You see, the power of reading led me to something new and beautiful and exciting. Oh, well, live and learn. Grow and become more.

     Not only did I utilize music tracks to encourage reading and interest in learning more about any subject, I also  used movie trailers. Since we've been discussing, Million Dollar Arm, let's see what the movie trailer looked like in my blog post:

     In the blog post about Million Dollar Arm, I confessed to readers that the trailer absolutely captivated me. Yes, I even knew what was coming, I had, after all, read the book. And, by the way, I laughed my way through the book, before seeing the trailer.

BUMPS IN THE ROAD:

Because I enjoy reading books and writ-
ing about them, I love this little caption. [5]

     Above, I told you what had happened to me, just three weeks ago, about getting pneumonia--that being the reason I could not do my post on time. Well, this year (Aug. 2014 to Aug. 2015), I had a few bumps in the road with which I had to deal. Early fall was all right. I did very well in my work, and health, my family was copasetic, and I looked forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas. In Nov. I got my pneumonia shot, but that didn't prevent me from falling. On Dec. 23rd, I fell and injured my arm. I spent the night in pain with an ice pack on my elbow. Dec. 24th, Christmas Eve, I went to urgent care and found out I broke my left elbow at the radial head in four places. I was placed in a half cast and went home with my arm in a sling. I did not enjoy spending Christmas Eve in urgent care. In late Jan. I was ordered into rehab and worked at that for six weeks. I was discharged from care and continued to work on strengthening my arm.

[6]

     During the following spring months I had a round of flu, just like so many others have had this year. Then I began retaining water and had to take a water pill and potassium until that got better; I also wore compression stockings and elevated my feet and legs to help circulation. I continued to have lower back pain due to a degenerative disc; the disc also caused pain in my hip and legs. The most troublesome problem was insomnia; My doctor ordered a sleep study, but my insurance denied it. Then came the pneumonia and the doctors tried to order a sleep study (again), but I told them that it had already been ordered and denied.

Cartoon by Rob Rogers. [7]

     It appears I may be going in for my sleep study, soon. I was just informed the study was ap- proved due to the additional problems I had in the hospital. Currently, I am still on oxygen while my lungs heal. Some- times I feel OK about using oxygen, no trouble at all, sometimes I feel as if I am tied or tethered to a post, and want to be free, and sometimes I feel so grateful for advanced medicine. I go back in Nov. for my follow up chest X-ray and my yearly fasting blood work.

[8]

     The hardest part for me is that all the injuries and illness, doctor's appointments, X-rays, therapy, seeing the home nurse, my inability to get a good night's sleep, and just feeling physically drained, has really slowed down my ability to draft my blog posts. I am pathetically behind, and feel ashamed I haven't been able to get them out, timely. It didn't matter that I am a "Never say 'quit'" person--I had to quit, at least for a while, and then go again, only much slower. You know what I say to that? "PLOT TWIST!"

FINAL TRANSITION:
     On May 8, 2014, I posted a blog post entitled, Don't Die With Your Music Still in You: A Daughter's Response to Her Father's Wisdom. The book was written by Serena J. Dyer and her father, Dr. Wayne W. Dyer. As I write this, it was only four days ago that Dr. Wayne W. Dyer, age 75, reportedly, died of a heart attack, at his Maui home in Hawaii. It all sounds so formal and aseptic, doesn't it? Reporting facts often sound that way, but to millions, it is anything but aseptic.

     Everyone who knew Dr. Dyer, who knew of his work, or read his books or listened to his tapes, or met him, will be touched, each in their own unique ways. I would tell you how his death touched me.

     I was privileged to review his daughter's and his book that I mentioned, just above. I couldn't feel more touched when Serena Dyer contacted me to thank me for reviewing her and her father's book. On the right, here, is a copy of her message to me along with her and her father's picture.

     Although Serena was writing to thank me, I felt as if she had given me something wonderful. Her acknowledgement of my post to me was as important as my review was to her.

     Dr' Dyer's death, in part, meant so much to me because I had read many of Dr. Dyer's books and listened to many of his tapes. Without a doubt, my life changed after doing so. It wasn't, after all, the listening to the tapes or reading the books that affected the changes. The changes happened on the inside where they creeped along the byways of my mind...to a "road less taken."

