Class: A Graphic Guide

by Laura Harvey, Sarah Leaney, Danny Noble (Illustrator)

What do we mean by social class in the 21st century?


University of Brighton sociologists Laura Harvey and Sarah Leaney and award-winning comics creator Danny Noble present an utterly unique, illustrated journey through the history, sociology and lived experience of class.

What can class tell us about gentrification, precarious work, the role of elites in society, or access to education? How have thinkers explored class in the past, and how does it affect us today? How does class inform activism and change?
A Graphic Guide challenges simplistic and stigmatising ideas about working-class people, discusses colonialist roots of class systems, and looks at how class intersects with race, sexuality, gender, disability and age. From the publishers of the bestselling A Graphic History, this is a vibrant, enjoyable introduction for students, community workers, activists and anyone who wants to understand how class functions in their own lives.

Genres: Nonfiction, Graphic Novels, History, Politics, Class, Social Justice, Sociology

317 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 4, 2022

About the author

Laura Harvey is an editor, writer, bibliophile, horsewoman, historian, teacher, debate coach, nerd, DIY junkie, and occasional rescuer of kittens. She holds a BA, MA, and is ABD, making her an exceptional asset in Trivial Pursuit. She loves reading so much that all of her handbags share one crucial ability: fitting a standard paperback or Kindle. She lives in northern California with a menagerie of beasts (dogs, cats, horses, and family members).

Reviews

[Rod Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

A boring and academic survey of the history and theories behind class systems, centered mostly on Western cultures and thinkers.

It calls itself "A Graphic Guide" and is shelved in my local library in the graphic novel section, but it is basically a PowerPoint presentation with giant slabs of typeset text at the top of each page and illustrations that generically reinforce the point of the text without really expanding on it. The pictures are basically disposable; the book could be published without them with little detriment. Heck, a good portion of the illustrations are just headshots of an endless stream of sociologists, philosophers, and academics next to bubbles that we are told a couple times in the book "should not be read as direct quotes or necessarily representative of their views." (So, sock puppets?)

What is the intended audience for this? The "Graphic Guide" would make one assume the authors were trying to reach a lay audience, but the writing is dry and dull. It alternates between assuming a certain level of knowledge in the audience and spending page after page defining individual terms like a textbook glossary section. At times it seems less concerned with the subject matter than in how many sociologists it can cite. I tallied 174 names in as many pages. Mike Savage wins for the most individual references, if you're wondering, with Beverley Skeggs and Wendy Bottero up there in the Pokémon rankings. Gotta catch 'em all!

There is some interesting information hiding in here, but I zoned out too frequently to really process or appreciate it.

[Brenda Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who isn't facinated by class? Theory. Real life experiences. Impacts. Harsh treatment. This educational approach breaks it into understandable concepts while making me obsessed for more. Where did class start? Why is it so hard to breakout of our assigned groups?
The long term, unimaginable impacts - concepts justified for eons.
Wonderful approach. Granting access to large concepts. Very well done.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic beginner's guide that is incredibly informative yet very accessible for beginners looking to learn more about class in the UK. Having studied class myself I was aware of the concept and theories, but still learned new things from different theorists and political case studies included in the book. The illustrations are great and really bring the theories and events to life. My only criticism would be of the length of Chapter 2. The content here is dense rather than digestible - however this could be because I powered through the chapter in one sitting! Those who take their time with it may not have this problem. Despite this, I would recommend to anyone looking to learn more and to anyone who believes class doesn't affect them--class is all around us, shapes our everyday lives and decision-making. The sooner more people see that the quicker we can act to improve the lives of working-class people and increase social mobility.

I will definitely be purchasing my own copy when it's released, as it's a great text to refer back to.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me a free e arc in exchange for an honest review.

[RocioST · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book for my personal 52 Book Challenge 2023 under the category “On class”.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Class: A Graphic Guide, as the name suggests, takes the reader through the introductory themes and ideas that relate to one's social class, how it affects people and how our modern discussions are shaped around this particular subject. The book is written in collaboration with two sociologists. Laura Harvey and Sarah Laney, both working for University of Brighton, their research focus while varied, relate to the essence of this introductory text. Harvey's research mainly focusing on exploring power and inequality through all aspects, while Laney's research focus on class living, its formation and place and identity relating to one's social class. I'm personally not familiar with the work of the illustrator Danny Noble, but from an initial google search it seems his main body of work is children's books.

