A collection of queer fairy tales that subverts traditional, patriarchal narrative arcs? I mean, what more could you want? The concept of Other Ever Afters may sound simple—but the representation is something that has been fought for with fervour.
In this graphic novel, the characters who have been forced to sit on the sidelines in classic tales we grew up with finally get their moment to be in the spotlight. From the outrageous to the timeless, this graphic novel is jam-packed with stories that will have you feeling empowered—in one tale we follow a giant who abducts someone…only to turn out to be a gentle, protective soul; in another we see a girl marrying the ostensible beast…who isn’t actually all that beastly. Stories where the monarchy is overthrown are followed with those where the goose girl is the one who saves the day instead of the king who rules all and it’s as encouraging as it is tear-inducing to think that a new generation of readers will see themselves represented in fairy tales and know that they, too, have the power to change the world—whether they are born into royalty or part of a marginalised community. Turning the moral of the story on its head makes for a riveting reading experience.
Gillman’s art style is incredibly whimsical—it reminded me a lot of the optimism and general “happiness” that can be found in the drawings of children—colour combinations you might not choose as an adult but which end up making the story that is told that much richer and approachable. All the illustrations are hand-drawn with coloured pencil which—even in the digital edition I reviewed—add so many layers to the reading experience. You can see where Gillman put special focus on an element in the panels and what is supposed to fade a bit in the background and it felt weirdly (but awesomely) reminiscent of retro TV cartoons where the eye is automatically drawn to what’s important. It’s also undoubtedly an incredibly fun drawing style that I’m sure will find kids itching to draw their own stories and immortalise their ideas!
All in all, whether you decide to pick up this feminist, queer fairy-tale collection for yourself or gifting it to someone you love, Gillman’s Other Ever Afters is perfect for anyone who wants to see more inclusive representation in classic tales!
Other Ever Afters is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of September 20th 2022.
Will you be picking up Other Ever Afters? Tell us in the comments below!
Synopsis | Goodreads
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.