     I dedicate this blog post to Dr. Dyer and his beautiful children and loved ones who will surely miss him the most. Similarly, my heart goes out to all those missing Dr. Dyer and to those who mourn him in his passing. Serena, I thank you and will keep you in my thoughts.

[10]

THANK YOU FOR THIS PAST YEAR!

     As we all leave my blog year behind and begin year three, I want to thank all of you who stuck with me through this very rocky year.

     And while I am still coughing and remain on oxygen, the doctor released me to go back to work. I will be heading back to the law office next Tuesday, 09-08-15. I will be taking it easy there for a while, while I build up more stamina.

     Also, I want to let you all know just how very touched I am by some of your communications to me. I want to thank everyone who took the time to read my blog posts and keep coming back. I keep all of you in my prayers and in my thoughts. Please stick with me as I try to rebuild my blog and increase the frequency of my posts.

[11]

     PLEASE join me again, next time as we get back to reviewing books and having fun doing it. Please do yourselves a favor and read something this long Labor Day Weekend.

     I applaud the work and achievements of ALL of America's workforce and hope that this weekend you take a moment to reflect on what the workers of America have done to bring those achievements to the world. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, drive safely this weekend. Take extra time and leave early enough to not speed; observe the rules of the road, and even more importantly, be courteous to all drivers and pedestrians.

Until next time...

This beautiful "Rose of Sharon" is white with red center.[*]

...many happy pages of reading!

I send you ALL my love and gratitude.
   

_________________________________________________________

REFERENCES/SOURCES

[1] "Happy Blogiversary!" [Monthly Archives: September 2013.] faithlovejoyhope.wordpress.com. Retrieved 08-24-15.

[2] "AL amyloid in the heart." amyloidosis.org.uk. Retrieved 08-24-15.
[3] "I'm Not Afraid." [Eminem] soundcloud.com Retrieved 04-13-14.
[4] "Million Dollar Arm." youtube.com [Movie Trailer: Million Dollar Arm] Retrieved 04-13-14.
[5] "Plot Twist." pinterest.com. Retrieved 08-31-15.
[6] "Cahootsville." tonjasgatherings.com. Retrieved 09-02-15.
[7] "Second Opinion." [rob rogers] robrogers.com. Retrieved 09-02-15.
[8] "Health Tips: Boosting your energy while at work." [your health update] Retrieved 09-02-15.
[9] "Self-Help Pioneer Dr. Wayne Dyer Dies at 75, Family and Publisher Say." nbcnews.com. Retrieved 09-02-15.
[10] "Donating." indiegogo.com. Retrieved 09-03-15.
[11] "Closed Labor Day." hometownprovisions.net. Retrieved 09-03-15.
[*] "White Rose of Sharon." zazzle.com. Retrieved 07-29-15.

Mercy Thompson: Hopcross Jilly by Patricia Briggs--A totally new and original story in the Mercy Thompson Series!

[1]

Book Review by:
Sharon Powers.

     I blame my daughter for my obsession with Mercy Thompson. Although I've always loved books and reading from the time I could turn the pages until now, I became one of the truly obsessed when my daughter introduced me to Mercy Thompson. 

     My daughter was reading Silver Borne, Mercy Thompson, Book 5, when I asked her what her book was about. She launched into a diatribe about Mercy Thompson, seemingly not taking a breath until she had told me everything about the spunky auto mechanic. She insisted that I read the first book, Moon Called, Mercy Thompson, Book one.[2]

This is a temporary cover
used until the final cover
is released. Amazon.com
says that the release date
for Fire Touched is March
8, 2016. I can't wait! [3]

     So, I read Moon Called, then I read, Blood Bound, Book 2, then Iron Kissed, Book 3. These three were immediately followed by Book 4, Bone Crossed, and Silver Borne, Book 5. I read all five books in four days. I was hooked. That was in 2010, shortly after Silver Borne had come out. Currently, I, like many others, await, Fire Touched (book 9) to be released. [2]

     Since I had to wait until 2011 for River Marked, (#6) and until 2013, for Frost Burned, (#7) I became one of those people who constantly checks the calendar and watches for those "releases" by someone about the content of the upcoming book. I got nothing, so it was a long wait until 2014 for Night Broken, (#8).

