***Contains Spoilers***
Craig Thompson’s Blankets is a deeply personal, coming-of-age graphic novel that follows his journey from childhood to early adulthood. It explores his struggles with faith, family, and first love, centering on his relationship with Raina, a girl he meets at church camp. Through memories of his strict religious upbringing, bullying at school, and his difficult home life, the story captures the beauty and heartbreak of growing up and finding one’s own path.
What struck me most was how raw and honest Thompson’s storytelling is. His childhood was rough—at times, unbearably so. The bullying, the strict religious household, the hints of abuse—some scenes, like his brother being thrown under the stairs, were genuinely hard to read. It’s a testament to how childhood pain lingers, shaping who we become. The book also captures how faith, especially when imposed from a young age, can mess with your sense of self. Page 533, in particular, put into words feelings about religion that I’ve struggled to articulate myself.
The artwork is stunning. Thompson’s use of flowing, dreamlike visuals makes the story feel almost poetic, perfectly balancing the heaviness of the subject matter. The pacing is natural, and the way memories blend into the present keeps everything feeling fluid and immersive. Despite the darkness in parts of the story, Blankets never feels hopeless. Even in the midst of trauma, there is beauty—whether in childhood imagination, art, or the tenderness of first love. That relationship with Raina, even though it doesn’t last beyond that trip, is portrayed with such sincerity that its impermanence feels bittersweet rather than tragic.
If I have any complaints, it’s only that I wish I had read this sooner. Blankets is the kind of book that lingers with you, and I can’t help but think how much more it would have resonated at different stages of my life. It’s something I’ll definitely be handing to my kids when they’re older.
This is an absolute five-star book for me—one of the best graphic novels I’ve ever read. It’s powerful, beautifully crafted, and emotionally honest in a way few books are. Highly recommended.
Feature Image Blankets cover art by Craig Thompson
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