The book takes its time to explain different topics in a single page, with illustrations to try and make the subject easier to digest. While also introducing the reader to core ideas from different sociologists who focus on them. Obviously, due to the length of the book, the authors couldn't go into much length and nuance of different author's views etc. So the book opts to summarise their research in little speech bubbles. This does let the reader give a few names for deeper research if they so desire it, but also does not overwhelm them with jargon.

The way the book is laid out, it feels like the book was intended for A-level students and first year university students wishing to start studying sociology. However, I think this is also very useful book to people trying to understand the topics that are debated today, either by politicians, TV personalities or in the online debate space, such as YouTube or TikTok. (Personally, I find TikTok to be a weird place for a debate platform, but that is what people mostly engage with at the moment, so that's where we are as a society) Perhaps, this is one of the strength of books like this. They give deeper meaning to what are effectively buzzwords in our modern climate.

One thing that I through was particularly interesting is the last chapter, where the authors pose questions to the reader, encouraging them to encourage with the material at hand, and also to encourage them of action themselves. This is especially important now, with the current Conservative government and Conservative race promising to undermine the unions at the expense of our worker's rights.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book, the illustrations and the tone of the book gives it that whimsical feeling without reducing the book to juvenile levels. I want to compare it to the whimsy of Horrible Histories with the illustrations, but without the jokes. I often found myself taking names down, taking notes or even writing about my own experience in response to some of the ideas discussed. I'd recommend this book to most people, especially if you want to study sociology as well as people who want to take a more active role in what is being discussed on TV and the different lines of thought that got us here in the first place.

[thewoollygeek (tea, cake, crochet & books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this, it’s such an interesting and intelligent way of looking at something that we don’t always think of, but affects every part of our lives sometimes even if we aren’t aware of it.

Class is part of society, all around the world even in places that insist they have no class system , they may not call it class , but a system is in place wherever you live that that shapes, gives opportunity and denies it, causes divisions. I loved the fact this did look at the issue globally and culturally.

This covers some of the most essential and basic tights to which affect your whole lives and of which class affects the quality and standard you will get, these are housing, education and employment. The most basic of needs (in addition to food and heating) that set your whole life chances from the very beginning and as current times are proving, will be set often by people who have access to the best of these things whilst depriving them to the people who need opportunity the most.

I loved the fact it also covers media influence and how this adds to and controls class, having ultimate access to media means you control what people see and even think at times, having no access means you aren’t represented, you won’t see what you want and also adds to cultural appropriation, the fact that BIPOC Film, TV and books are only beginning to become mainstream is key evidence of those having ultimate access to media setting the agenda.

This is such a great read, as someone very into politics, class, equal opportunity, feminism and full representation for all, not just the few, this spoke to me so much and I just think it’s fantastic and should be in schools and libraries (for the education most governments don’t want people to have - how society really works)

Thanks to Random Things Tours, Icon books, Laura Harvey, Sarah Leaney and Danny Noble. Fr full disclosure I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review, all opinions expressed are my own and freely given.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super helpful introduction to the concept and theories around class, written by sociologists. Essential reading at this time in UK politics, especially if you haven't come across this way of thinking before.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss.

[Alfred Nobile · Rating 3 out of 5]

An engaging graphic nonfiction foray into the minefield that is class throughout the world. More on the blog tour. Link in my profile.

[june3 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just okay.
Less about class and more about sociologists who have studied it.

[Terri (BooklyMatters) · Rating 5 out of 5]

What do you get when you take two articulate and learned sociologists, an astoundingly-clever cartoonist, and a desire to spread knowledge, awareness and a ray of hope concerning an eternally-challenging social structure - one that, in and of itself, perhaps more than any other construct, may be responsible for everything from the gross levels of victimization perpetuated by slavery and colonialism, to society’s rampant and insidious marginalization of others based on race, economic or social standing, sex, gender, and/or disabilities.