     In between the publication of one book and another, I read other Patricia Briggs' novels. It helped. I found that I really liked Patricia Briggs' writing and enjoyed other stories from her pen. It comes as no surprise to me, certainly, that I would jump at the chance to read and review a Patricia Briggs' novel.

[2]

     Another very great joy, for me, is that I get the opportunity to read this book from NetGalley as an ARC (advance reading copy) in exchange for a fair and honest book review. One beautiful thing about this is that I get to download the digital book to my computer. I literally jumped for joy when I saw that this book (Mercy Thompson: Hopcross Jilly) was available! And, even though I have another one or two surprises to disclose, it must wait until I give all of you the synopsis of this story.

A BRIEF SYNOPSIS OF HOPCROSS JILLY, an Original Mercy Thompson Story!

     First, to better understand how Hopcross Jilly fits into the Mercy Thompson Series, we are told that it falls chronologically in between Frost Burned (book 7) and Night Broken (book 8). The book also falls just after events that occurred in the Alpha and Omega Series, Dead Heat (book 4). [2]

     Hopcross Jilly has a complete story arc with a beginning, middle, and end. Although readers of the series will appreciate the nuances of the story better than those who haven't read the series, without a doubt, this book can operate as a stand-alone book.

     Who is Mercy Thompson? She is a native American who is an auto mechanic and a shapeshifting coyote. Break- ing all bounds of the werewolf world, she falls in love with the alpha, Adam Hauptman and is soon an honorary member of his Tri-Cities Werewolf Pack.

This graphic is from a written press re-
lease by Dynamite Entertainment. In
that press release, they announced the
release date for the new Mercy Thompson
Series, created exclusively for comics.
by Keith Davidson: 07-14-14. [4]

     One evening, out with the pack in their wolf form, Mercy and the pack inadvertently stumble upon bones that appear to have been hidden and partially buried. It isn't long before the wolf pack members turn up more remains. Mercy quickly surmises that they are children because of the size of the bones and whole skeleton--she calls the police.

     With the discovery of the buried bones of the many murdered children, Mercy finds herself knee deep in a dark mystery. A mystery which plunges Mercy into dealings with the powerful and secretive fae.

     Unfortunately, Jesse, Mercy's step-daughter, is drawn by dark forces into the mystery, as well. Once involved, she cannot walk away, and the cost may be her very life. Will her bones be found in a dirt pit, along with the other children?

WHAT I THINK ABOUT THIS BOOK:
     OK. I've already divulged my obsession with the Mercy Thompson Series. Now I set all of that aside as I give you an objective opinion about the new book. I hope that by the end of this review you will feel I have been able to accomplish that. Here we go:

This is a quick snapshot I took of
the hardback edition I purchased
for myself. The photo shows part
of one page; setting: high school.

     FIRST, let's address the formal components of the book. Since I have an e-book from NetGalley, I cannot review for you the hardcover edition, only the e-book edition. I mention this because in addition to the e-book edition I received from NetGalley, I purchased for myself the hardcover edition of this title.

     The cover image (the first image, located at the top left of this post), as you can see, is vibrant, even while the artist, Tom Garcia and colorist, Mohan, chose to set the mood with somber colors. Given that there is a giant reaching over the house, the image should convey an image of horror and forbidding. Looking, however, at Mercy in her fighting stance with one fist clenched and leaning forward to meet the evil head on, it seems to evoke more a feeling of "Let's dance!" than of unapproachability.  The light over part of the scene shows hope. So, I think the cover is outstanding in that it leads us to want to know more, and not be afraid to open the book and turn the pages.

     Inside, where dark forces are at play, somber blues, grays, blacks, punctuated with brick reds and reds to warm the image, a bit--just like the cover. The pages dealing with the high school are full of light, colors, and openness. So, Garcia and Mohan did very well with the use of color in setting the scenes and atmosphere. Additionally, the images are just beautiful. To say that I like the graphic images would be an understatement.

You can't really see too much of what is going on, here. I
took this photo of my computer screen with the digital book
opened up to a page where Jesse is at the high school.
I wanted you to see the openness and vibrant
colors and lightness of  the scenes.

