What is the author's style in Marx for Beginners by Rius?

The format of Marx for Beginners is one of the most striking elements of the book and it sets this work apart from most other works on this important historical figure. Rius has chosen to use cartoons to summarize the work of Karl Marx. He also includes a dictionary of some Marxist terms at the end of the book and a short recommended reading list. The use of cartoons for a work like this has both positives and negatives.

On the positive side, the use of cartoons runs in a straight line from Rius' stated goal of introducing Marx to individuals who have not read his work. The cartoons work well to both help simplify the material and present it in a fun way. The drawings often illustrate what Rius is discussing, making Marx's ideas a bit more clear. In addition, the cartoons are reminiscent of reading the Sunday comics or buying comic books as a child: they are much less daunting then sitting down to wade through Capital, for example. Someone who might never pick up one of Marx's works may pick this work up and become interested in Marx. In this, the author's goal is met and the structure works well.

On the negative side, however, using cartoons for Marx does limit the amount of material that Rius can present. Only the most essential items can find room in this book and a lot of Marx's ideas and theories are left out. For a Marxist scholar, the work would fall far short of presenting an adequate discussion of Marx. It is also conceivable that some individuals may not find Rius' sense of humor welcome in such a book.