Lost in a Good Book

Published: 20th September 2022
Publisher: Random House Graphic
Pages: 240
Format: Graphic Novel
Genre: Fairy Tale
★   ★   ★   ★ – 4 Stars

Once upon a time . . . happily ever after turned out differently than expected. In this new, feminist, queer fairy-tale collection, you’ll find the princesses, mermaids, knights, barmaids, children, and wise old women who have been forced to sit on the sidelines in classic stories taking center stage. A gorgeous all-new collection in graphic novel format from a Stonewall Honor-winning author and artist.

What if the giant who abducted you was actually thoughtful and kind? What if you didn’t want to marry your handsome, popular, but cold-inside suitor? What if your one true love has all the responsibilities that come with running a kingdom?

Award-winning author Melanie Gillman’s phenomenal colored-pencil art creates another “ever after” for the characters who are most worthy of it.

This was a fabulous recommendation and it holds up to the praise. It is filled with wonderful fairy tales that are unique, meaningful, and feel like the traditional ones we’ve known for generations.

One things I adore is that these princesses aren’t the typical kind you find in retellings – they are not the tough, kick arse princesses, they are still maids, still children, but they have their worlds changed. They are saved from their storylines and empowered by love. There is an amazing message about not letting fairy tales devour girls and instead to let the system of oppression and rule starve.

Gillman hasn’t made them complicated, or too on their head, but they are about people being saved from fate, from the society around them, from their despair and from themselves. They are really beautiful stories.

It is a great collection of stories that showcase different types of experiences but also put unrepresented people in stories that have been dominated by others for so long. From stories about Sapphic love to a story about a trans character dealing with dead naming and their supportive grandmother there is a lot of queer representation and experiences to explore.

The illustrations are lovely. The colours are beautiful and the art style ties in with the other worldly mystical nature of fairy tales while also feeling beautifully modern as well.

This is a super quick read, but each tale is profound in meaning, full of heart and love and it is a reminder that fairy tales can be written every day. These feel old, they feel ancient. They feel as timeless as those that have passed down for centuries but also feel more hopeful.

You can purchase Other Ever Afters via the following

QBD | Booktopia | Blackwell’s

Dymocks | Wordery

 Fishpond | Amazon