“Class - A Graphic Guide” is a beautifully illustrated, broadly sweeping look at what has been defined as “Class”, an idea or concept we humans made up, and now use somewhat-unconsciously-and-completely-unreservedly, to classify other humans, - arbitrarily finding some of them wanting, and thus deserving of some level of enforced inequality in our expectations, care or treatment (mis-treatment).

Rich in detail, the scope of this book expands to cover: what “Class” is and how it materializes; the important contributors (Sociologists, Philosophers, Psychologists) to thinking about Class divides and its impact; the historical context governing the birth and continuance of class structures (including eugenics and the horrors of genocide it can lay claim to) ; Capitalism, Neoliberalism and the contribution of both politics and media to the perpetuation of class divisions; Land and Housing impacts, from “enclosures” (the seizing of formerly common lands and associated resources) to privatization, migrancy, vagrancy and homelessness; and finally, the contributions of both Culture, and Education to what are perceived as “Class” divisions.

A complex and intricate web of contributing, co-existing and resulting factors, all of which are unpacked in this volume with clarity and precision, in a format that is as fun to read as it is informative.

Lushly comprehensive, this book is a beautifully-packaged treatise on an important (and fascinating) subject, - one that will appeal to students, activists, thinkers, and quite literally, anyone with an interest in, and desire to, understand what it would take to inspire successful social change in a world riddled with the effects of a virulent and long-imagined evil.

My stop today on the @RandomTTours #blogtour for #Class

A great big thank you to the authors, and the publisher for an ARC of this book. All thoughts presented are my own.

[KathVBtn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The blurb:
University of Brighton sociologists Laura Harvey and Sarah Leaney and award-winning comics creator Danny Noble present an utterly unique, illustrated journey through the history, sociology and lived experience of class.

What can class tell us about gentrification, precarious work, the role of elites in society, or access to education? How have thinkers explored class in the past, and how does it affect us today? How does class inform activism and change?

Class: A Graphic Guide challenges simplistic and stigmatising ideas about working-class people, discusses colonialist roots of class systems, and looks at how class intersects with race, sexuality, gender, disability and age. From the publishers of the bestselling Queer: A Graphic History, this is a vibrant, enjoyable introduction for students, community workers, activists and anyone who wants to understand how class functions in their own lives.
My review – 5/5 stars! I don’t normally read non-fiction so this was a departure from the norm for me and one that I really enjoyed, giving me so much to think about and digest. The book provides fascinating sociological perspectives on the huge societal issues that shape and divide our world, looking at it from various cultures and historical viewpoints (which was very refreshing to see, a big step forward since the time that I studied Sociology!)
The book is divided into three main themes which span ten chapters; these include mapping change and ideas over time; analysing class in different spheres and current debates about class all brought to life by fantastic line drawn illustrations from Danny Noble. There are some huge topics addressed in a simple but non-patronising way, housing, education, employment, media influence – it isn’t seeking to give an answer to societal issues but holds a mirror up to all of the different ways that the world we live in might be constructed and deconstructed.
I think this is going to be such a useful book for sociology/ social science students in particular but everyone would get something out of reading it.

[Alex Townley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a confusing topic for me and I must admit to being ignorant of many of the people and examples discussed in the book. However, that only means it is all the more useful, as this guide serves as an introduction to many of the key figures and important concepts surrounding the topic of Class.

I did find the two different art styles a little difficult to get into, but I enjoyed that it was illustrated and this helped with some of the harder to understand pieces. Overall I think it's really accessible, and beginners like myself can learn a lot from this book. It's the sort of work you'd probably need to dip in and out of, rather than read cover to cover - at least, I found that for myself, as some topics need some time for thought and mulling over!

