Ghost World - A Graphic Novel Review

Good day fellow readers! Yes, this is yet another review for a graphic novel.  What I have for you today is still regarded as a modern-day cult favorite: Ghost World, by Daniel Clowes.  Having seen the movie already, admittedly one of my top favorites of all time to be quite honest, I was relieved to have finally been graced with this graphic novel's presence, of which said movie is based.  Ghost World cannot simply be assessed by any basic generalization.  Most graphic novels can, however not all of them, and this is one that honestly cannot.  This point isn't a negative one however, as often we'll find that such slight complications can add just the right flavors to the stew pot.  Such is the case with Ghost World.

 

The book's title can be taken in many ways, though literally isn't one of them.  Symbolically is perhaps the most applicable manner of which I've found appropriates it.  Here you have two teenage girls, Enid and Becky, in an undisclosed suburb during the early-to-mid 1990's.  These girls are basically just struggling to survive the last years of their youth, in a world where they're made to feel as invisible presences, or ghosts, if you will.  From everyday teen angst, to misguided rebellion, and even with moments of confused emotional states, Enid and Becky take us through a rather brief time frame within the confines of their daily lives.

These girls are more than best friends, as we often find of ourselves and our own relationships during that time of our youth, they are more as sisters.  I honestly won't even begin to attempt the futile measure of describing either of these girls to you, as neither is anywhere near simplistic enough to do so.  Both are complicated and diverse in such a manner of which basic adjectives can find no home.  Instead, allow me a brief moment of observation.

• Enid is emotional at times, overthrown by resentment toward her peers, yet she loves with reckless abandon.  She's vulgar and crass, yet loving and afraid.  She dresses with class and yet somehow manages also to force her way into the world, welcome or not.

• Becky is almost the total polar opposite of Enid, yet she also at times is more abrasive and crass than she, more-often-than-not alienating Enid without reserve or caring recognition.

In a typical crush-triangle (can't really say it's a love triangle per-se) scenario, these two girls not only share almost everything else in their lives with one-another, but also their apparent interest in a particular teen boy as well.  Generally speaking, the graphic novel and the movie are vastly different.  I enjoyed the movie much greater than I did the book, however the book is also an entity all it's own, and I do show due respect to that.  Perhaps the now a major motion picture badge on the front cover is a tad misleading, as it should more make mention of the word adaptation, being as the two components are not wholly one-and-the-same.  In fact, the movie features such major story arcs not present in the book, enough so that it gives the appearance that the two are parallel stories intertwined and yet separate.  Until introduced to both components, the viewer won't know that the two parallel storylines coexist, however once one observes the full capacity of both, it all makes more sense.

There is quite a bit of vulgarity throughout, as well as many other typical coming-of-age elements, just as one would expect to see in a story of this caliber.  That being said, it still has the apparent feel of Clowes' not having a full grip and understanding of what these girls would really be doing and especially feeling.  Being that he is a male, such things are to be expected, as we cannot fully understand what goes on in a female of any age's mind or heart.  With that said, after having read this book, I believe that Clowes definitely captures as much relativity as is humanly possible from such a perspective as his.  I say bravo for Daniel Clowes and his portrayal of 1990's-era youth of both genders.  I've lived through this era, as it is my generation, and for the setting I believe Clowes has captured these girls' lives as accurately as is possible.

Be aware that this book is most definitely a mature read, as when I use the words crass and vulgar, I mean it very strongly.  Taking note of such, I still say that I recommend this book, with one catch.  When one is to venture forth on the journey of reading this graphic novel, one must also accompany it afterward with the motion picture, for it is essential for understanding the whole story and is great subject matter for comparison.

Until next time folks, keep on reading, I know I will.

Title: Ghost World
Author: Daniel Clowes
Illustrator: Daniel Clowes
Publisher: Fantagraphics Books, Thompson & Groth
TPB ISBN: 1-56097-427-3
TPB UPC: 9781560974277
Price: $11.95 USD