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BROWNSVILLE is a graphic novel about the short, violent history of the Jewish crime syndicate in New York City during the early part of the 20th century. It tells of that group's rise and final demise when most of the principal characters either ratted each other out or went to death row for their crimes. I might not be the right person to critique a graphic novel. I enjoy reading. I find great pleasure in words well chosen to work together to support a story rather than seeing how few words as possible can be used to simply get the story across. Graphic novels are too short on words and long on pictures to give the readers a sense of description, location, and action. As much as I studied the artwork in BROWNSVILLE, I had a hard time telling the lead mobsters apart. Everything is drawn in black and white slashes, including the people. The aim of the artwork seems to be contrasting light and dark along with a sense of violence and brooding. Little time was devoted to finesse. I'm also rather wary when the sources of research for a book boasts old movies, other people's fictional novels, and a list of online websites as the author's idea of high academic investigation. If you like graphic novels I'm sure you'll like BROWNSVILLE but if you simply have an interest in the subject matter of Jewish gangsters I'd recommend that you read other books about the topic or that you watch some old black and white movies about it. Most of the old films had great writers, fine actors and directors, and magnificent movie scores to contribute to their enjoyment. Come to think of it, BROWNSVILLE could have been used as the beginning storyboard for one of those old movies. Much of the excitement of the story has still to be added.
Reviewed by Sharon Katz, May 2006
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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)
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