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Porcelain #1
Porcelain: A Gothic Fairy Tale
Set within a world that’s a magical echo of our own, Porcelain is the story of Child, an urchin, who leaves behind the cold streets of a snowy city when she climbs the high wall into the Porcelain Maker’s garden.
The Porcelain Maker discovers Child trespassing but, amused by her audacity, he offers her the chance to stay. He’s a lonely man, kept company only by his alchemically-powered automata, and he and Child form an unlikely friendship.
Shut off from the world beyond the wall, Child wants or needs for nothing as the Porcelain Maker heaps affection and luxury upon her, indulging her like a daughter. In return, she can do as she pleases, except for one command, one rule that must never be broken, she must not look behind the workshop door.
Suggested for Young Adults and Above.
The Porcelain Maker discovers Child trespassing but, amused by her audacity, he offers her the chance to stay. He’s a lonely man, kept company only by his alchemically-powered automata, and he and Child form an unlikely friendship.
Shut off from the world beyond the wall, Child wants or needs for nothing as the Porcelain Maker heaps affection and luxury upon her, indulging her like a daughter. In return, she can do as she pleases, except for one command, one rule that must never be broken, she must not look behind the workshop door.
Suggested for Young Adults and Above.
92 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
5 people are currently reading
1210 people want to read
About the author
Benjamin Read
12 books83 followersBenjamin Read writes comics and makes films. He wrote the multiply award-nominated PORCELAIN: A GOTHIC FAIRY TALE, the silent comic BUTTERFLY GATE, and children’s book, NIGHT POST, as well as the TRUE GRIT and SUPER 8 comic adaptations. He also wrote and produced the films ARMISTICE and 500 MILES NORTH. He is one of the founder members of the Improper Books comics collective, and is fuelled principally by tea and whimsy. He is currently working on the rest of the Porcelain sequence, alongside writing his first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
May 5, 2013
This was really, really good.
It's the sort of comic that I read and immediately wanted to lend to my friends. Or, preferably, buy them their own copies so the bastards won't steal mine.
I liked the feel of it, like an old-school faerie tale. A nice, tight, well-written story. A little mystery, a little humor, a little horror. It made me smile in places and get a little weepy in others.
I could go on at length, but that's it in a nutshell. It was excellent.
Apparently this is one of the first endeavors of a new comic publisher: Improper Books.
If this is the sort of thing they're going to keep doing, I'm going to have to make a habit of them, stalking their release schedule mercilessly through the dense foliage of the interwebs.
I got an early look at this because the artist is a fan of my writing, and they mailed me an early version of the book. But it's being released internationally in July.
If you want to look at a preview and maybe order a copy for yourself, you can get details here....
http://www.improperbooks.com/2013/04/...
It's the sort of comic that I read and immediately wanted to lend to my friends. Or, preferably, buy them their own copies so the bastards won't steal mine.
I liked the feel of it, like an old-school faerie tale. A nice, tight, well-written story. A little mystery, a little humor, a little horror. It made me smile in places and get a little weepy in others.
I could go on at length, but that's it in a nutshell. It was excellent.
Apparently this is one of the first endeavors of a new comic publisher: Improper Books.
If this is the sort of thing they're going to keep doing, I'm going to have to make a habit of them, stalking their release schedule mercilessly through the dense foliage of the interwebs.
I got an early look at this because the artist is a fan of my writing, and they mailed me an early version of the book. But it's being released internationally in July.
If you want to look at a preview and maybe order a copy for yourself, you can get details here....
http://www.improperbooks.com/2013/04/...
December 9, 2015
This is a story which I picked up without ever having heard of it before. I got it on a recommendation from my local comic books shop and the style of artwork and colouring drew me in. I read it as part of the #Rainbowthon.
The story is a cross between gothic and fairy tale and I have to say it was original. The premise is that there's a big old manor house and everyone avoids it, but one day a young street girl is dared to go in there by her 'friends'. The story feels like a classical fairy tale to begin with, except with some more adult language and realistic scenes, but as it goes on it takes some peculiar and interesting turns and I really enjoyed the evolution of the story, characters and plot.
The main character is Child and she's a street urchin with little to go home to or care for. She's feisty and investigative and she's got a strong curiosity which I think really endeared her to me. I also have to say that the way she's drawn felt both believable and fun all at once because she's not conventionally beautiful, but rather a little rough around the edges, and I think that suited her well.
The artwork and colouring of the book does make it stunning to look through and there's a few smaller quirks added at the back to show the early designs etc too with added annotations. These were really interesting to give a little more backstory to the characters and plot and generally make me like the book and creators even more.
Some pages have large spread which are certainly the most emotional and beautiful in my mind. The scenes are rendered beautifully and the choice of colours is perfect to set the scene and make us feel however the creators want us to feel.
