Speak: The Graphic Novel

by Laurie Halse Anderson

Other authorsEmily Carroll (Illustrator)

Hardcover, 2018

Status

Available

Call number

741.5973

Genres

Comics

Graphic Novels and Comics

Graphic Novels

Collections

Read, Read in 2019

Publication

Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) (2018), Edition: 2, 384 pages

Description

"Speak up for yourself--we want to know what you have to say." From the first moment of her freshman year at Merryweather High, Melinda knows this is a big fat lie, part of the nonsense of high school. She is friendless--an outcast--because she busted an end-of-summer party by calling the cops, so now nobody will talk to her, let alone listen to her.

User reviews

LibraryThing member Susan.Macura

I have read the original novel and am a huge fan of the author. However, I approached this book with some misgivings, primarily because I could not imagine how this amazing book could be reduced to a graphic novel successfully. I am pleased to say that my misgivings were premature and incorrect.

This is an amazing adaptation of the original version. The messages and lessons are all there, along with some amazing art work by Emily Carroll. This book would make a wonderful addition to any school or public library as students who might be hesitant to pick up a novel would certainly enjoy this version. As graphic novels become more and more popular with readers, it is wonderful to see that this format is moving beyond subjects such as superheroes and tackling some of our major literary works to make them more user friendly. Kudos to both Laurie Halse Anderson and Emily Carroll proving this can be done so well!

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LibraryThing member AlyssaDiane

I read the original book in high school and when I saw there was a graphic novel I wanted to check it out because nostalgia, but then I saw it was illustrated by Emily Carroll and I HAD to check it out 'cause I'm a huge fan of her original work. I related to this book in high school but I relate a

lot more now. The only differences between the main character and I are our parents, grades in school, and the way IT happened. Neither of those mattering over everything else. Even if you don't relate you should read it. This and Speechless by Hannah Harrington are books I feel should be required or at least strongly recommended to all high schoolers.

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LibraryThing member villemezbrown

I enjoyed this adaptation more than the original book. (I read the two back-to-back.) The adaptation flows along more quickly and Emily Carroll's art enhances the story considerably.

LibraryThing member mamzel

As powerful a story the original book offers, the graphic novel really conveys the isolation and depression suffered by Melinda who was raped at a party during the summer before she starts high school. She is caught calling the police but nobody thinks to ask her why. She keeps the event to herself

even though she is treated like a pariah during the school year.

The artwork easily doubles the impact of the story.

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LibraryThing member Smiler69

** spoiler alert ** This was unputdownable! I haven’t read the original book, but this graphic novel illustrated by Canadian artist Emily Carroll is really exceptional, with a gripping and harrowing story about a teenage girl, Melinda, who suffers torment and relentless bullying during her first

year in high school after having called the police during a summer party when an older boy raped her. She wants to forget all about the rape, isn't sure of what exactly happened anyway because she'd had her first few beers that night and didn't have all her wits about her and wasn't even given the chance to say 'no' when the assault took place.

She goes through her first year going from bad to worse, barely passing her classes while her old friends all shun her for having ruined their party and her parents can't understand what's happened to their formerly happy and lovely little girl. It would be an unbearable story if it weren't for the fact you know there's a resolution coming. There's also the art teacher who encourages Melinda to work on a tree project all year as a way to express herself, and the art room ends up being one place where she does find comfort, with the project giving her a challenge to work with. You feel Melinda's struggle with herself throughout, until eventually she is forced to speak out or be victimized again. And of course she chooses to finally use her voice and defend herself. The illustrations are wonderful and I was so taken by the story that even though I'd started the book well past midnight with the intention to just get a few pages into it, next thing I knew it was well past two in the morning as I just couldn't stop before reaching the conclusion. There are resources listed at the end of the book for survivors of sexual assault. Of course now I'll have to read the original novel too!

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LibraryThing member sweetiegherkin

After last summer's disastrous party, Melinda starts off high school with no friends and a deep depression. But what exactly happened at that party is something Melinda won't talk about to anyone -- even herself.

This graphic novel is based on the YA book of the same name that was published 20

years ago. There are a few updates in the text to acknowledge changes in technology or pop culture, but this is more or less the same tale. As with the original novel, Melinda's account of her sexual assault and its aftermath are moving and, unfortunately, a story that many teens *need* to hear. Melinda's voice is also fantastic -- she is snarky and sharp when observing social customs that she finds ridiculous, but she can also be inspired by others and feel a range of emotions.

