I've got a few books on the go right now, and I find that interesting, because growing up I NEVER read more than one book at a time. When I start a book, I finish it, whether I like it or not, and I would have never picked up something else halfway through another book I'd already started. And I still sort of feel that way. When I read a novel, or a graphic novel, or a text, I like to fully immerse myself in that one reading, from beginning to end. I've always been confused as to how other people can read more than one book at a time. KUDOS to them though.
I've sort of justified my polygamy reading by only reading one book of one medium at a time. For example, I'm reading one novel, a fantasy trilogy compilation called The Last Herald-Mage Trilogy by Mercedes Lackey, which... is not going too well; I have a historical text on the go, Renaissance People by Robert C. Davis, which is an illuminating text on the various influential historical characters who brought about and stirred the cultural rebirth; I'm also reading a sort of devotional, (re)union by Bruxy Cavey (although I dived into it about half-way through after joining a new fellowship); and I've had a graphic novel/comic book on the go since the new year as well. My most recent graphic novel was Through the Woods by Emily Carroll.
Through the Woods is a collection of eerie, chilling, and horrific stories that comes from the imagination of celebrated Canadian graphic novelist Emily Carroll. It tells five different stories, all set within the wooded countryside and illustrated in Carroll's very artistic and unique style. The art style is unlike anything I've seen before (granted my comic book/graphic novel experience is quite limited), but she has a very fluid, animated feel to her work. It's not realistic at all, but very flowing, abstract, and really reminded me of the artwork seen in the children's book Madeline. It's very whimsical and child-like, despite being down right terrifying at times.
Regardless of the artwork, I wasn't overly enthusiastic about this graphic novel as a whole, and unfortunately it was because I found the writing kind of poor... I feel like I'm always saying this, but I realize that with comic books and graphic novels the artwork is meant to speak just as much as the words, but for me, a novelist myself, and someone who reads a lot of novels, I always end up wanting more from the written side. Yes, the images are nice, but if there's not much to the story... it falls short for me. And overall, I was just kind of bored by Through the Woods. There were a few points where the imagery was chilling and a little unnerving, but the writing always seemed to interrupt that horror and suspense rather than enhance it.
Would I recommend Through the Woods? Undoubtedly, Carroll's unnerving imagery and abstract style paints a dark and twisted series of stories. It's like a unique blend between children's book visuals (and writing) and more chilling, adult horror. And those two different elements mixed very well together here. Just go into this graphic novel expecting a fun, light read. Don't expect it to thrill you, frighten you, or be some genre altering work, and you'll be fine.
