Blankets by Craig Thompson

            Blankets is one of those books you see sitting amidst shelves and shelves of books and just have to pick up to have a look; sophomore year this was exactly what happened, but unfortunately I only ever skimmed over the contents of the book.  Blankets encompasses a number of themes, from spirituality to first love to simply dealing with the high school experience, but at it’s heart, to me it seemed like a coming of age story: gaining new experiences, finding yourself, and finding some semblance of peace with who you are and the world you’ve chosen to reside in.

            The main character and author, Craig, shows us his discontent with his world early on in the novel: from an early age, he retreated into dreams and the fantastical in order to escape a world where he could not hope to have a say against authority (both parental and spiritual authority), could not fit in with most of his peers (and was in fact bullied), and could only fleeting find a few moments of peace.

            From a technical standpoint, Eisner’s influence on Craig’s inkwork is clearly evident, although more polished and refined quite beautifully (I’m a sucker for good ink work), although the idea of spiritual contemplation and relationship between man and his god cannot go without comparisons also being drawn to Contract with God.  Craig’s ability to seamlessly meld his drawing style with more abstract visuals is striking when used, and only serves to further compliment the point the author is trying to make.

            On one last note, I found the comments made by one of the teacher characters to be simultaneously entertaining and rage-inducing: during a bible study class, Craig inquires if he can praise God with his drawings instead of having to sing [specifically while in heaven], as the instructor stated that “…our new lives in heaven will be devoted to praising and worshipping god…” by singing and exclaiming His name.  In response to his question, she essentially brushes young Craig aside, asking how drawings will praise God, when God has “already drawn [His creations] for us.”  The irony and ignorance of this answer isn’t immediately brought up, but the fact she neglects to remember the staggering amount of religious artwork in existence is hilarious (the fact that Christianity relied heavily on images to spread its faith throughout illiterate Europe during the Medieval Era and the centuries surrounding it makes this comment ever more bitterly funny).