On the whole I'd say this is an indie-publisher and series that I would highly recommend you check out and I will certainly be picking up volume #2 as soon as it comes out because it was a great little gem. 5*s
The story is a cross between gothic and fairy tale and I have to say it was original. The premise is that there's a big old manor house and everyone avoids it, but one day a young street girl is dared to go in there by her 'friends'. The story feels like a classical fairy tale to begin with, except with some more adult language and realistic scenes, but as it goes on it takes some peculiar and interesting turns and I really enjoyed the evolution of the story, characters and plot.
The main character is Child and she's a street urchin with little to go home to or care for. She's feisty and investigative and she's got a strong curiosity which I think really endeared her to me. I also have to say that the way she's drawn felt both believable and fun all at once because she's not conventionally beautiful, but rather a little rough around the edges, and I think that suited her well.
The artwork and colouring of the book does make it stunning to look through and there's a few smaller quirks added at the back to show the early designs etc too with added annotations. These were really interesting to give a little more backstory to the characters and plot and generally make me like the book and creators even more.
Some pages have large spread which are certainly the most emotional and beautiful in my mind. The scenes are rendered beautifully and the choice of colours is perfect to set the scene and make us feel however the creators want us to feel.
On the whole I'd say this is an indie-publisher and series that I would highly recommend you check out and I will certainly be picking up volume #2 as soon as it comes out because it was a great little gem. 5*s
August 14, 2013
Spoilers
-Pretty good. It was a bit too short for my liking though.
-The story was somewhat predictable and cliched, it was kind of a rags-to-riches-orphan-Annie type of gothic fairy tale with the urchin girl (Child) being welcomed into the rich, misunderstood, lonely man's (Uncle) estate. Thus bringing joy back into his life, fast becoming a family, and the girl reaping the rewards of her guardian's riches. It wasn't anything unique or original, I've read similar stories before but it was still a decent enough read.
-I did like the blank, creepy, porcelain people — it was pretty obvious that they were the reanimated dead. So that 'twist' wasn't much of a twist.
-Child was quite funny, but for the most part she was a bit of a spoiled brat. Uncle took her in off the streets, and gave her a home, and safety but she just whined every chance she got. I guess that was realistic since she was still a kid.
-The relationship between Child and Uncle was quite sweet, but it could have done with being fleshed out more. I wasn't even that bothered when Uncle died, and I didn't really care about Child losing him and being alone. Maybe if they'd been more development between the two the death would have been more emotional and impactful.
I think Porcelain might have worked better if there'd been more scenes and focus on Child's training, and Uncle/Child's relationship.
-I loved the illustrations and colours used.
All in all, a pleasant enough read. However, I would have been more impressed if it had been longer, and there'd been more development, depth, and layers in the characters, relationships and story.
-Pretty good. It was a bit too short for my liking though.
-The story was somewhat predictable and cliched, it was kind of a rags-to-riches-orphan-Annie type of gothic fairy tale with the urchin girl (Child) being welcomed into the rich, misunderstood, lonely man's (Uncle) estate. Thus bringing joy back into his life, fast becoming a family, and the girl reaping the rewards of her guardian's riches. It wasn't anything unique or original, I've read similar stories before but it was still a decent enough read.
-I did like the blank, creepy, porcelain people — it was pretty obvious that they were the reanimated dead. So that 'twist' wasn't much of a twist.
-Child was quite funny, but for the most part she was a bit of a spoiled brat. Uncle took her in off the streets, and gave her a home, and safety but she just whined every chance she got. I guess that was realistic since she was still a kid.
-The relationship between Child and Uncle was quite sweet, but it could have done with being fleshed out more. I wasn't even that bothered when Uncle died, and I didn't really care about Child losing him and being alone. Maybe if they'd been more development between the two the death would have been more emotional and impactful.
I think Porcelain might have worked better if there'd been more scenes and focus on Child's training, and Uncle/Child's relationship.
-I loved the illustrations and colours used.
All in all, a pleasant enough read. However, I would have been more impressed if it had been longer, and there'd been more development, depth, and layers in the characters, relationships and story.
November 8, 2019
'Twas alright. I feel kinda bad not giving this a higher rating, because the creators are SUPER excited about it in the Author Notes/ behind the scenes sections, and I didn't have any particular problem with the graphic novel. It just didn't leave much of an impression on me, neither story-wise, nor art-wise. Maybe if it were longer and the characters were more developed?
February 9, 2015
This was intriguing, but much too short! It's sort of a steam-punk Bluebeard re-telling with a twist. I love the story idea, but there just isn't enough depth or development to carry it satisfactorily. This should have been twice as long!
July 17, 2016
Almost a 5 stars read.
February 2, 2020
I enjoyed reading this. The story is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast with a dash of orphan Annie. It was predictable, but dark and twisted.
I found the concept very creative.
I found the concept very creative.
May 15, 2021
Gothic steampunk
Porcelana tiene de cuento de hadas eso de la premisa de la regla: 'puedes tener y hacer lo que quieras, menos entrar en cierto cuarto'. Por otro lado es bastante dickensiano, con una pandilla de ladronzuelos donde lanzan al más débil (la Niña) por un muro donde vive un brujo para robar, pero el brujo es un alquimista (Tío) que debe su fortuna a unos automatones que llama sus "porcelanas". Le cae en gracia la Niña y la deja como su pupila /hija adoptiva/aprendiz.
