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Noughts and Crosses
Entre chiens et loups
Perséphone est une Prima : fille d’un ministre influent, elle a la peau noire et ses semblables contrôlent l’ensemble du pays. Callum, son ami d’enfance, est blanc. Il appartient aux Nihils, une partie de la population opprimée et discriminée. Pourtant, entre les deux adolescents, l’amitié se mue doucement en quelque chose de plus profond. Et, alors que la société entière pousse noirs et blancs à se détruire, Séphy et Callum choisissent de s’aimer. Une décision qui les forcera à aller au bout d’eux-mêmes…
220 pages, Paperback
First published June 4, 2015
35 people are currently reading
799 people want to read
About the author
Malorie Blackman
156 books4,519 followersAn award-winning children's author, Malorie Blackman was honoured with an OBE in 2008. Her work has been adapted for TV and stage.
More information available at:
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British Council: Contemporary Authors
British Council: Encompass Culture
Channel 4 Learning: Book Box
More information available at:
Myspace
British Council: Contemporary Authors
British Council: Encompass Culture
Channel 4 Learning: Book Box
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 147 reviews
June 23, 2015
This is a FANTASTIC adaptation of the novel, I'm so happy that it translated well and I think they condensed the story really well. The artwork is fairly simplistic, it didn't blow me away but it worked well enough, and although it doesn't have the same level of emotion as the book (probably because of it's reduced format, though I think it could have made me feel a LITTLE more) it did do the story justice I think.
I still fully recommend people read the original novel, but if you'd rather skip it for some reason this will give a great insight into the story and the ideas surrounding equality, race and society's weaknesses that made Noughts & Crosses famous and award winning.
I still fully recommend people read the original novel, but if you'd rather skip it for some reason this will give a great insight into the story and the ideas surrounding equality, race and society's weaknesses that made Noughts & Crosses famous and award winning.
May 23, 2022
Loved it! A brilliant graphic novel adaptation of a fantastic book! It doesn't matter what format I read this story in, I will always love it!
March 8, 2020
A pretty OK graphic novel that tells us the story of Noughts/Crosses in comic style. While it has been quite some years since I read the first book I still remember some parts here and there so I can say that the GN has done a pretty good job at getting all the important bits in but also keep the story moving and flowing. Sometimes GN's don't do that, so I am happy this one did.
The art was hit/miss. Sometimes quite nice, other times not my cup of tea.
Glad I had a chance to read this one and get back to the world of Noughts/Crosses in which the racism of the US is flipped around. Whites are the ones being oppressed/discriminated against while the black people are the rulers and the ones who control all. Quite an interesting flip/idea. The ending, holy wow, I forgot that happened.
Though at times I was just a bit bored and at times I just wanted to throw some characters in a big pond or swimming pool, it took me 2 tries to really start reading this GN. Vaguely I know I had the same feeling when reading the book.
The art was hit/miss. Sometimes quite nice, other times not my cup of tea.
Glad I had a chance to read this one and get back to the world of Noughts/Crosses in which the racism of the US is flipped around. Whites are the ones being oppressed/discriminated against while the black people are the rulers and the ones who control all. Quite an interesting flip/idea. The ending, holy wow, I forgot that happened.
Though at times I was just a bit bored and at times I just wanted to throw some characters in a big pond or swimming pool, it took me 2 tries to really start reading this GN. Vaguely I know I had the same feeling when reading the book.
March 8, 2020
WOW! This book hit me hard! I was left a tear-stained mess!
I have never read the original books but now I really want to pick them up. This was such a heart-wrenching and powerful depiction of two ethnicities in a society where Crosses (black people) and Noughts (white people) are very much encouraged to keep apart and not mix. I loved the main characters - Sephy and Callum, and thought Lynette’s story was so so sad :’(
In fact I found the whole thing sad but beautifully written and illustrated too.
A new favourite!