I really like that this line of books is becoming more popular (I've enjoyed the multiple Queer/LGBTQ+ versions by different authors in a similar style) as I think it reaches a much wider audience and injects a bit of fun into what could be a dry or difficult subject. I'd certainly recommend to friends who are interested in this kind of thing, but I think I personally need to read it a bit more to gain those real insights

Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for this ARC - all opinions here are my own, honest, and freely given.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of interesting information here, but reading it is a bit of a slog. It’s a bit like reading an A student’s outline from a sociology course. It did provide a lot of food for thought, like that because the rich one-percenters who control everything do nothing for the poor working class, so whenever there is some kind of acknowledgment of racism/sexism/homophobia/ableism (a.k.a. affirmative action policies), White working class push back against it because they feel forgotten. Sure, they are super racist/sexist/xenophobic/homophobic/etc. too! But they are also jealous, even if whatever action is taken to undo discriminatory practices is laughably paltry when compared to the injustice.

Of course, the rich think that there is nothing wrong with our social systems because they are working as they intended: maintaining the status quo. The myth of the meritocracy keeps some deluded. Interesting to think that perhaps social class should be a protected status, just like minority groups because of how little movement there is between the classes. There are few safety nets and in fact, many would like to see more social programs stripped away and greater inequality and a return to the Dark Ages when the rich controlled everything: the resources, the government and the gods.

We should probably start building some guillotines.

[anarresa · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a useful outline, or footnotes, to then look into sociological history of class in Britain (where the authors seem to be based) and America (which is related, so included.) The small amount of text very briefly describes a sociologist's or economist's field of study. In one or two sentences, that's how brief. There is usually an edited quote and a drawing of the researcher (probably my favorite part, very nice.) That's it. Then we move on. Most of the page is illustrations, and while occasionally they can take the place of some words (certainly not worth 1,000) they are often used as clip art across multiple sections. That can make connections across different thinkers, but those connections could have been made so much clearer. Pages weren't drawn individually, the illustrations were copy-pasted and resized so the lines were of different weight across and within pages. It looked lazy.
The structure of the book reminds me of elementary school aged books, but the ideas here seem at least high school, probably college (so much Marx.) If you are curious about the subject but have no idea where to begin this can give you some names to look into further... though not in it's own bibliography, another obvious lack in this book. Mostly I would recommend skipping the book, though not necessarily the authors entirely.

[Georgia Zevs · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great starting point to understanding key thinkers and ideas of class, and how our social structures developed. Don't go in thinking it's a comprehensive bible - it is a summary and can point you in the right direction for further research. There are parts of it that will be useful for explaining context for texts to students, as well as basic ideas to support further study. There are moments when it feels like a collection of vignettes/ slightly disjointed, rather than having a coherent thread that runs through it, although I suppose that when you are making a collection of different thinkers that is bound to happen.
I also really like the aesthetic/design of the book and the fact that the last chapter asks questions to make the reader reflect on their own position and how they would apply different views of class, which is a nebulous concept anyway.
I read another review here that pejoratively accuses this book of being woke ... the origin of the term is about being awake to social injustice and structural inequality. So yes, it is woke - I'd be worried about reading a book about class that wasn't.

[Vivienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘What do we mean by social class in the 21st century?’

My thanks to Icon Books for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘Class: a Graphic Guide’ by Laura Harvey and Sarah Leaney, illustrated by Danny Noble.

University of Brighton sociologists Harvey and Leaney have created this unique, illustrated journey through the history, sociology and lived experience of class.

They address aspects of life affected by class that hadn’t occurred to me, such as clothing, choice of films, and other indicators which aren’t so obvious as how you make your living or your family history. The book also helped me understand how the meaning and usage of certain words has changed over time.

I found this a thought provoking book and felt that using cartoon images to complement the text helped to make these often complex ideas more accessible. I will admit that some of the material still went over my head.

Overall, a witty way to communicate sociological concepts about social class to readers. I certainly felt that I had improved my understanding of the subject from reading ‘Class: a Graphic Guide’.

