The Adventures Of Blanche (2009) - Plot & Excerpts
I went into this assuming it was all historical fact, like everything else Geary has written. The author's introduction to the box of letters found in his grandmother's attic only confirmed my assumption. I thought the cult in the first story was fascinating but my first clue that this might not be factual was the tentacle monster. However, I brushed it aside for the moment as surely Blanche herself could have been very confused about what really happened. Then I found it astonishing that she was working with D.W. Griffith in Hollywood. 'What an amazing life!' I thought. My suspension of disbelief was eventually eroded completely by the last story. It's either impressive or sad that it took that long for me to realize this might be Geary's first fictional work. While it was neat to see all of the different historical figures woven into the outlandish adventures of a midwest concert pianist in the early 20th century, ultimately the book is disappointing since none of it is real. I read Geary because he's so good at historical non-fiction comics, I have little interest in something he might make up. I went into this book with no expectations; I'd grabbed it at a sale knowing only that it was historical fiction. Altogether the three stories have kind of a Grand Tour spirit to them, following Blanche's letters to her parents as she writes of her adventures traveling as a skilled concert pianist. I really enjoyed the nods to history, actual events and famous people and satires of organizations, and liked the quirky and sometimes fantastical elements woven in. Each story is about comic-issue size and pretty self-contained, but they are linked together in the third.Unfortunately, because they are comic-issue size, they don't get really in-depth. I was definitely missing the more emotional connection to the heroine throughout. It also bothered me a little that Blanche included certain romantic details when writing to her parents, and some of the avant-garde activities she was exposed to. I got the impression she had a more traditional small-town upbringing, and that if her parents ever received some of these letters, they would have had apoplexies. It would have been different if the letters were less specific, allowing the images of what had actually happened to help us read between the lines--and while this was done sometimes, it wasn't quite consistent.It's a very charming book overall and I'm pleased to have it in my collection. The drawings have a charming, innocent feel that reminds me of both woodcut and broadsheet. I haven't come across anything quite like this yet. A graphic novel set in our own history with a female protagonist pursuing a career over different phases in her life... it's a nice find. As a female reader, however, I was definitely missing some touchy-feely satisfaction, even though that would have made it a much much longer book.
What do You think about The Adventures Of Blanche (2009)?
Not as good as his murder tales; a little too light.
—Marielle
Great book! I really wish there was more!
—leylarox