I have never read the original books but now I really want to pick them up. This was such a heart-wrenching and powerful depiction of two ethnicities in a society where Crosses (black people) and Noughts (white people) are very much encouraged to keep apart and not mix. I loved the main characters - Sephy and Callum, and thought Lynette’s story was so so sad :’(
In fact I found the whole thing sad but beautifully written and illustrated too.
A new favourite!
September 29, 2020
2,5/5stars. Very interesting concept, I just wish I would have liked the characters better!
February 9, 2021
I wasn't sure if I had read the book in the days before Goodreads, but reading the graphic novel brought it all back. I thought this was a lovely adaptation of the novel, perfect for existing fans or those new to it.
May 4, 2021
Book 131 of 2021
Wow. So amazing. It's basically book 1 in graphic novel format. It's very abridged so, super fast paced.
Rtc.
Wow. So amazing. It's basically book 1 in graphic novel format. It's very abridged so, super fast paced.
Rtc.
May 9, 2022
L’adaptation graphique d’une de mes sagas préférée 🧡 Cette histoire me brise le cœur à chaque fois et la bd est vraiment fidèle au roman. Ça m’a donné envie de relire la saga !
June 9, 2025
Haven't read the original novel this was based on so I can't compare the two but I loved the story. The race flip was interesting, the story was engaging and it was genuinely heartbreaking at times. Definitely recommend!
April 14, 2016
"D'you ever wonder what it would be like if our positions were reversed? If whites were in charge instead of you crosses?"
"I'm not sure I share your faith in a society ruled by noughts. People are people. We'll always find a way to mess it up, doesn't matter who's in charge."
I read the 'Noughts and Crosses' series many, many moons ago - back in 2007 and 2008. I've always wanted to reread it, but I haven't had the time: there are so many dystopian series that I haven't tried out yet, so it feels rude to spend time reliving these novels.
However, when I spotted this graphic novel adaptation in the library, I had to pick it up. I could remember the story well enough - it's haunting, so you can't forget it once you've read it - and it was a nice way for me to rediscover the characters and the story without spending too much time.
This graphic novel adaptation is very true to the book (from what I can remember - all of the main events are definitely present) and it's perhaps more effective seeing it played out visually: actually seeing the white people being oppressed and the black people ruling society. As the media and the government are still so overwhelmingly whitewashed (proven this week with the Oscar nominations, which completely snubbed black people from the awards) it's a stark contrast to the world that we're living it, and it proves that - despite the fact that ten years have passed since the first novel was published - not much has changed in the world, and there's still a long way to go to reach equality between the races.
Because the graphic novel is a speedy read there isn't as much character development, so it's not as emotionally involving (destroying) as the novel, but it's still a very enjoyable read. The art style is rather simplistic, but it adds to the charm of the overall product.
I really enjoyed this adaptation, and I sincerely hope the rest of the series undergoes the same treatment.
"I'm not sure I share your faith in a society ruled by noughts. People are people. We'll always find a way to mess it up, doesn't matter who's in charge."
I read the 'Noughts and Crosses' series many, many moons ago - back in 2007 and 2008. I've always wanted to reread it, but I haven't had the time: there are so many dystopian series that I haven't tried out yet, so it feels rude to spend time reliving these novels.
However, when I spotted this graphic novel adaptation in the library, I had to pick it up. I could remember the story well enough - it's haunting, so you can't forget it once you've read it - and it was a nice way for me to rediscover the characters and the story without spending too much time.
This graphic novel adaptation is very true to the book (from what I can remember - all of the main events are definitely present) and it's perhaps more effective seeing it played out visually: actually seeing the white people being oppressed and the black people ruling society. As the media and the government are still so overwhelmingly whitewashed (proven this week with the Oscar nominations, which completely snubbed black people from the awards) it's a stark contrast to the world that we're living it, and it proves that - despite the fact that ten years have passed since the first novel was published - not much has changed in the world, and there's still a long way to go to reach equality between the races.
Because the graphic novel is a speedy read there isn't as much character development, so it's not as emotionally involving (destroying) as the novel, but it's still a very enjoyable read. The art style is rather simplistic, but it adds to the charm of the overall product.