     SECOND: Audience: In the early days of comics, the "funnies" were for children, fairly exclusively. Since the growth and popularity of the graphic novel, the line is much harder to draw. (no pun intended). Graphic novels made comics acceptable. They also went from "episodic" publications to full novels with a beginning, middle, and end--told in pictures. So, then given those brief considerations of audience, just who is the audience for Hopcross Jilly? At first blush, most would think it a YA (young adult) novel. This could be true, especially with Jesse as a high schooler who takes center stage in the story.

     But, then we have some really gruesome scenes like the finding of children's bodies on the property in question, and the apparent mass murder of children. And then, in a scene much like Edgar Allen Poe's, Tell Tale Heart, parts of the deceased children were buried under the floorboards--here, finger bones and toe bones were buried like that. In the book, the fae tell the story about one who ate the fingers and toes of bad children.

Here, Hansel and Gretel are locked in
a cage by the wicked witch, so as to
fatten them up before cooking and
eating them. The witch has very poor
vision, so Hansel sticks a bone through
the cage when the witch comes to
check on how plump the children have
gotten; he does this to fool the witch
into thinking the two are still too thin
to eat. "Wildfire" points out that the
bone Hansel sticks out of the cage is a
bone of a previous occupant who
had been killed and eaten. [5]

     So, the sheer gruesomeness of some of the scenes do not seem appropriate for children. But then, again, modernly, many children from middle schools go to see violent movies and read other books focusing on violence; and what child hasn't heard a violent fairy tale [e.g. the witch who ate children in Hansel and Gretel.]?

     THIRD: The Story: I mentioned, above, that the story has a beginning, middle, and end; moreover, given the size of the book, it is large enough to be a graphic novel. But, note, just because it has a complete story arc and is large enough to be a book, doesn't mean it is a graphic novel. Two things are at play, here:

• First, it was the intention of Patricia Briggs and Dynamite Entertainment to create this book as a "comic," exclusively. [4]

• Second, the book was originally published in episodes, just like a comic book and later (i.e., now) those episodes have been assembled into the complete story under one cover. These two things are dispositive to the issue of whether or not the book is a comic or a graphic novel.[4]

     Next, let's take a look at Jesse's part in this gruesome story. In the series most of the main characters get to be center stage for a while--along with Mercy--to have their story told. Like many of the books in the series, Jesse gets to have her story told (well, at least part of it). While the story starts out with Mercedes (Mercy), Jesse soon takes center stage in the story.

Many people proudly read YA. Given
that there are readers of YA, it must
be that there are authors of YA, as
well. Tori Centanni tells everyone
why she writes in the YA genre. [6]

     As I mentioned, above, one of the things that makes us all suspect that the audience is for young people is that Jesse, a high school student, is one of the main parts of the story. This fact, alone, makes the story very appealing to young people. And then, of course, the story is told graphically, in the comic format--also appealing. We get to see what is going on with her, what problems she has, and also, how she faces those problems. Moreover, the high school, as a setting, is important for part of the story. We get to see Jesse in a high schooler's environment, high school. I can't tell you more without giving away some important facts relating to the major thrust of the story, so we must leave well enough, alone.  

     FINALLY: Satisfaction: To most of us, we judge whether or not the story gives us satisfaction in the reading. In this case, however, the story is told graphically, in comic book form. Even so, we still might ascertain whether or not the reading and visual parts of the story work as a cohesive whole in providing adequate satisfaction to say that the story was "satisfying," was "worth it," or was "good."

     So, here's what I can tell you without giving away important aspects of the story:

• The formal components of the book worked very well. That is to say, I really loved the artwork, the colorists concepts and execution in setting the tone of the various scenes. Very well done! The cover and story pages were just simply beautiful to see and read. 

[7]

• Whether or not the book is called a comic book or a graphic novel makes "no nevermind to me." All I mean, is that I believe a story will rise or fall regardless of what it is labeled. So, I won't enjoy it more as a graphic novel than I will a comic. The content is more important to me, so I do not knock down a story "simply because it is a comic."

