This is a book that had been recommended to me by many people, and I finally got a chance to read it recently. The book has won enough acclaim that it doesn't need me to pile on, but as someone who doesn't read a lot of graphic works, I was struck at how essential the "graphic-ness" (?!) was to telling the story. I'm not sure the book would have been as effective if it was only told with words, but Bechdel's chosen medium is potent and convincing. The book itself is rich and displays Bechdel's erudition and love of literature. I went in thinking this would be a book that I would respect, and came out loving it.