Text vs. Graphic Novels- Caroline by Neil Gaiman

Most people prefer to read graphic novels over the actual text because it’s easier to read, there are pictures, and it isn’t time consuming. However, I’m the total opposite of that; I honestly prefer to read the text than a graphic novel. While graphic novels are pretty straight forward and you don’t have to wonder much about what’s happening because of the pictures, it deprives you to really get into the book. Unlike graphic novels, the text allows you to use your imagination and interpret the book how you want to. You’re able to put yourself into the story and really be able to connect with the character and experience what they are experiencing. You are basically creating the book the way you want based on what is written.

            The novel Caroline, by Neil Gaiman, is a perfect example of what I’m talking about. In the graphic novel the protagonist Caroline is portrayed in a completely different way than what the book states so in a way it diverts from the book. Caroline looks different than the descriptions in the book and so the other characters. Although the storyline is relatively the same, the pictures don’t add up exactly like the book says. The text is way more detailed when it describes the journey that Caroline goes through in this parallel world where her parents are completely different and more aware of her unlike her parents in the real world. In the graphic novel you have to depend greatly on the pictures to get a understanding of what’s going on and sometimes the pictures can lead your mind astray.

            Overall I just don’t like graphic novels. I don’t like the way it’s laid out nor do I like that you have to depend on the pictures to get the story. I rather take time to read a novel because I’m able to understand it much better. It’s ironic too, because I’m a visual learner but when it comes to graphic novels the pictures really don’t help me. Haha

The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz: Critique

            Being assigned to books are never fun because most of the time it’s completely boring and definitely not something I want to read. It’s always a complete struggle getting through the readings for an assigned book so when I was assigned to read The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, by Junot Diaz I was not happy. I looked at the cover and thought to myself; well this looks like another boring book. However, I was in for a big surprise because little did I know that I would absolutely love reading this book.

            Right from the start I was completely captivated by this book. I got attached to each character as their story was told. I felt so bad reading about Oscar and his loner days. I mean he made his life the way it was by toning all his attention into comic books and nerdy stuff and letting himself go into a complete slob but at the same time when he was trying to better himself he kept failing so he just gave up. Lola’s story came next and here I was able to get into her head when she described her relationship with her mother and what she went through with her. Her story also made me sad because personally I am very close with my mother and I’m able to open up to her and she never judges me so harshly. But here Lola was constantly being put down by her mother that it comes to a point where she had enough and just runs off with a boyfriend. Reading her story made me dislike her mother a lot but then when her mother’s story came my sympathy grew as I realized the reason behind her being so cold. Her mother, having born into a cursed family was neglected and the people who adopted her burned her and treated her harshly. However, she was recused by La Inca, who became her “mother,” and La Inca nourished her back to life. Beli was always grateful for that at the beginning but as she started to grow older and got a voice of her own she became a complete rebel like her daughter Lola. Only thing was, La Inca never treated her cold but Beli just had a mind of her own.

            This novel ended up being so touching to me because I could feel what every character felt. It was like I was there with them experiencing their struggles and as each character came upon a new journey in their life I was there right by their side. I was actually able to finish this book pretty fast because I could not put it down and I would definitely recommend this book to anyone. It really gets in your head and ends up making you appreciate your life a lot.