• It was very gratifying to see Jesse get her day in the sun. Moreover, that Briggs was able to do that without lessening Mercy Thompson's appearances was hugely satisfying. To those of us that love Mercy, we want to see her, and that Briggs accomplished this without losing the story of the high school girl, Jesse, was really great.

• In the reading of the book, I sat down to read and read straight through to the end of the book. I would not, I could not, put the book down (so to speak). The story was very entertaining and had me from the beginning pages.

[8]

• What I didn't like about the book. Well, I would like to have seen more of Adam's pack and a bit more interaction with them. Also, I would love to have seen a little bit more involvement from one or two people from the community. A teacher, perhaps, or one of the police officers who hasn't been able to rest since the first child disappearances. Perhaps, even a concerned citizen watch member who has been researching and tracking the disappearances for years, but no one would listen to him or her. The story, if anything, is lacking more involvement with the community. I mean, if the high schoolers are so upset by this, where are the parents--do they not care? Where are the marches and the community searches for the more than twenty missing children? Where is the community outrage? We see it everyday on our televisions when one child is murdered or has gone missing. So, this part of the story just didn't seem true to the theme of missing children. IT LACKS THREE DIMENSIONALITY! And, also, while some might object to the minor amount of cursing in the book, I found it was not offensive to me. 

Overall, with everything considered. I enjoyed the story
and feel my money was well spent on my hardback
edition of the Mercy Thompson: Hopcross Jilly, book. [9]

• Overall, I enjoyed the story, beautiful art- work, and the courage to put the gruesome story out in publica- tion. I am sure young people will enjoy it. I certainly did. Perfect? No, the story is not perfect. But, it did pro- vide an overall satisfac- tion in the reading.

RATING:

[10]

     Given all of my, above, considerations regarding the book, Mercy Thompson: Hopcross Jilly, including the formal components, including the graphics and use of color, of the audience, the story, and the overall satisfaction I felt, balancing the positive against the things I didn't like, I give this book a rating of 4.0 stars out of 5.

     Thank you for joining me this week as we were privileged to look at the new Mercy Thompson: Hopcross Jilly book by Patricia Briggs. A big thank you to Ms. Briggs and Dynamite Publishing, and, of course, to NetGalley who makes all of this possible. Thank you, to all my readers for taking time to read and consider my review, today. 

     Please join me again, next week as I will bring you something new, and I hope, interesting. You never know what might jump out of the hat. My love to you all. And remember, show a little kindness every day to someone who may need a hand or just some support. You don't know what others are thinking, feeling, or problems they are facing. A kind word from you might make the difference in their day. God bless you all.

Until next time...

This flower is a white with red center Rose of Sharon. [11]

...many happy pages of reading.

Sincerely,

Sharon.

   

   

   




   

_________________________________________________________
REFERENCES/SOURCES
[1] "Hopcross Jilly: Mercy Thompson Series."  [patricia briggs] dynamite.com. Retrieved 07-27-15.
[2] "Mercy Thompson Series > Books." [images from Wikipedia only--no source material] en.wikipedia.org. Retrieved 07-28-15.
[3] "Fire Touched: Mercy Thompson Series." [patricia briggs] amazon.com. Retrieved 07-28-15.
[4] "Dynamite Announces Release Date for Patricia Briggs' Mercy Thompson Series, Created Exclusively for Comics and in-continuity with New York Times Bestselling Novels." [Keith Davidson] dynamite.com. Retrieved 07-28-15.
[5] "Too Dark for Disney: The Dark Stories Behind Some of Your Favourite Fairy Tales." [06-26-14] [Illustration by Arthur Rackham, Article by Wildfire] wildfiremovies.wordpress.com. Retrieved 07-29-15.
[6] "Why I Write YA." [tori centanni - 05-19-14] toricentanni.com. Retrieved 07-29-15.
[7] "Comics & Graphic Novels." abc.net.au. Retrieved 07-29-15.
[8] "Don't Like." lipstickalley.com. Retrieved 07-29-15.
[9] "What I Thought." [melissa Kantor] perpetualpageturner.com. Retrieved 07-29-15.
[10] "Conflicting Webs: Reviews." darlenequinn.net. Retrieved 07-29-15.
[11] "White Rose of Sharon." zazzle.com. Retrieved 07-29-15.