Never too Late to Read Classics discussion

Once again, as we did with Beowulf, during May and June we'll be reading a graphic novel adaptation of a classic work. To Kill a Mockingbird: A Graphic Novel adapts the classic novel by Harper Lee into the graphic form with illustrations by Fred Fordham. The original novel was voted #1 during PBS's The Great American Read in 2018. Many of us already know this story because of being a very popular classic novel or simply because school required us to read it. NTLTRC invites you to experience it in a new way via graphic novel!

(If your library has Overdrive for ebooks, check if the library owns it or see about recommending it for purchase. It is available on Overdrive, a very common library source for ebooks.)

I think like most people, I read Harper Lee’s famous novel when I was relatively young — as best I can recall, probably during the 70s. When I re-read To Kill A Mockingbird a few years ago, I have to say that my admiration for it dimmed a tiny bit. I still think that it’s a very good — perhaps even a great — American novel. But the book is a product of its time. What was once deemed progressive may strike a reader with more modern eyes as somewhat paternalistic. Let me emphasize that I’m not indicting the book for its views on race relations; I'm merely taking note of the fact that sensibilities in such matters tend to shift over time.

That said, what do I think of this graphic adaptation of Lee’s book? I have some problems with it, but overall it’s a good effort. There’s quite a bit to like here. Fred Fordham’s illustrations of the town of Maycomb and its surroundings are a strong point. I think my favorite illustration is the one depicting Dill, Scout, and Jem sitting by Miss Rachel’s fishpool at night with the observer point of view being underneath the surface of the pool. I was less impressed with the artist’s depictions of people, particularly their facial expressions, which come across as uniformly bland and uninformative. I think this hurts the graphic novel to some extent. As an example, in the 1962 film adaptation, the hatred and seething resentment of Bob Ewell (well played by James Anderson) practically leaps off of the screen. Little of that comes across in Fordham’s illustrations of Ewell; the text has to do the heavy lifting when it comes to conveying or explaining the emotions of the novel’s characters.

What about the text in general? In Fordham’s afterword he notes that “the text is, as far as has been possible, directly taken from the novel” and that any changes “have been made for the sole purpose of best representing the story...in this medium”. I have some qualms on this point. After reading the adaptation, my feeling, which may surprise some, is that it might have been better had Fordham been less faithful to the words of the original author. I say this because on more than one occasion Fordham struggles to meld text to illustration; to be more precise, there were times when I only clearly understood the meaning or implication of a textual passage because I had read the book.

On the whole, I enjoyed this graphic novel. Thanks to the person who nominated it.

✭✭✭½

I'll be reading this. I just put it on hold from my library.

I appreciate your insights, Canavan. I read Harper Lee's novel in high school in about 1973. We also watched the film in that English class. I've never wanted to read the book again because I had so many feelings about it at the time. I thought this graphic novel would be a good way of revisiting the novel.

Kathy said (in part): I thought this graphic novel would be a good way of revisiting the novel.

Yes, I thought this graphic adaptation was an excellent way of revisiting the Harper Lee book.

There also exists a very good audio version of the original book, narrated by Sissy Spacek.

Thanks for your insight on the graphic novel, Canavan. I recommended the ebook for purchase with my library, so I’ll see for myself soon most likely.

I've finished To Kill a Mockingbird: A Graphic Novel and rated it 4 stars. I won the book from this group and I appreciate that.

As Canavan said above, I'm not sure if I would understand the story if I hadn't read the book first. But I enjoyed his artwork very much, especially when the scenes take place after dark. Those scenes were very beautiful.

Your more than welcome Kathy!
I am glad you enjoyed it.

Good to hear you enjoyed it, Kathy. I downloaded it from Overdrive the other day and need to read it. I haven’t read the original book since 8th grade.

I finished this today. It is only the third graphic novel that I have read (others being Beowulf and Jane Eyre), but I am appreciating the opportunity to use the graphic novels as a way to further engage with the text. I read To Kill a Mockingbird 20 years ago so it was a good revisit, especially as I am hoping to read Go Set a Watchman soon.

Been about 20 years for me as well, Marie. I just started the graphic this evening. As other have noted, the illustrations are beautiful. I love the type of artwork used.

I’m glad you’re enjoying reading classics adapted into graphic form! Working at a library at a time when graphic novels are becoming increasingly popular, I see a lot of children and teens check out graphic classics.

Marie and Kathy both of you have read the original and find the Graphic an interesting way to revisit. Glad you enjoyed this read.

Samantha it is great to know that the teens are exploring Classics this way!

I have read the original and watched theatrical performances as well as the 1962 movie so I feel I have seen it from a few angles. I think graphic novels are a fantastic way to get a new generation into books and classics which do need to find voices they can relate to. I am looking to check that version out for myself too but I do love the originals!

I finished the book tonight and did really enjoy the graphic. The main pieces of the story I remembered from years ago, but the hows and whys escaped me. It was a great way to recap the original book, although of course shortened. The artwork suited the historical feel of the events in my view.

Has anyone had a chance to read through this colorful adaptation of the classic novel during June? If so, what did you think? What about thoughts on graphic classics in general?

Samantha asked: What about thoughts on graphic classics in general?

I generally enjoy graphic novels, but (and I know this will seem all too obvious) my appreciation of a given graphic novel depends in large measure on the skills of the illustrator. Especially when the work in question involves the adaptation of a previously-written book, it’s critical that the artwork capture the “feel” of that original book.

For anyone who is interested, I have a quick graphic novel recommendation. Monsieur Lambert was written by Jean-Jacques Sempé in 1965 (but was only translated into English in 2006). The short work takes place entirely within the confines of a French cafe over a period of weeks and involves the rather repetitious conversations of its patrons. I’m sure I’ve made this piece sound incredibly boring, but the message it imparts is one I found simultaneously wistful and yet hopeful. Sempé is well known in his native France, less so in the U.S., although some U.S. readers may recognize his distinctive style: His art has appeared over the decades on numerous covers of The New Yorker. Here is an example from the March 1, 1982 issue:

Beautiful cover! Monsieur Lambert is available at my library which makes me happy.

I do recognize that type of artwork, Canavan. Yes, I agree that the quality of graphic adaptations of classic works are largely dependent on the illustrations capturing the original story well. Some may feel more rushed while others give a good pictorial telling of the work.