VERY LONG REVIEW for this CBR15Passport genre
While this review is (hopefully)tasteful, this book has several triggers.
Version one
At first, Look Again, a graphic novel by Elizabeth Trembley looks like it will be this sparse, dramatic, artistic story. Then it moves in a more realistic direction. But by the end of the story (or page 118 on my online reader copy) I realized this book is one deep commentary on life and the idea of are we good witnesses to our own lives? Our own stories? Can we truly tell the truth?
This is due to an event that happened to her several years before. While walking her dogs early in the morning, off leash (illegal in the state park), she locates a body hanging from a tree. All the thoughts happen, “Is it real? A prank? (It is after Halloween) Murder? Suicide? If murder, are the murderers still around?” And in the next four versions of the story presented, she tells us what happened. What was said, who was around, the “just the facts,” but after each version is done she has added more and more information. Things change as the years go by. The basics are still there, but new insights and yes, even parts of memories, come back. But on variation five, even though each version brings her clarity, some answers, but always more questions, too, we get more of the truth. Or do we? You see, there is a fact that might not be true after all. And that is where I stopped to write these paragraphs.
The artwork is all over the place with the different styles used to help show not just the details (person talking to a police officer, woman at the door, sitting down at the table, finding the body) but the emotions as well. As the page unfolds, the story unfolds, and different number of details are used to show how the memory comes into play. Do not rush while reading. In fact, I am going to be rereading as son as I get my physical copy (I lent it to someone) or I will be purchasing as I will also donate and give to friends, I know need this book.
Mature themes, situation, some homophobia, some language included, therefore not for sensitive or young audiences.
Version two
I just cannot say enough good things about this graphic novel by Trembley. The four is a 4.5 as some of the art of Trembley was not “my thing” but I could have overlooked it, but a couple images threw off the flow for me. Which I am sure was the point. This book has more layers than Trembley has versions of her story (by the books end there are 6, with a start to a seventh). We explore some of the whys she thinks what she thinks. And we learn possibly why she acted in a manner not “normal” or at least not what she “should” have done.
You see, I did not have all the facts when I wrote my first version on my feelings, the review. I was missing a giant piece. The revelations she had about herself and the reasons behind her (possible) truth.
Because there is so much going on, so many pieces of the puzzle, you need to read in a quiet, comfortable place, and need to be willing to go on the ride and assume nothing until you get to the end of things. But even then, it needs to be a question mark, as maybe there is more. Because my interpretation is there is always more, there is always something missing, there are things added and taken away because we are the worst witnesses to our own events. We are the ones that protect ourselves by shutting our brains off, hitting delete on the memory files and even rearranging a few things. The book made me think. How do I tell a story? I am always telling one, I can make the smallest thing be a hoot and a holler because of my tone, what order I tell the punch line, etc.
And then that got me thinking, the author is a writing professor as well as a writer. This book can be used on multiple levels, it can be used as a “how to” write, or a how to come of age, or even a graphic novel on how graphic novels help you tell a story in a way that just text cannot.
I did two versions of this review because in review one, though I had a thoughtful and well-rounded amount of information to know what was happening, I had not finished. When I was able to, I then realized I was missing a big piece of the puzzle. I then, had more thoughts, more feelings and realized, like the versions of the authors story might be similar, there are always subtle things tht can be added.
