Book Dump: My Favorite Graphic Novels About Music
This article continues my “Book Dump” series! In an effort to keep up with my rapid reading pace, I am categorizing shorter book reviews and grouping them together all in one place. I hope these help you separate the wheat from the chaff and only read books you love!
This installment highlights my favorite graphic novels about music. Find a little information and thoughts on each below, in no particular order.
Chasin’ the Bird: Charlie Parker in California
Published in 2022 by Dave Chisholm, Chasin’ the Bird: Charlie Parker in California pairs a collection of stories about revolutionary bebop alto saxophonist Charlie “Bird” Parker with beautiful and captivating illustrations. Chisholm weaves together six lesser-known narratives from individuals who met Parker and knew him intimately. Rather than looking at his whole life and career, the book narrows in on a more specific window of time and the location of California to tie together the six vignettes. The shortest book on this list, it is nevertheless a delight to the eyes and mind!
Billie Holiday: The Graphic Novel
A visual alternative to the standard biography, Billie Holiday: The Graphic Novel was published in 2021 by Ebony Gilbert and David Calcano. The book efficiently yet thoroughly tells the story of Holiday’s career through beautiful illustrations. It’s a quick read but it really captures Holiday’s essence and energy. Check out some of the amazing artwork below!
Ballad for Sophie
Published in 2020, Ballad for Sophie is a beautiful 300-page graphic novel by Filipe Melo and Juan Cavia. While the other two books on this list focus on the lives of real musicians, Ballad for Sophie gets even more creative with a fictional plot and characters. The book uses stunning illustrations to tell the emotional story of a French pianist in his old age as he reflects back on his life.
Melo is a pianist himself, which helps him craft a more realistic and immersive tale. He took it a step further than the average author by composing the titular piece of music discussed by the characters, which he includes hand-written sheet music for in the back of the book. You can even find a recording of the piece on Spotify!
Aside from stimulating plot devices and eye-candy drawings, the story in this book is powerful. I’m not a big cryer, but I shed some tears during this one. It is easily one of the best books I have read in the last year and I cannot recommend it enough.
Did I miss your favorite? Leave it in the comments section below!