I really enjoyed this adaptation, and I sincerely hope the rest of the series undergoes the same treatment.
October 10, 2020
TOTAL READING TIME: 1 hour, 14 minutes.
I recently heard that this book series has been adapted into a TV show on the BBC. The trailer was intriguing so I thought I'd read at least the first book from the series. I found a copy of the graphic novel adaptation on Depop--I needed something quick because I have been experiencing the worst slump lately, so I didn't think there was any harm in reading the graphic novel before the actual novel.
I respect the fact that this series was written by a Black woman, so this wasn't a case of a non-Black author not staying in their lane and just fucking everything up... but this book was kind of dumb. I don't understand why this book received the critical acclaim that it did. It's classified as a 'sci-fi/dystopian' novel but there was very little world-building. As an alternate history novel there were a lot of gaps with how things in this particular world worked as well.
First, it's been implied that people from Africa colonized Europe, which is why white Europeans are oppressed in the first place. But what reason would Africans have to colonize Europe when Africa is abundant with natural resources, which is the reason why real-life Europeans colonized the continent in the first place? What could Africans possibly want in Europe?
Second, why would the noughts (white people) still have real-life western names if they were colonized by Africans? Why wouldn't they have names rooted in African cultures? Hell, why would the BLACK characters still have western names? Why were they wearing western clothes?
And LASTLY, what the fuck happened to the other races in the world? East Asians, Southeast Asians, South Asians, Middle Eastern people, Indigenous people... why were there no characters that belonged to other races? What happened to them? Is this book set in a world where there are only Black and white people? If other races existed, where did they fall in this book's 'oppression' binary? Were they oppressed by the crosses too or were they allies and only the noughts were oppressed?
My main problem with this book, however, is how it tried to portray the noughts' oppression. So we've established the fact that this book is about an alternate universe where Black people are the oppressors and it's white people being oppressed. Callum's family, particularly his dad and older brother, were depicted as members of a rebel militia, going so far as to planting a bomb at a local shopping centre and killing 7 people as a result.
To me, I just see this as pointless. Because newsflash: white people in real life already do that. There are subsets of white people who do think they're being oppressed by Black people/people of colour and think that white genocide is real. Domestic terrorists acting on white supremacy have killed Black people before. So I don't understand the point of depicting the white characters the way this book has as a means of asking the audience "omg what if the roles were reversed and this happened?" because it already DOES happen in real life. I thought it was kinda dumb that the Liberation Militia in the book was supposed to be an analogy for... the Black Panther Party? Because white nationalist militias are already a thing.
I dunno. Maybe I'm missing something. It is a series so maybe more details are explained in the later books. But based just on the premise and the concept and how it was all executed, it just wasn't for me.
I recently heard that this book series has been adapted into a TV show on the BBC. The trailer was intriguing so I thought I'd read at least the first book from the series. I found a copy of the graphic novel adaptation on Depop--I needed something quick because I have been experiencing the worst slump lately, so I didn't think there was any harm in reading the graphic novel before the actual novel.
I respect the fact that this series was written by a Black woman, so this wasn't a case of a non-Black author not staying in their lane and just fucking everything up... but this book was kind of dumb. I don't understand why this book received the critical acclaim that it did. It's classified as a 'sci-fi/dystopian' novel but there was very little world-building. As an alternate history novel there were a lot of gaps with how things in this particular world worked as well.
First, it's been implied that people from Africa colonized Europe, which is why white Europeans are oppressed in the first place. But what reason would Africans have to colonize Europe when Africa is abundant with natural resources, which is the reason why real-life Europeans colonized the continent in the first place? What could Africans possibly want in Europe?
Second, why would the noughts (white people) still have real-life western names if they were colonized by Africans? Why wouldn't they have names rooted in African cultures? Hell, why would the BLACK characters still have western names? Why were they wearing western clothes?
