Twenty years ago, a book called Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson came out. A book about a subject we still do not really talk about today. Speak told the story of Melinda, a freshman in high school, the night she was raped and the fall-out from that.
Speak: The Graphic Novel keeps to the feel and message of the novel. I was surprised at what I remembered but things I had forgotten came back and rediscovered other things. I think it has been rearranged a little bit but is still the classic I loved and still recommend. Yet, it is its own story as well.
Emily Carroll brings to life the story with her busy black and white art. The illustrations help move the story along, accenting the important points of the story. You see the students shunning Melinda, the one “friend” she has using her, her parents glaring at each other, their arguments, and everyone blaming everyone but themselves for their troubles. Expect for Melinda who only blames herself for things she has no control over or her fault. The mood of both text and art complement each other. However, due to how busy the images are, sometimes details get lost. But, take your time and read the illustrations as slowly as you would the text. Yet, like a good piece of moist chocolate cake, you are going to want to devour them.
What I waited for with anticipation was how would Carrol deal with my favorite part of the story. It is not my favorite because of what is going on or that I “like” what is happening, but because of the raw emotion it evokes. I still remember reading this line and wanting to scream, yell, cry, throw the book and not able to speak because my stomach and heart were jumping beans. The line come to visual life was the line, “Fresh meat.” This line is the most important line for me. This line tells you everything you need to know about the story and the characters.
Anderson and Carrol have not disappointed with this new edition. I cannot wait to read Anderson’s follow up, Shout.