[Theediscerning · Rating 3 out of 5]

While one problem with this book may have been that it tended to the uber-woke, it's only in the last pages that it veers that way, thankfully. But by the end we are supposed to find fault with any decision, club, society, status or construct that makes us us – including checking our musical choices to make sure no Big Company is misappropriating what was someone else's beforehand (chances are, they are). No, the larger problems are that that is pretty dry, and beat me in its second chapter, discussing thoughts of previous sociologists. I needed a much better helping hand through that section, if not more. I ended with the opinion that this thinks it's a GCSE book, but it's for A- and AS-level sociology students. Certainly, it remains the fact a certain comedy sketch tells all you need to know about class. Although I don't look down on this too nastily.

[Joy Corkery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally published here: https://joyfulantidotes.com/2022/09/0...

I come from Ireland where class labels are rarely used, so I felt like I never knew much about class. Also, I find non-fiction books to be sometimes overwhelming. A graphic novel was the perfect way to learn more on this topic.

Class made the topic easy to understand and broke large theories into more digestible chunks. The writing was simple and it was easy to grasp the overall topic. Besides gaining lots of new information, this book made me reconsider class, how I previously thought about it. It helped me open my eyes to class and how it is infiltrated into more parts of life than I originally thought.

If you are interested in learning more about class, you can’t go wrong with this book.

[Kidlitter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Essential reading, on a topic that most Americans avoid discussing. Sociologists Harvey and Leaney with Noble's arresting artwork, prod us to expand our notions of social difference, economic disparity, gender bias, racial reductionism and cultural values in the 21st century. Does this sound fascinating - it is and will provide real moments of insight. I had to have a good hard think about colonialism and my own family's role as both oppressor - Australian land owners! Anglo-Canadian middle class! and victim - Scottish peasantry! and current status as Jewish and Wasp American bourgeoisie - I think? And that's just a sliver of the unpacking in this witty, harsh, enlightening book.

[Bob Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun and engaging book, taking a broad range of theories and movements and drawing a narrative across them in a way that felt accessible and informative.

It's impressive how much is covered in a short space, and especially how various intersecting identities are also covered within class, and how thinkers from outside the English-speaking world are considered.

I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Astrid · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anderthalb Jahre lag das "illustrierte Handbuch" zu Klasse und ich habe immer mal wieder ein Stück gelesen. Ich bin mir nicht sicher, ob ich viel davon mitgenommen habe - ich mag den Ansatz, das Thema von verschiedensten Seiten zu beleuchten und unterschiedlichste Theoretiker*innen zu Wort kommen zu lassen. Und die Zeichnungen sind sehr süß und cool. Aber der große Aha-Effekt hat sich nicht eingestellt.

[Karen Hammond · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took a long while for me to complete this book as the digital copy I was given to review was terrible, the formatting was almost illegible. and did the author no favours. That said, I did enjoy the book , a whistle stop tour of the ideas behind class ,with illustrations to explain. One I would buy in the future.

[Rhiannon Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

A useful introduction to sociological research and ideas about class, which takes care to present a range of views and challenges to them. Still pretty technical and conceptual - the pictures help with explaining but do not make it particularly more accessible than a basic textbook.

[Tuscany Bernier · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book!

It is very text-heavy for a graphic novel, honestly, thus why I removed a star. However, I loved how accessible they made conversations about class for people who want to know about what well-educated people mean when they discuss economic class concepts.

[Matthew Noe]

Booklist review pending

[Blane]

Lost interest.

[Stefan Szczelkun · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Graphic Guide casts a wide net on the subject of class - one that leans towards sociology. It includes the contemporary theories and approaches to class AND the related discourses, including assorted concepts like: intersectionality, disability, gift giving, multiculturalism, celebrities, prefigurative politics and even universal basic income.
Once you have cast your net that wide it is hard to go back and give the assembled ark a linear structure as there are too many complex webs of interconnection. However, it still works as an introduction to social class and I noticed quite a few names I hadn’t heard before. Approached as a ‘graphic guide’ with a magazine-like non-linear reading, enlivened by the fabulous graphics, it works especially well for readers who are put-off by the stodgy appearance of many academic tomes filled with flat soul destroying verbiage. The haystack of stimulating short, illustrated introductions, might be perfect for a many people thinking about class for the first time and looking for a place to dive in. Having been the author of a scrapbook ‘of basic life supports’ in the early Seventies I’m hardly the person to rate this structure as a bad thing. Along with the lively graphics style it will hopefully stimulate people’s own thinking. In a way it even demands it - trying to keep such a diversity of barely name-checked authors in mind will otherwise lead to an unholy mental stew. If I were still a seminar lecturer in Communication Studies I’d love it: “Choose a page, look up the writing of the authority suggested in the library and report back next week.”

