Chris Staros from the excellent indy comics publisher Top Shelf drops us a very excited email to tell us that one of their graphic novels, Nate Powell’s Swallow Me Whole, has been nominated for the prestigious LA Times Book Prize (in the Young Adult Fiction category), the first graphic novel to be nominated there since Spiegelman’s Maus apparently I’m delighted to see a graphic novel on another prestigious literary award shortlist (its seems to be becoming more and more common, I’m happy to say and about time) and especially pleased to see Swallow Me Whole make the list; it received some great reviews in the comics community and mainstream press and featured as one of my own favourite reads of 2008 (an involving, intriguing story, emotional and fascinating, with terrific dark, scratchy art – heck, even the smart small hardback format TS published it in is rather handsome, do check it out).
Checking down the rest of the nominees shows more entries from the fantastical genres sharing the shortlist – Neil Gaiman’s bestselling Graveyard Book is also on the YA Fiction shortlist, as is Terry Pratchett’s Nation. Sadly no SF&F or graphic novels in the adult fiction category although Terry and Neil’s works are suitable for both young adults and adults alike, in my opinion so there’s that and Swallow Me Whole, although featuring teenage characters and their lives, isn’t (as Chris commented in his excited email) specifically aimed at the YA market but its certainly one I feel would appeal to many teens as well as adult readers.
Tue, Mar 3, 2009
Awards, Books