Review: Blankets by Craig Thompson

Written by Niha Hasan

“𝘞𝘦 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘢 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘣𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘪𝘨𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘱𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘴 𝘶𝘱 𝘢 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘺. 𝘞𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥𝘯'𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬? “- 𝐶𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑔 𝑇ℎ𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑠𝑜𝑛

#blankets #bookreview #graphicnovel #relationships

Rating: 5/5

This story starts with a concentration on the relationship between Craig and his younger brother, Phil. They are crowded uncomfortably into a single bed and both are unhappy about it. To be honest, this is the best part of this book. A moment between two brothers, sharing their sibling bond. On the other hand, later in the book, the book becomes even more sad when the reader learns that Craig is continuously tortured by bullies at school, including being beaten up on a regular basis. In addition, a male babysitter sexually abuses both brothers.

One winter, Craig goes to Bible camp and he meets Raina, a beautiful girl from Michigan. At first, the reader feels excited for Craig and this newfound relationship. After camp ends, Raina and Craig quickly become closer, and they continue their relationship through sending love letters and frequent phone calls. Craig even stays with Raina's family in Michigan for two weeks. They become very dear to each other during their stay together, and Raina gives Craig a blanket she made for him, hence the title of the book “Blankets.” After Craig returns home, Raina tragically breaks things off. Afterwards, Craig sets about destroying everything Raina ever gave him, only leaving the blanket unharmed. The symbolism of the blanket relates to both Craig’s relationship with his brother and Raina, as both intimate relationships involved that piece of bedding and imagery of comfort and vulnerability.

By the end of the story, Craig moves away from home to make a life of his own. But, does he move on from Raina? And, why doesn’t he destroy the blanket? What is in it for him? These questions of sorrow, growing up, and having relationships plague the reader after finishing the novel.

Overall, I think that “Blankets” is a beautiful autobiographical graphic novel that is so deeply touching. As an autobiography, the author shares his relationships with his younger brother, his first love Raina, and religion with the readers so that they can reflect on their own.