To Kill a Mockingbird- A Graphic Novel by Harper Lee
Product Details
Web ID: 6766683OK. Does not use comic storytelling technique well
I am too young to recall a debate over the novel vs. film adaptation of Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird” but will assume that there was one; there always is. I DO remember some discussion over a stage adaptation that appeared on Broadway in 2018, however. The explanation was simple – each storytelling medium had its own strengths and weaknesses which needed to be considered when using it to tell a shared story. In the same approximate timeframe as the play, Fred Fordham released “To Kill a Mockingbird” as a graphic novel, taking on both the responsibility for adapting the novel into graphic form, and then illustrating it. I cannot evaluate the play, as I have never seen it and it is not the purpose of this review. However, having gone through Mr. Fordham’s adaption, I found it to be a loyal re-telling of the novel as Ms. Lee wrote it. This is both very good - AND quite disappointing. Listening to an interview with Jeff Daniels, who recreated the role of Atticus Finch on Broadway, he described how different media require different techniques to tell the same story. I didn’t get a feel that anything made the graphic novel “special”; it was simply a re-telling with pictures and word balloons. Mr. Fordham did eliminate the distinct boxes between panel drawings and he did occasionally explode a picture to larger size for dramatic effect. However, I did not feel that he took full advantage of the techniques available via the comic / graphic novel mechanism to make the story both Ms. Lee’s and HIS. I am not saying avoid this book, it is a nice telling of the tale. BUT I am not saying rush out and get it and move it to the top of your “To Be Read” list, either, especially if you’ve already read the novel or seen the movie. (On the other hand, if you’re rushed to do a high school book report on the novel and put off reading it until the last minute, this book may be your saving grace.) RATING: 3 ½ stars, rounded down to 3 stars where ½ stars are not permitted.
Recommends this product
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
An accurate adaptation!
This full-length graphic novel is very true to the original prose. Most graphic novel adaptations I read seem to summarize the story into a short story-sequence but this one followed the entire story, giving us all the details and dialogue paired with lovely illustrations that brought the story to life and reminded me very much of the film adaptation that I also remember seeing in high school. I won't go into detail about the plot or my thoughts on it but I'm glad to have revisited this important read in this particular format. Fred Fordham has done justice to this classic. I especially enjoyed the soft color palette and well-done characters' expressions and body language. If you like To Kill A Mockingbird or graphic novels, I would definitely recommend this!
Recommends this product
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com