Ghost Stories by Whit Taylor - Book Review
Release: October 1, 2018
Format: Kindle
Publisher: Rosarium Publishing
Source: NetGalley
Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
Synopsis: Ghost Stories is a graphic novel collection offering three haunting explorations. Granted the chance to meet three of her dead idols in "Ghost," the author’s cartoon-self embarks on a journey to remote and unanticipated landscapes, in a story of self-discovery and healing.
In "Wallpaper," a child tells the story of a household move, remodel, and loss through the lens of flashbulb memory. And in "Makers," two girls with an unorthodox friendship make a rocky transition into adulthood. Throughout each tale, ghosts exist as past selves and remnants of past relationships that are met with inquiry, resolution, and personal rebirth.
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Amazon
About the Author Whit Taylor: Whit Taylor is a cartoonist, writer, editor, and public health educator from New Jersey. She has a BA in cultural anthropology from Brown University and received an MPH in Social and Behavioral Sciences from Boston University School of Public Health.
A BIG thank you to NetGalley and Rosarium Publishing for providing me a copy of this graphic novel in exchange for my honest review. Unfortunately, Ghost Stories turned out to be a disappointing read.
📖 Misleading Title and Concept
To begin with, the title Ghost Stories is misleading. I expected spooky tales filled with hauntings and apparitions. Instead, the “ghosts” seem to represent traces of past identities and personal change over time. While this is an interesting idea, it doesn’t deliver what the title promises.
🧠 Story 1 – Confusing and Preachy
The first story starts off with some intrigue, exploring evolution and human behavior. However, it quickly becomes overly philosophical and preachy, especially with references to Darwin’s theory. As a result, the pacing feels inconsistent, and the sudden shift to the protagonist’s mental illness makes the story hard to follow.
🎨 Story 2 – Visually Better, but Unclear
The second story, which revolves around wallpapers, is confusing and lacks a clear plot. However, the illustrations stand out here. They are more consistent, symmetrical, and visually appealing compared to the other stories.
🤝 Story 3 – Relatable but Rushed
The third story is the most engaging. It focuses on Tessa and Hope and explores the relatable theme of drifting apart from a friend. Unfortunately, the story ends abruptly, leaving the reader unsatisfied.
🎨 Artwork – Inconsistent Quality
The illustrations throughout the book feel uneven. While I appreciate the author’s solo effort, the artwork often appears crude and lacks detail—especially in the first and third stories. Ironically, the most detailed artwork appears in the second story, which has the weakest narrative.
⭐ Final Verdict
Overall, Ghost Stories by Whit Taylor feels like an overly “artsy” project that prioritizes concept over execution. Although it has potential, the storytelling and artwork fall short.
Ghost Stories
by Whit Taylor
Synopsis
"Ghost Stories is a graphic novel collection offering three haunting explorations. Granted the chance to meet three of her dead idols in "Ghost," the author’s cartoon-self embarks on a journey to remote and unanticipated landscapes, in a story of self-discovery and healing.
In "Wallpaper," a child tells the story of a household move, remodel, and loss through the lens of flashbulb memory. And in "Makers," two girls with an unorthodox friendship make a rocky transition into adulthood. Throughout each tale, ghosts exist as past selves and remnants of past relationships that are met with inquiry, resolution, and personal rebirth."
Release
October 1, 2018
Format
Kindle
Publisher
Rosarium Publishing
Source
NetGalley
About the Author
Whit Taylor
Whit Taylor is a cartoonist, writer, editor, and public health educator from New Jersey. She has a BA in cultural anthropology from Brown University and received an MPH in Social and Behavioral Sciences from Boston University School of Public Health.
My Review
A BIG thank you to NetGalley and Rosarium Publishing for providing me a copy of this graphic novel in exchange for my honest review. Unfortunately, Ghost Stories turned out to be a disappointing read.
📖 Misleading Title and Concept
To begin with, the title Ghost Stories is misleading. I expected spooky tales filled with hauntings and apparitions. Instead, the “ghosts” seem to represent traces of past identities and personal change over time. While this is an interesting idea, it doesn’t deliver what the title promises.
🧠 Story 1 – Confusing and Preachy
The first story starts off with some intrigue, exploring evolution and human behavior. However, it quickly becomes overly philosophical and preachy, especially with references to Darwin’s theory. As a result, the pacing feels inconsistent, and the sudden shift to the protagonist’s mental illness makes the story hard to follow.
🎨 Story 2 – Visually Better, but Unclear
The second story, which revolves around wallpapers, is confusing and lacks a clear plot. However, the illustrations stand out here. They are more consistent, symmetrical, and visually appealing compared to the other stories.
🤝 Story 3 – Relatable but Rushed
The third story is the most engaging. It focuses on Tessa and Hope and explores the relatable theme of drifting apart from a friend. Unfortunately, the story ends abruptly, leaving the reader unsatisfied.
🎨 Artwork – Inconsistent Quality
The illustrations throughout the book feel uneven. While I appreciate the author’s solo effort, the artwork often appears crude and lacks detail—especially in the first and third stories. Ironically, the most detailed artwork appears in the second story, which has the weakest narrative.
⭐ Final Verdict
Overall, Ghost Stories by Whit Taylor feels like an overly “artsy” project that prioritizes concept over execution. Although it has potential, the storytelling and artwork fall short.
