Swallow Me Whole

Nate Powell, Swallow Me Whole, Top Shelf Productions, 2008, unpaged

Summary: Introducing a new type of graphic novel, this story of a young adults struggle with schizophrenia and dissociative disorder is raw and real. Ruth’s fascination with insects is clear from the beginning of this picture heavy story. Ruth is very close with her stepbrother who is also controlled by a wizard who makes him draw. Through the whole novel there is the constant struggle of dealing with their elderly grandmother who is slowly losing her sense of the present. The climax occurs when Ruth steals a frog from the museum she is volunteering at and is convinced that she did not do it.

Evaluation: The struggle that Ruth endures throughout the whole novel is confusing at times. The way the novel is written is free flowing with the intent the reader doesn’t catch all that is being said. Often words will seem to drift out of ‘earshot’ giving the reader a feeling of disconnect. I feel that young adults will relate more with this novel than one may think. The content is suitable for those young adults with a more mature taste and I even felt at times to not completely understand the true impact of what was happening.

Annotation: I didn’t take the frog, but somehow I have the frog.

Significance of Book: This topic is one that there is not a lot written about and the format is a unique way of presenting issues to patrons.

Genre/subject: fiction, graphic novel, teenage schizophrenia, family

Awards:

National:

• SLJ Best Adult Books for High School Students: 2009
• Will Eisner Best Graphic Album: New: 2009

Why I selected the book: I wanted to read an adult book that many young adults are also reading. I selected this book because of the unique circumstance.

Price: $19.95