fiainros reviewed Monster by Walter Dean Myers
Review of 'Monster' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
Before reading this graphic novel, I checked out [b:Monster|44184|Monster|Walter Dean Myers|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1404962824s/44184.jpg|1386643] by Walter Dean Myers from the library. Monster came out in 1999 and I had never read it. Since this was an adaptation, I wanted to read the source material first.
The novel is written in the form of a film. The graphic novel depicts the shots described in the novel, which saves some reading time. Although, if you weren't aware of what was going on, you might not realize that the framing of the panels is a direct translation of the book. I wish the graphic novel had also put in the images that the book uses in some way.
I appreciated that the graphic novel clarified some pieces I had not understood or missed in the novel. It also presented a few scenes with a different understanding than I had. In one case, it drastically changes the …
Before reading this graphic novel, I checked out [b:Monster|44184|Monster|Walter Dean Myers|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1404962824s/44184.jpg|1386643] by Walter Dean Myers from the library. Monster came out in 1999 and I had never read it. Since this was an adaptation, I wanted to read the source material first.
The novel is written in the form of a film. The graphic novel depicts the shots described in the novel, which saves some reading time. Although, if you weren't aware of what was going on, you might not realize that the framing of the panels is a direct translation of the book. I wish the graphic novel had also put in the images that the book uses in some way.
I appreciated that the graphic novel clarified some pieces I had not understood or missed in the novel. It also presented a few scenes with a different understanding than I had. In one case, it drastically changes the meaning of the scene from Steve's point of view. I prefer to go with my understanding.
The graphic novel presents Monster quite well. If a reader preferred graphic novels to novels, it would be an okay substitute. However, the interesting manner in which the original novel is written is worth the read. I suggest reading both, if possible since neither is a very long read.
