It's here – the graphic novel edition of Craig Thompson's epic memoir that centers on his personal relationship with ginseng, Ginseng Roots! While it starts out specifically focusing on his family roots in ginseng cultivation, it gradually spreads out into an in-depth historical biography of the humble plant itself, one that reveals the many unexpected ways in which ginseng's roots are deeply entangled in the history of America – both before and after 1492 – and that in the process touches on international cultures, war, world trade – specifically that between East Asia and the US – Christianity, family values, work ethics and much more. In short, Ginseng Roots takes readers on a fantastic voyage of discovery that provides a unique cluster of insights into our shared present.
While it does collect (nearly*) the entirety of the Ginseng Roots story pages created for the twelve-issue series, there are also quite a number of new pages that have been weaved in throughout – *at least a few of which replace pages from the original issue – with the aim of creating a unified work that can be read as a graphic novel rather than simply a collection of the series. Craig worked on Ginseng Roots for over five years, and so, understandably, his conception of the work developed during that period, and he could better see, by the end of the process, how to make the work cohere into an organic whole than he was able to at the outet; thus the additions/edits/changes to the original issues. It is worth noting that, on the other hand, most of the bonus / back-up material from the individual issues is not included (but a small smattering is, at the end, in a short bonus section, of sorts). So... it should be interesting to read this and compare it to the original issues. We plan to!
But, no matter how you slice it, Ginseng Roots is a masterpiece of the form – as enlightening as it is engaging – and the Copacetic favorite among Craig Thompson's works thus far in his career.
And we're not the only ones who think highly of this work:
“Returning to Craig’s roots in rural Wisconsin, Ginseng Roots is part systems exploration, part cultural history — but most uniquely, it is an exercise in journalistic listening as an act of devotion. Even as Craig painfully questions his upbringing and his own beliefs about work, he expresses a hope for healing and an ultimate acceptance of imperfection and grace.”
—Thi Bui, author of The Best We Could Do
“Craig Thompson’s sometimes aching reflection on his roots in the soil and culture of rural Wisconsin is also a tender love letter to ginseng and to the diverse, compelling, and often quirky people who struggle to make it grow. A sweeping story, gorgeously drawn and beautifully told — this is Craig Thompson’s masterpiece.”
—Joe Sacco, author of Palestine and Paying the Land
In short: RECOMMENDED!
Still need convincing? Check out this hefty gallery of spreads frm the book that we posted on the Copacetic Tumblr.
