I really dislike using the designation “coming of age story” to describe a book. I’m not totally sure why, but I think it’s partially because of the term’s pretentiousness, and perhaps more significantly, the fact that it makes me think of sappy Hallmark TV specials (*grimace*). Still, “coming of age story” is so very apropos for Blankets, that I’m having a hard time avoiding it. So, in order to preserve both my principles and my sense of dignity, I’m going instead to use the related German term, bildungsroman. A helpful colleague mentioned the word to me the other day, and after I looked it up, I was able to roughly translate it into “shaping novel.” (In this instance, the shaping refers to that of the main character, whose maturation is the central theme of the work.) I think the Germans put it very well, so I’m going to run with it…
Ahem….Blankets is a bildungsroman. An autobiographical bildungsroman, actually. And not just an autobiographical bildungsroman, but also a graphic novel, autobiographical bildungsroman. (Some of you will read the words “graphic novel” and stop reading this post—don’t! This book is a true work of art with a touching storyline, and it deserves your time and attention.) Thompson grew up in an evangelical Christian household, and Blankets begins with scenes from his childhood. As the work progresses, the reader sees him enter his teenage years and meet Raina, his first true love. While he deals with the feelings she has awoken in him, he also explores his own identity.
Thompson uses black and white ink drawings as his medium, changing the viewpoint and perspective frequently, but smoothly. Most of the imagery is grounded in reality, but surrealistic depictions often appear during times of extreme emotion. When Craig is confused, the art evokes confusion, when he is lonely, loneliness, and so forth…and when Thompson draws the woman he loves, you can’t help but love her with him.
Blankets includes sexual themes and depictions of nudity, which might be off-putting to some readers, but nothing is there that doesn’t belong. Some scenes are disturbing (but not inappropriate.)
I consider this a great book—a must-read for those who read graphic novels, and a should-read for those who don’t. Enjoy!
By the way, did I mention that Blankets is a bildungsroman?
Check the WRL catalog for Blankets.
Blogging for a Good Book 
Funny review! How do you think it compares to Maus or to Fun Home (which are both memoir, not novel)?
Maus seemed darker to me, both in tone and artwork.
Spiegelman’s artwork is full of angular shapes and rough lines, while Thompson’s artistic style is smoother and more flowing. I think this gives Blankets a warmer, more welcoming feeling.
And while Thompson deals with some difficult issues in Blankets, the moments I found the most profound and memorable were the beautiful ones. (Maus, meanwhile, is memorable to me for its horrific scenes of cruelty.)
As far as the difference implied by the designation “novel,” I’m not sure if that term fits Blankets any more aptly than it does Maus. While Blankets reads like a novel (and has a novel’s length), my understanding is that it is mostly a true story, with no more fictionalization than might be expected in many other memoirs. (Unfortunately, I haven’t found any quotes from Thompson indicating how accurate Blankets actually is; I’m relying on the reports of others here.)
I haven’t actually read Fun Home, but I did put it on reserve for myself after reading your post. It looks like a good read.
Glad you enjoyed the post.
Amy