And LASTLY, what the fuck happened to the other races in the world? East Asians, Southeast Asians, South Asians, Middle Eastern people, Indigenous people... why were there no characters that belonged to other races? What happened to them? Is this book set in a world where there are only Black and white people? If other races existed, where did they fall in this book's 'oppression' binary? Were they oppressed by the crosses too or were they allies and only the noughts were oppressed?
My main problem with this book, however, is how it tried to portray the noughts' oppression. So we've established the fact that this book is about an alternate universe where Black people are the oppressors and it's white people being oppressed. Callum's family, particularly his dad and older brother, were depicted as members of a rebel militia, going so far as to planting a bomb at a local shopping centre and killing 7 people as a result.
To me, I just see this as pointless. Because newsflash: white people in real life already do that. There are subsets of white people who do think they're being oppressed by Black people/people of colour and think that white genocide is real. Domestic terrorists acting on white supremacy have killed Black people before. So I don't understand the point of depicting the white characters the way this book has as a means of asking the audience "omg what if the roles were reversed and this happened?" because it already DOES happen in real life. I thought it was kinda dumb that the Liberation Militia in the book was supposed to be an analogy for... the Black Panther Party? Because white nationalist militias are already a thing.
I dunno. Maybe I'm missing something. It is a series so maybe more details are explained in the later books. But based just on the premise and the concept and how it was all executed, it just wasn't for me.
March 16, 2024
I really enjoyed this graphic novel and found it to be a very eye-opening and thought provoking story.
While I haven’t read the original novel, this ‘Noughts & Crosses’ the graphic novel by Malorie Blackman is a brilliant take on realty, world racism and prejudice within our society. In a world where racism and discrimination is reversed, it is used to depict plainly the reality of what POC people go through daily. The reverse positions—white citizens being of lower class and black citizens being of higher class—provoke critical thinking of what it’s like to be in someone else shoes, in this case a white person being in a POCs position.
The story was an emotional rollercoaster, bringing up emotions of the realism it draws from in this society in this fictional world; it portrayed the the actual likeness to real world racism, prejudice and discrimination.
I think that this graphic novel—as well as the original novels, as it probably goes into a lot more detail—can be great tools for educational purposes to teach people how to be mindful, as well as being a good example of how to put yourself into another’s shoes and wonder what it’d be like if circumstances/positions in society were different.
The art had fairly simple illustrations, usually I would want a bit more from the art with graphic novels, but given the subjects and plot explored in this GN I’d say that the artist did a good job by keeping the art on the simpler side in order to not overpower the story and the message it’s trying to get across.
While I haven’t read the original novel, this ‘Noughts & Crosses’ the graphic novel by Malorie Blackman is a brilliant take on realty, world racism and prejudice within our society. In a world where racism and discrimination is reversed, it is used to depict plainly the reality of what POC people go through daily. The reverse positions—white citizens being of lower class and black citizens being of higher class—provoke critical thinking of what it’s like to be in someone else shoes, in this case a white person being in a POCs position.
The story was an emotional rollercoaster, bringing up emotions of the realism it draws from in this society in this fictional world; it portrayed the the actual likeness to real world racism, prejudice and discrimination.
I think that this graphic novel—as well as the original novels, as it probably goes into a lot more detail—can be great tools for educational purposes to teach people how to be mindful, as well as being a good example of how to put yourself into another’s shoes and wonder what it’d be like if circumstances/positions in society were different.
The art had fairly simple illustrations, usually I would want a bit more from the art with graphic novels, but given the subjects and plot explored in this GN I’d say that the artist did a good job by keeping the art on the simpler side in order to not overpower the story and the message it’s trying to get across.
December 6, 2017
Excellent univers, parfait pour éveiller les esprits au racisme, bien que la nécessité de transposer les problèmes pour alerter les populations privilégiées me met toujours un peu mal à l'aise.
Le format graphique est d'autant plus important qu'il impose au lecteurice la couleur de peau des personnages de manière claire et sans détour du cerveau trop habitué à considérer le blanc comme la norme, même lorsque le texte indique clairement d'autres ethnicités... Mais il manque quelque chose à cette adaptation. Trop plein, trop vite, peu de développement psychologique, je suis restée sur ma faim... Mais prête à m'attaquer à cette excellente série jeunesse !
