Graphic Novels: Pros and Cons

Graphic novels are something that I haven’t really read before. I know people love to read them and be able to have a story with great illustrations along side to help tell the story. I personally feel as though they take the imagination side of reading away although when it is based off of well known characters does it really make a difference?

Graphics novels are better for a quicker read. They are often easier and a lot quicker to comprehend and understand with the imagry allowing for a quicker understanding. You can also read the characters emotions and bodylanguage through the imagry and takes away the time to explain everything in detail. My sister would choose to read a graphic novel over a general book anyday as it allows her to be immersed in a story without having to spend the time investing in the words and descriptions. It is already there on the page through the images. It seems that it is more exciting with all the colours and vibrancy.

I personally still don’t think that graphic novels beat general books as there seems to be a lack of your own imagination being used. The characters are already designed and shown and there is no real descriptions so that you can create your own image in your head. I find graphic novels harder to understand personally as there is often so much going on with the multitude of images and speach bubbles everywhere. With colour and outline often showing who is speaking and in which tense. I find it much harder to keep up with the story and not just guess via the images.

Overall , I would say that it is completely personal preference as to whether you like graphic novels or a general book better as it depends on what you like. For example I love back and white books whereas my sister loves colourful, illustrated graphic novels. I will stick to my books for now but I see that graphic novels are just another way to express a story on pages.

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(PS please feel to comment your opinion on graphic novels )