At first, the graphic format didn't do a lot for me, especially in the early pages when Melinda's story seems to be one of simply fitting in at school. But as we delve further into her story, the artwork really takes off. There is of course the work from Melinda's art class, but Carroll's illustrations also get at Melinda's myriad of feelings that run the gamut of anger, shame, guilt, loneliness, etc.

All in all, this is a title I would highly recommend for teens -- and adults, too.

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LibraryThing member acargile

I read the novel Speak years ago, so I feel I could read the graphic novel without comparing it to the novel. It's quite good.

Melinda begins the school year as an outcast. No one will acknowledge her, including her former best friend from merely weeks ago. Only a new student wants to spend time

with her. Heather, the new girl, is really more interested in getting accepted into the "in" crowd, so this relationship is tenuous for Melinda at best. Loneliness, guilt, and shame are her companions. Even the teachers lack any caring attitudes. Only the art teacher tries to connect, but he has his own problems.

Melinda stops communicating. She rarely talks. Her parents don't like each other anymore and should divorce, so Melinda doesn't feel she can confide in them. They just berate her for her poor grades (what has happened?) and spend more time concerned with their own lives and disliking each other. They don't have time for Melinda and seem annoyed that she is adding to their stresses. Why talk to them? The teachers are ready to yell at people and seem to have their own battles. They don't have time to notice--much less help--anyone. The art teacher makes an assignment. He gives each student an object and the students must interact creatively with that object all year. Melinda gets a tree. He wants to care and does, but he also has problems battling administration.

The tree becomes the metaphor for Melinda's life. I do think the novel does a better job exploring this relationship, but you will notice trees drawn on many of the graphic novel pages. The teacher keeps encouraging Melinda to BE the tree. It's really the art that keeps Melinda from completely giving up. The novel progresses through Melinda's life as she becomes more and more alienated until she evolves, like a tree. Ultimately, Melinda has to speak about what happened. She has to tell the truth and deal with what happened. Staying silent only helps the guilty.

I honestly believe every teenager should read Speak and in high school read Luckiest Girl in the World. Both novels reveal misconceptions about popularity and boy/girl roles in high school. These are truths that shouldn't be swept under the rug because they make someone feel uncomfortable. These could literally save a young girl from violence.

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LibraryThing member taralentz

Melinda, a freshman, goes to Merryweather High and has no freinds due to her calling the cops on a party the year before. What no one knows is that she was rapped at the party by an older high schooler. While in art class she starts working on an art project to express what happened to her that

night. Through her work on an art project, she is finally able to face what really happened that night:

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LibraryThing member DrFuriosa

This works really well as a graphic novel. Emily Carroll deftly brings Melinda to life, and Anderson breathes new life into her work. Plus, David interpreted as a man of color really adds an interesting racial tendion between him and Mr. Neck that is uncomfortably relevant. Obviously, this is a

frank look at PTSD from sexual violence, so read when you are in a good place to fo so.

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LibraryThing member Completely_Melanie

This book was so moving, and I feel that the graphics of it really added another aspect to this story. I have never read the original novel, but after reading the graphic novel of this, I would like to. This is about a girl who is raped the summer before her freshman year at a party by a boy that

will be a senior that year. She calls the police, but before she can tell anyone what happens, everyone gets mad at her for getting the party busted. She spends the next year shunned by the whole school and silently struggles with what she has been through until she sees that the boy has now involved himself with another girl. She wants to try and protect this girl from him but at the same time she is afraid to speak.

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LibraryThing member LVStrongPuff

I read the original book years ago. The Graphic Novel puts a picture with what I read. It is still a very moving and tragic book. I still think that young girls should read it and know that NO means NO. It is not your fault. Rape is not the victims fault.

LibraryThing member Lavender3

I deeply enjoyed this book. I want everyone to read it. I am going to try and find the 2004 film about it. Assault, rape, abuse is never your fault. We all go through trauma but we are still responsible for our actions and choices. Beautifully made. I almost cried.

FIlm Review:
Casting the smart guy

was wrong and made no sense.

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