Black Hole

Charles Burns

59 pages 1-hour read

Charles Burns

Black Hole

Fiction | Graphic Novel/Book | Adult | Published in 2005

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Book Brief

Charles Burns

Black Hole

Fiction | Graphic Novel/Book | Adult | Published in 2005
Book Details
Pages

368

Format

Graphic Novel/Book • Fiction

Genre
Horror & Suspense

Science Fiction
Setting

Seattle, Washington • 1970s

Theme
Shame & Pride

Sexual Identity

Coming of Age
Publication Year

2005

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

Black Hole by Charles Burns follows a group of Seattle teenagers in the 1970s who contract a sexually transmitted disease that causes grotesque mutations. The narrative explores their struggles with alienation, identity, and transformation. Through haunting imagery and a somber atmosphere, Burns delves into themes of adolescence and social isolation.

Dark

Unnerving

Gritty

Mysterious

Melancholic

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Black Hole by Charles Burns is lauded for its hauntingly beautiful artwork and exploration of adolescent alienation through a surreal, horror-infused narrative. Critics praise its atmospheric tension and compelling imagery. However, some find the plot occasionally disjointed and the pace uneven. Nevertheless, it remains a striking, thought-provoking graphic novel.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Black Hole?

A reader who enjoys Black Hole by Charles Burns likely appreciates dark, psychological graphic novels with themes of alienation and transformation. Fans of works like Watchmen by Alan Moore or Sandman by Neil Gaiman might also find this compelling due to its surreal atmosphere and exploration of complex, societal issues.

Character List

One of the novel's two protagonists, Chris grapples with the societal changes and personal challenges brought on by an illness known as the Bug. Initially a model student and daughter, she must adapt to a transformed reality after contracting the Bug.

The second protagonist, Keith is a high school student navigating the uncertainty and isolation of adolescence. His journey is marked by his changing attitudes towards relationships, intimacy, and his place within social groups.

A supporting character seen through Keith's perspective, Eliza is a resident at a house associated with Keith's friends. Her life and experiences, particularly in the realm of relationships, form a key part of her interactions with Keith.

Rob is Chris's romantic interest who inadvertently passes the Bug to her. His second mouth, a symptom of the Bug, provides insight into his subconscious thoughts and complicates his interactions with others.

A supporting character who becomes an antagonist, Dave is a high school student marked by his experiences of bullying and social rejection. His feelings for Chris and actions at the camp are central to the unfolding of key events.

Book Details
Pages

368

Format

Graphic Novel/Book • Fiction

Genre
Horror & Suspense

Science Fiction
Setting

Seattle, Washington • 1970s

Theme
Shame & Pride

Sexual Identity

Coming of Age
Publication Year

2005

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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