Swallow Me Whole (Hardcover)

by Nate Powell (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Indy comic artist Powell, an Eisner-nominee, works full time with adults with developmental disabilities, which may have been an inspiration for Swallow Me Whole, a stand-alone graphic novel about two teenage stepsiblings with psychological problems. Ruth suffers from obsessive compulsive disorder and thinks she can hear insects speak, making it difficult for her to walk across grassy lawns but landing her a sweet internship in the natural history museum. Perry sometimes sees a tiny wizard who speaks to him about his destiny, which would be cute if this were a fantasy comic; instead, it's sadly tragic since Perry recognizes the wizard as nothing more than a troublesome hallucination. It should be obvious from the start that things will not end well. Dark inks and elongated whispering word balloons carry us into Ruth's world of voices and missing time, while experimental paneling masterfully conveys the characters' inner worlds and altered states. Powell's ultimate message remains unclear: is this a cautionary tale reminding ill teens to take their medication(s)? Or should we take a hopeful message away from Ruth's tragic story, knowing that one need not give in completely to one's delusions? (Oct.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From School Library Journal
Grade 10 Up—Powell has created a complex tale of two adolescent step-siblings struggling through the usual angst and discovery that occur during the teenage years. However, for Ruth and Perry, mental illness makes this time even more difficult. Ruth, who is at the center of the story, suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder and patterns of schizophrenia. Infatuated with insects, she keeps collections of them in jars in her room and is constantly arranging and rearranging them. She hallucinates that masses of insects surround her and fears stepping on any living thing. For Ruth, the simplest tasks present huge challenges. Perry fights his own demon as he tries to rid himself of a small wizard who persistently appears and makes him draw. The author's treatment of mental illness is realistic and sensitive. Readers are brought into the experiences of the characters and empathize with them. The relationships Ruth and Perry have with each other and with other family members are honest and lovingly portrayed. Every word in this graphic novel is carefully chosen, dialogue is realistic, and background "noise" masterfully done. Powell's detailed pen-and-ink drawings are well executed with lettering and images so brilliantly intertwined that they are one and the same. While the complexity and subject matter of Swallow Me Whole will not appeal to everyone, those teens who pick it up will discover a poignant story.—Lara McAllister, Halifax Public Libraries, Nova Scotia
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 216 pages
• Publisher: Top Shelf Productions; illustrated edition edition (October 29, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1603090339
• ISBN-13: 978-1603090339
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #486,784 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #90 in

  Books > Parenting & Families > Family Relationships > Stepparenting & Blended Families

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sensitive, baffling narration, December 22, 2008

By	wiredweird "wiredweird" (Earth, or somewhere nearby) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)

Powell does it again: a low-key but sensitive narration, characters to care about, and strong, expressive drawing. As in other of his stories, Powell addresses the hormone-lashed insanity of teen years. This time he adds a complex family situation, though not as complex as some you might have seen, and another element: incipient schizophrenia. We don't see enough of Ruth's story to know how it ends. Schizophrenia can be a tragic, debilitating disease or, with modern treatment, just another medical condition to manage. Even if we don't see how Ruth's life plays out, we care. Powell really makes it easy to care about this bright, principled young woman.

The art in this black and white comic spans a range of styles. Powell uses the whole range of light and dark to convey the sense of each moment. His linework handles each scene well, too, from schoolroom tedium to surreal renderings of the world Ruth sees. As with other of Powell's graphic novels, linear storytelling appears as only a minor component. Instead, this has a less literal sense, flowing easily between the many moods of a teenager and even into the moods arising from her illness. If you want a more literary experience than most graphic novels offer, this has my highest recommendation.

-- wiredweird

4.0 out of 5 stars Good graphic novel about mental illness, April 7, 2009

By	D. Scott "D. Scott" (Athens, GA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Interesting graphic novel about struggles with OCD and mental illness. This is why graphic novels are such a great medium for adult subjects. A bit on the short side, but it will make you think and question your own reality. Top Shelf is always a good bet - they put out some of the best graphic novels in the business.