The “art” of the novel: embracing a new literary medium

Art is a medium for storytelling. Yet when asked about their favorite stories, few people point to books of pictures, preferring instead a particularly striking novel or play. Many consider graphic novels to lack literary merit, and so they have been more or less relegated to the shadowy abyss of “pleasure reading.” It is undeniable, however, that this medium is able to convey messages with rare clarity and poignancy; while authors pour their beliefs into words, graphic novelists  rely on pictures — prose is forgone for portrait.Although superhero comics — the staple of Marvel, DC, and Darkhorse — and manga have long enjoyed widespread popularity in American culture, there has been a recent resurgence in biographical narratives and non-fiction graphic novels. The release of Art Spiegelman’s “Maus” was a watershed moment in the history of the  graphic novel. It propelled the format to recognition and international respect; “Maus” became the first graphic novel to win a Pulitzer Prize in 1992. Spiegelman had managed to tell his father’s story as a Holocaust survivor with not only candor but also a sense of bleak acceptance and eventual forgiveness. His sincere empathy for the hardships his father faced are clearly embedded within the artistic details of each panel, drawing readers to travel without prejudice or judgment through the sometimes painful process of remembering.Scarcely a decade later, Marjane Satrapi’s tale of childhood rebellion and confusion, “Persepolis,” gave her similar literary renown. Rebellious and bold, Marjane was sent away from her home in a strict regime to study abroad. In Vienna she gleans maturity and independence from the difficulties of adapting to another way of life, but when she returns to Iran Marjane is as lost as ever, struck by the disconnect of belonging to two very different cultures. An examination of the consequences of the Islamic revolution upon individuals, “Persepolis” describes through dialogue and sketches the struggle to discover one’s identity and place among communities that hold conflicting values.Graphic novels can focus from the trials and tribulations of growing up to the recounting of historical events. Despite this range of topics, one thing is constant — the care that the artist has given to the stories behind the pictures, and as you hover over the bookshelves in search of your next read, give yourself a chance to appreciate the complexity of graphic novels. Whether you seek casual escape or new perspectives on the human condition in reading, you will be enriched by the experience.twang@thesamohi.com