The Beats: A Graphic History, Edited by Paul Buhle

The Beats
A Graphic History
Edited by Paul Buhle

Finished: 08/27/10

An incredible introduction to the movers and shapers in the Beat generation done as a graphic novel – served with a side of fries and a lot of insight. Unlike many Beat studies, the influence of women is not shoved to the shadows where they are relegated to second class status of being only girlfriends, lovers, wives, or daughters. Their importance is shared in intelligent writing as well as precise drawings. This is a collection of comic book writers, as in the late Harvey Pekar, and of artists, with a single focus and many creative ways to get there. It is a work of art in itself. Quite inspiring, it will feed an inquiring mind away from the undermining slants of the term Beatnik, to the genuine of Beat with its Jazz influx, its experimentation, and its excitement about being alive. One is also introduced to a venue where mythology is broken down for the underlining element of these writers, artists, or simply Beats, being human, thus flawed, thus far from any legend.

3 ½ stars out of 5
Review written: 09/26/10, 6:47 PM