Bone: The Complete Cartoon Epic in One Volume

Boy! If ever a book needed to be an ebook, this is it. When the package arrived in the post, I initially thought I had mistakenly ordered a brick. Of course, this is a not a criticism; it merely makes receiving the book as much an event as reading it.

The story builds as it progesses, starting simply and moving to a satisfying climax. As has been noted in other reviews, there are similarities with Lord of the Rings, with the simple bucolic beginning building to world shattering finale, however where LOTR is solidly serious, this coats its tale with a lot more humour, both visual and verbal. It is not often that a book makes me genuinely smile or laugh, however this one managed it on page after page. Remembering the arrival of winter, or the cheshire cat like appearances of the dragon, has me smiling even now. I am also never going to look at quiche the same.

The book, although hefty, generally avoids the tendancy of some long running comics to pad out the story with random asides or unnecessary placing of characters in peril. The story moves along quickly, with the reveals happening with sufficient frequency to keep things fresh.

I would like to say I read this from cover to cover in one sitting, however in truth I need to sleep and eat and avoid alienating my family. I tried my hardest though. It is not often that you encounter a true tour de force, however this graphic novel is worth all of the awards that have been heaped upon it. If you only ever read one graphic novel, this should be the one.