Friday, April 17, 2015

"Graphic" Novels: A Story of Misunderstanding

It was a few years ago that I really got into reading comics and graphic novels. It was also during that time that I discovered how expensive reading these graphics could really be. Thankfully, I had access to an amazing library that I frequented on a regular basis. However, I have always loved having copies of certain books for my own personal collection, so I began haunting used bookstores and library book sales for copies for my own collection at a less expensive rate.

This last summer, I moved to a new community, one that was not quite as literary as the communities that I have lived in the past. I searched high and low for book availability in my area, finding only a handful of bookstores and a library with a minimal selection of graphics. Yet, I remained hopeful when I saw that the library was having one of their book sales. I knew that I would make it a point to check it out, and when I first walked into the room, I was not disappointed. It was a large room filled with lots of books, stacked on top of the tables, stacked in boxes below the tables, on bookshelves lining the walls, and in usual library style, bookshelves standing side by side in the back of the room. They even had a room devoted to special collections and editions.

I spent hours at that book sale, visiting every aisle, every table, looking high and low for any and all books that caught my eye. Yet, I did not spot a single graphic novel or comic. I thought I might have been missing something, so I politely asked one of the library volunteers, “Do you have a graphic novel section?”

Instantly, this kind woman with grey hair and thick glasses was very uncomfortable and she only looked at me with large eyes. I was not sure how to take this response, until she quietly asked me after that long pause, almost in a whisper, “Do you mean graphic sexually?”

GASP.

“Ummmm, no.” My only response that I could muster. I had never received this kind of reaction to my request before. Then, of course, I thought, not necessarily. Because let’s admit that some of the best graphic novels and comics that are out there may have some sexual content.

After gathering my own thoughts, I then clarified, “More like comics in book format.”

“I would try the children’s section.”

I resigned myself to checking the children’s and young adult’s section one more time, quietly hoping as I browsed the shelves amongst the young ones that the books I was looking for were not found here, where little eyes may be opened to quite another world. Not bad worlds per se, just worlds that are meant for more mature eyes.

I left the library book sale that day with a great stack of books, but sadly not one graphic in my stack and quite a different view on how they may be perceived. I wish I had found a good one that I could share with the volunteer that day, to open her eyes to the beauty and fabulous literature that can be found in panels.

Have you ever experienced a graphic misunderstanding in your bookish life?

14 comments:

  1. Oh my!! That made me laugh right out loud, lol. ;)

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    1. Jennifer Hartling ... Glad you got a good laugh out of it! :)

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  2. Oh my goodness! You handled it so well, though. I would have turned red and left! Hahah.

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    1. Natalie A ... I am sure that I turned a bit red as well!! ;)

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  3. So funny, Tif! I guess I can see why the library volunteer said that, but it's sad that graphic novels are still so unknown in some places.

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    1. Belle Wong ... It really is so sad! They really can be so much fun and amazing!

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  4. Haha!

    I've been buying comics on and off for years, and my sister was a bit snobbish about them, until a friend of hers started reading them....then suddenly my collection was interesting!

    Never had a problem with sellers. Unfortunately, much money is invested in my local Comic Book Store which is 5 minutes away from where I live. Whoops!

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    1. nordie ... Ha! It's actually time and money worth spent though in the long run! :)

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  5. Tif, I'm sorry you didn't find graphic novels, but I'm guessing since their popularity has become more mainstream in recent years, it hasn't reached everywhere just yet.

    And speaking of them, the one that got me into appreciating the format was David Small's STITCHES. OK, wow! Stunning!

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    1. writersideup.com ... You have a great point about it reaching everyone. Sometimes, I believe that Montana tends to lag behind the times too!

      I've read Stiches and really enjoyed it! I have really been reading lots of memoirs in this format recently, and a number of them really stand out. They can be so powerful!

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  6. That's hilarious! I can't say I am on the graphic novel bandwagon, but I can appreciate those who love them. That poor woman at the library. You shocked one year of her life away, I think!

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    1. Michelle S ... LOL!! I really probably did!! She didn't sign up for such conversations as a Friend of the Library!! ;)

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  7. Bahahahahaha, oh God, that's too funny. I've completely given up saying "graphic novels" and I only say "comics" now. It mostly avoids misunderstanding.

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    1. Jenny @ Reading the End ... I really should use "comics" more often! But then, I worry they will think that I am just talking superheroes and there are so many other possibilities!

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