Le format graphique est d'autant plus important qu'il impose au lecteurice la couleur de peau des personnages de manière claire et sans détour du cerveau trop habitué à considérer le blanc comme la norme, même lorsque le texte indique clairement d'autres ethnicités... Mais il manque quelque chose à cette adaptation. Trop plein, trop vite, peu de développement psychologique, je suis restée sur ma faim... Mais prête à m'attaquer à cette excellente série jeunesse !
March 12, 2018
I liked this graphic novel. When I was 12 and all the other kids at school were gushing over this book, I was reading Jacqueline Wilson and I think I may have missed an opportunity there. I thought this would be a good chance to get an idea of what the book was about without actually reading the original. I liked the story, I think the concept was amazing but I had a lot of issues with the pacing in this. I think we could have done with two books. It seemed a little cliché at times, and for me, I didn't connect with it as much as I would have liked. The artwork was okay, nothing too fancy. Overall, a great concept but perhaps a missed opportunity?
December 19, 2021
I was only going to give this 3 stars because I felt like it cut out a lot of the build up and relationship development of the original book that I loved so much but that's understandable given that such a big story had to be cut down for a graphic novel. At the end of the day though, it still made me cry like the original book did. It made me fall in love with Callum all over again and made me feel that heartbreak of losing the very first fictional character I ever really loved. It's kind of twisted to say that I loved that about it but I mean it in the best sense, it captured Callum and that's why I loved it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 24, 2020
Read this very quickly and was intrigued by the idea, but there were some flaws in this book. I'm sure the normal book is deeper but this felt a bit flat for me and it was weirdly paced. There were surely good part in here, but I don't think this story is the best in this particular form. The art also didn't do much for me honestly and since the style plays quite a role for my enjoyment, my enjoyment for the book became worse. Definitely a great concept for a story about race and oppression, but there was also something depressing about this. So yeah, a mediocre read.
September 4, 2023
This was the first time reading this book, and I did so in graphic novel form.
I found a copy of this in one of my local libraries and I was intrigued.
This book is so interesting and really makes you think.
Instead of blacks and whites, its noughts and crosses, but the crosses have the power in this dystopian world.
The message that comes across this book is so powerful, and at the end, honestly, I wasn't expecting it, and kept reading it over and over and being like what!!
I am intrigued to continue.
If you really like a book that makes you think, give this a read!
I found a copy of this in one of my local libraries and I was intrigued.
This book is so interesting and really makes you think.
Instead of blacks and whites, its noughts and crosses, but the crosses have the power in this dystopian world.
The message that comes across this book is so powerful, and at the end, honestly, I wasn't expecting it, and kept reading it over and over and being like what!!
I am intrigued to continue.
If you really like a book that makes you think, give this a read!
March 13, 2018
Didn’t know a single thing going into this but this graphic novel and plot as a whole were so much more than I usually expect from a graphic novel.Trigger warnings for many things so its best for mature and suitable readers but this dystopian society is like an opposite of today-the blacks are the superior ones while the whites are the inferior ones.So I wouldn’t say it challenges today’s society but rather shows me “do not do unto others what you don’t want to be done unto you”.
May 1, 2020
I read the book some time ago. I was really surprise of the effect the drawing have of the narration of the story. I more anger coming from the character.
I do have to say I read this book more than 10 years ago...the intake can be quite diferente when you are 14
I do have to say I read this book more than 10 years ago...the intake can be quite diferente when you are 14
September 1, 2018
Very simplified role reversal about racism. It does make me want to read the novel, though.
October 25, 2020
I've never read a graphic novel before. I enjoyed this, something different.
May 18, 2018
I am going to review this novel using my status update from 25% and my thoughts from 100%:
I. I need to read the novel!
100%: Honestly, I don't know if I want to now. I kind of want to see if the novel goes deeper but ugh I doubt it.
