Why Read Historical Fiction Graphic Novels

By Amanda Baird


In the best historical fiction graphic novels a gripping fictional story unfolds with vivid illustrations, using a backdrop of some significant event or period in history. These books have the structure of a traditional fictional story but the reader is exposed to other times and places through a combination of illustrations and text.

Some people confuse graphic novels with comic books. The difference between them is that a graphic novel tells a complete story and is of the same length as any other book. Illustrations are used to help move the story forward, conveying physical movement and facial expressions. Some even appear in hardcover and are found on bestseller lists just like their more traditional counterparts.

Authors need to become very familiar with the period or event they are writing about. They often do a great deal of research but they have to use great skill in how they use this research as they do not want to overwhelm the reader. Readers want to be entertained and to accomplish this, they have to be transported into another time and place. As with every genre, some authors are more skilled at doing this than others.

These books deal with topics from ancient history through to modern times. The Grecian Olympic Games, the Roman Slave Trade and the Egyptian pyramids are just some of the topics covered in ancient history. World wars, kings and queens, presidents and their wives, explorations and even serial killers are all brought to life in these books.

Many books in this genre are now available at online stores. There is an increasing interest being shown by readers, from children to adults. Some are written specifically for smaller children, even for those who are just learning to read. Others are written with teenagers in mind, using teenage characters that they can relate to. Many adults enjoy books of this nature and some of them are well written enough to appeal to even the most discerning of readers.

The use of illustrations does not mean that these books are necessarily a lower form of literature. Since the beginning of time pictures have been used to convey stories. Of course, illustrations are helpful for those with difficulty in forming mental pictures and this means that such books are particularly suitable for readers experience difficulty with reading.

Such books are therefore often valued by teachers as they may revise the opinion of a student that history is a boring subject. They provide a tool to teachers for making the past more accessible and relevant to their students. Reluctant readers may also be encouraged to try such a novel, rather than having a wade through a heavy text filled book.

Historical fiction graphic novels are becoming more popular all the time. The combination of text and illustrations offers an immediacy, allowing readers to slip into a past world with ease. While reading an intriguing story, they are exposed at the same time to how people lived in other times and places.




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