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GRAPHIC NOVEL REVIEWS The Pervert
The Prince & The Dressmaker
Written by: Michelle Perez Illustrated by: Remy Boydell Publisher: Image Comics Format: Non-fiction, Softcover, 160 pages, Color ISBN: 9781534307414 Ages: 16 and up
Written and Illustrated by: Jen Wang Published by: First Second Format: Hardcover, Color, 288 pages, $24.99 ISBN: 9781250159854 Ages: 9+
As someone who enjoys fairy tales (a lot) there are only certain times when I think: Wow, and I thought traditional fairy tales were entertaining!
The Pervert follows the account of a trans girl surviving through sex work in Seattle. Originally published in the Eisner-nominated comics magazine ISLAND, this fully painted bound edition is brutally beautiful and strikingly honest. Telling an almost impossible path between desperation, hope, alienation, and connection, The Pervert is an important story that aims to bring unique personal stories into the limelight of comics. Perez’s heartfelt and gut-wrenching story asks readers to evaluate the human identity, and empathize with the struggle between one’s personal self and the self the world sees and accepts. Coupled with the arresting art of Boydell, these creators have cultivated a touching and unforgiving graphic novel that demands the attention of its audience. This title is perfect for readers interested in LGBTQ+, nonfiction, and memoirs. Due to some explicit language and graphic content, The Pervert is recommended for readers 16 and up. Reviewed by Diamond BookShelf
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Jen Wang’s The Prince and the Dressmaker is one of the most thoughtful contemporary fairy tales to hit the 21st century young adult reading world in a while. But that’s not the best part. The best part is that it’s fairy a tale for the whole family to read and to talk about. To begin, the two main characters have some serious secrets. While Frances cannot reveal that she is the Prince’s dressmaker, the Prince cannot reveal that he is wearing her dresses. In fact, Prince Sebastian is not only wearing the dresses, but also secretly sporting them as Paris’ new raging fashion icon “Lady Crystallia.” And to make matters worse the Prince’s parents are trying to find him a bride. Playing his role as Prince during the daytime and Lady Crystallia at nighttime, the Prince is set on a collision course with himself. Will he be the Prince his family wants him to be? Will he be the Prince Frances needs him to be in order to gain her dresses some much-deserved attention? Or, will the Prince be true to himself? Reviewed by Professor Katie Monnin
Spring 2018