II. Does it deal with racism simplistically?
100%: Yes, I can not tell if this is in result of it being an adaptation of a novel.
A. It got messy when you have white characters who are supposed to represent black people doing certain things that do not feel representative of black people at any time period. By race swapping it stepped into messy things about black people because it was not a straight swap and somehow it feels like it made black people still the bad guys.
B. Direction of the plot. It started off with potential then slid off into being an average teen dystopia except without the revolutionary change the world aspect. At the core it felt like it did not say anything that isn't already known (but I'm coming from 2018 so the year that this was published, 2001, has to be taken into account).
III. Who is the audience for this story?
100%: I'm wondering if this is more of a commentary on non-American racism.
IV. Does the world built serve that purpose?
100%: A bigger question is what was the purpose of this story? Is it to teach about racism? Is it enough now in current day to teach about racism? I feel that there was a lost opportunity when the story could have gotten deeper into the insidious systematic impact of racism.
V. I like that the manga (i dont know if novel does this too) but it made a quick nod at well even in the racial hierarchy there is still a gender hierarchy (thinking about it there is a quiet undertone on gender)
100%: *Thor does it tho gif* Was there a quiet undertone or did it not exist at all? Or did the story have this quick nod and that's it? The feminist commentary felt like most of the rest of the story not enough if not even less than not enough. There is a few scenes of gender violence (among child abuse and just general violence) I do not know if it helped the story because it was not addressed. I will give it that quick nod said the most about feminism in racial conversations it gets forgotten nonetheless I cannot give the book points for itself pushing the feminism conversation to the back too.
I. I need to read the novel!
100%: Honestly, I don't know if I want to now. I kind of want to see if the novel goes deeper but ugh I doubt it.
II. Does it deal with racism simplistically?
100%: Yes, I can not tell if this is in result of it being an adaptation of a novel.
A. It got messy when you have white characters who are supposed to represent black people doing certain things that do not feel representative of black people at any time period. By race swapping it stepped into messy things about black people because it was not a straight swap and somehow it feels like it made black people still the bad guys.
B. Direction of the plot. It started off with potential then slid off into being an average teen dystopia except without the revolutionary change the world aspect. At the core it felt like it did not say anything that isn't already known (but I'm coming from 2018 so the year that this was published, 2001, has to be taken into account).
III. Who is the audience for this story?
100%: I'm wondering if this is more of a commentary on non-American racism.
IV. Does the world built serve that purpose?
100%: A bigger question is what was the purpose of this story? Is it to teach about racism? Is it enough now in current day to teach about racism? I feel that there was a lost opportunity when the story could have gotten deeper into the insidious systematic impact of racism.
V. I like that the manga (i dont know if novel does this too) but it made a quick nod at well even in the racial hierarchy there is still a gender hierarchy (thinking about it there is a quiet undertone on gender)
100%: *Thor does it tho gif* Was there a quiet undertone or did it not exist at all? Or did the story have this quick nod and that's it? The feminist commentary felt like most of the rest of the story not enough if not even less than not enough. There is a few scenes of gender violence (among child abuse and just general violence) I do not know if it helped the story because it was not addressed. I will give it that quick nod said the most about feminism in racial conversations it gets forgotten nonetheless I cannot give the book points for itself pushing the feminism conversation to the back too.
October 26, 2021
This excellent graphic novel is my first experience of Noughts and Crosses, I intend to read the original novel series that this is based on because I truly loved the character development and emotional integrity.
A fast paced story full of drama and intrigue, I'm looking forward to diving deeper into this world!
A fast paced story full of drama and intrigue, I'm looking forward to diving deeper into this world!
September 25, 2015
I am surprised that the adaptation was so alike to the story and this made The noughts and crosses graphic novel really intriguing.
Everything was incredibly alike and I did honestly rather enjoy it. I think that I couldn't be improved at all.
This is my first graphic novel and I think I will read more on the future I could say that this has made me a graphic novel reader.