“I believe social status in Britain is more strongly inherited than height.” Gregory Clark, p.67 Graphic and quote

However, I don’t think the book will work so well for students in the Arts and Humanities. As an artist and cultural worker I naturally zoned in on Chapter 5: ‘Culture’, only to find the subject seemed to fizzle out after three pages. Although it did pop up later with page headings of ‘cultural appropriation’ p.112; clothes and music pp.120 and 121; and ‘the cultural turn’ on p.138. I can’t see this being enough to grab the interest of people studying arts and humanities. In spite of the inclusive approach, the many discourses about class that are outside of the canon of class theory or the sphere of sociology and media studies inevitably get short shrift.
It’s tempting to say this book avoids the idea of class as an oppression, but there are page headings of ‘Disgust’ quoting Steph Lawler and Imogen Taylor (who wrote 'Stigma: the machinery of inequality’) on p.103; ‘Hidden Injuries’ quoting Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett of ‘The Spirit Level’ fame, mention ‘feelings of shame’ on p.126; ‘Class and Emotion’ quotes Annette Kuhn, Yusef Bakkali and Valerie Hey on p.128/9, and the work of Valerie Walkerdine and Helen Lucey, is mentioned on p.127. Also the rejection of working class identity in order to feel ‘respectable’, Beverley Skeggs, p.141, seems like the result of oppression but the authors call it “the result of class processes’. Read together one could derive quite a bit on class as a systematic oppression - if we define oppression as the systematic devaluation and psychosomatic injury of one group by a more powerful group. However, this would be a challenging task for any student.

“Disgust presents working -class people as abhorrent and as foundational ‘other’ to a middle-class existence that is silently marked as normal and desirable.” Steph Lawler. p.103

The importance of graphic books to ‘Widening Participation’ in education should be noted against a background of the general devaluation of ‘picture books’ as ‘not serious reading’ in academia. Barbara Stafford traces this prejudice back to the C17th when she shows that there was a lively visual pedagogy in her book ‘Artful Science: enlightenment entertainment and the eclipse of visual education’ (1994). Picture books were then gradually associated with children and the illiterate. This graphic guide format renders a book on class accessible to a wider readership. [ https://stefan-szczelkun.blogspot.com... ]
I read the book for a second time and had a light bulb moment. This was not just an introduction to the study of social class for undergraduates, it was also, probably the first extensive survey of the many (mostly) living researchers working on class studies today. So, a more ambitious and significant undertaking than I had first appreciated. Perhaps it will lead to more thinking and critique of this field as a whole, with all that implies.
Full review published in 'Subjectivity' Journal https://trebuchet.public.springernatu...

[Randy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is very high level treatment of an important subject, but provides enough references for the ones who want to explore in more depth.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an e-ARC (advanced readers copy)of this book from NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

This is intended as an illustrated introduction to the sociological arguments surrounding class. I have never studied sociology myself, though I have encountered class a as a theme in my historical study. However, even with that background, I found this rather difficult to digest.

Possibly, it would be better used as a reference book to dip in and out of than trying to read cover-to-cover, as while it is written approachably with useful examples and case studies, it did feel more like an illustrated shopping list of all the academic themes and concepts one should know when approaching the topic. From Marx to bell hooks and everyone in between, this felt like a whistle stop tour of a massive lecture series.

There were two main illustration styles, one more realistic to illustrate the theorists, philosophers, and sociologists that wrote the theories, and one more cartoonistic style to illustrate scenarios and examples. I actually found the former a bit jarring - when they weren’t labelled, I wasn’t able to tell who was supposed to be who, and some of them had features that were bizarrely out of proportion. For a style that was trying to be realistic, it felt incongruous. The cartoons, however, were very useful in distilling down the text to make it more obvious.