The characters were a lot like how I had imagined them and it was lovely to not just imagine them but to see them. I think that this could really be adapted into a film as well because it just is so interesting.
My favourite character is Callum because I like Callum as he is a very diverse character. The ending really upsets me though but it tells such a wonderful story about two lovers that are in a world not allowing them to be together.
You could compare it to Romeo and Juliet but not as well. Some parts I think that it could but really it is different. It shows how people can really be and what people can go through. It was a really lovable story, it will always stay close to my heart.
I gave it five stars because loving the novel and them being so alike and managing to include all the interesting and important parts was amazing.
I recommend the novel and the graphic novel. Loved it...
Everything was incredibly alike and I did honestly rather enjoy it. I think that I couldn't be improved at all.
This is my first graphic novel and I think I will read more on the future I could say that this has made me a graphic novel reader.
The characters were a lot like how I had imagined them and it was lovely to not just imagine them but to see them. I think that this could really be adapted into a film as well because it just is so interesting.
My favourite character is Callum because I like Callum as he is a very diverse character. The ending really upsets me though but it tells such a wonderful story about two lovers that are in a world not allowing them to be together.
You could compare it to Romeo and Juliet but not as well. Some parts I think that it could but really it is different. It shows how people can really be and what people can go through. It was a really lovable story, it will always stay close to my heart.
I gave it five stars because loving the novel and them being so alike and managing to include all the interesting and important parts was amazing.
I recommend the novel and the graphic novel. Loved it...
January 31, 2016
'Noughts and Crosses' by Malorie Blackman follows the unlikely friendship of Callum and Sephy - a nought and a cross - in a world where noughts and crosses do not mix, let alone get along. Together they face a series of challenges, but they always come through them stronger - that is, until Callum's family becomes involved in a terrorist organisation, with a plan to bomb a shopping centre, and Callum and Sephy inadvertently become caught up in the madness. Can their relationship survive against all the odds?
This graphic novel is a beautiful representation of the critically acclaimed novel. There are obviously instances where explanations are avoided in this medium, and as a result some of the emotion is lost in translation. The art is simplistic, but I believe it should be, when the whole premise of the book is black and white. Overall it is still a fantastic adaptation of the book.
This graphic novel is a beautiful representation of the critically acclaimed novel. There are obviously instances where explanations are avoided in this medium, and as a result some of the emotion is lost in translation. The art is simplistic, but I believe it should be, when the whole premise of the book is black and white. Overall it is still a fantastic adaptation of the book.
November 6, 2016
The novel of Noughts and Crosses is honestly one of my favourites of all time, and this graphic novel adaptation is as close to perfect as you can get. This condenses the story of Callum and Sephy, living on opposite side of a race divide but a different one than we all know. The author switches the roles, making white people, the ‘noughts’, second class citizens, along with the black ‘crosses’, who run the country, run the media etc. The book borrows from real life events and places them in this context. I found the drawings very simplistic and easy to follow, and I am very fond of this version.
December 21, 2016
Avec son histoire universelle, et intemporelle, sur l'amour et la perte, le roman best-seller de Malorie Blackman remue beaucoup de sentiments et fait réfléchir sur le racisme, les inégalités et les persécutions. Son format en bande dessinée, tout en noir et blanc, lui redonne aussi un coup de jeunesse dans sa conquête d'une nouvelle génération de lecteurs, lesquels ne manqueront pas d'être émus par le couple mythique de Séphy et Callum !
December 14, 2017
I think I was unprepared going into this. The art style was great and the message was necessary but I found it a bit awkward that literally everyone other than the two main characters were awful people. It might say more about me than the book that i'm calling a novel dealing with racist themes too dark, but I found the grittiness unnecessarily exaggerated and over the top.
September 5, 2022
I absolutely loved it! I found the book very fast paced and enjoyed the storyline and relationship between Sephy and Callum.
This was my first graphic novel that I've read and definitely won't be my last.
This was my first graphic novel that I've read and definitely won't be my last.
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