El dibujo tiene encanto , aunque es tal vez muy corto para explorar el mundo que se centra solamente en la mansión con los automatones. Aunque tal vez eso de encierro-claustrofobia- todo afuera es malo, sea intencional.
Porcelana tiene de cuento de hadas eso de la premisa de la regla: 'puedes tener y hacer lo que quieras, menos entrar en cierto cuarto'. Por otro lado es bastante dickensiano, con una pandilla de ladronzuelos donde lanzan al más débil (la Niña) por un muro donde vive un brujo para robar, pero el brujo es un alquimista (Tío) que debe su fortuna a unos automatones que llama sus "porcelanas". Le cae en gracia la Niña y la deja como su pupila /hija adoptiva/aprendiz.
El dibujo tiene encanto , aunque es tal vez muy corto para explorar el mundo que se centra solamente en la mansión con los automatones. Aunque tal vez eso de encierro-claustrofobia- todo afuera es malo, sea intencional.
September 23, 2018
An intriguing story and characters I felt invested in, all written with personality and wit, and tied together with stunning artwork. Next one please.
May 12, 2013
One day, an urchin girl is forced (by fellow gang members and their cruel urchin leader) to break into the grounds of a mansion to go a-stealing. It is rumoured the man inside is a wizard, and the mansions protected by monsters.
From such a beautifully evocative start, the tale of porcelain develops, echoing various fairy tales and children's stories. Bluebeard and Oliver Twist, Krabat and Doctor Frankenstein, the list of echoes is long - even though the story is quite short.
The story is beautifully gothic, and the illustrations are beautiful, too. Definitely recommended.
From such a beautifully evocative start, the tale of porcelain develops, echoing various fairy tales and children's stories. Bluebeard and Oliver Twist, Krabat and Doctor Frankenstein, the list of echoes is long - even though the story is quite short.
The story is beautifully gothic, and the illustrations are beautiful, too. Definitely recommended.
April 1, 2013
I cannot praise this book highly enough - the illustrations alone are worth the price of entry with colours and line to die for. That the story is such a heart-breaking gem, so redolent of dark Victorian tales and fantasy makes it completely essential. I was lucky enough to get one of the early editions, sketched in by the the artist and I feel very VERY happy about that. Congratulations to Read and Wildgoose and may they produce many more superb volumes of graphic story-telling.
March 21, 2016
What can I say about this one, it was superb! The story was an excellent balance between mystery and suspense, science fiction and gothic fantasy showing the price to be paid to create life, and the price to be paid in breaking promises. While the illustration style isn't my favourite (personally I prefer darker more brooding styles), the strength of the story and the characters excels past this and grips you from start to finish.
December 9, 2015
It's like Annie meets Bluebeard in the best of all possible ways! A surprisingly sad, beauitful, melancholy story that made for a delightful few hours reading!
February 28, 2021
¿Qué pasaría si Julio Verne hubiese escrito una novela junto con Charles Dickens? Ni idea, pero se me ocurre algo como esto.
May 2, 2013
This graphic novel, the first from Improper Books, written by Benjamin Read and illustrated by Chris Wildgoose, is a wonderful read.
The story is a character driven one, focusing on the charming relationship of Child and Uncle for the most part, as she's introduced to the large stately house and to the workings of the porcelain factory by Uncle, who takes her in as the daughter he never had, but he is hiding a dark secret. The second half features the kind of fairytale horror that you might expect from a novel by Neil Gaiman.
The art from Chris Wildgoose is fantastic, expertly capturing the mood of this Dickensian-era inspired story, and is worth buying for that alone! I'm looking forward to Chris and Benjamin's next collaboration, 'Butterfly Gate'.
If you're a fan of the works of Neil Gaiman, and enjoy stories that are dark and have that fantastical quality to them, then you will enjoy this graphic novel.
The story is a character driven one, focusing on the charming relationship of Child and Uncle for the most part, as she's introduced to the large stately house and to the workings of the porcelain factory by Uncle, who takes her in as the daughter he never had, but he is hiding a dark secret. The second half features the kind of fairytale horror that you might expect from a novel by Neil Gaiman.
The art from Chris Wildgoose is fantastic, expertly capturing the mood of this Dickensian-era inspired story, and is worth buying for that alone! I'm looking forward to Chris and Benjamin's next collaboration, 'Butterfly Gate'.
If you're a fan of the works of Neil Gaiman, and enjoy stories that are dark and have that fantastical quality to them, then you will enjoy this graphic novel.
June 17, 2015
I ummed and aahed about getting this book for several months when entering my local comic shop, in the end, I was at the con and the artist was there and I just couldn't help being sold on the cover art.
An utterly charming book that not only has a lovely story, but with an interesting twist on a magic (read alchemy) system. The art is stunning and writing is lovely. I just hope the sequel comes out soon! I think i'll have to go look at the rest of Improper Books selection in the mean time.
There is also a great section at the back, where other artists have drawn the characters and an explanation for how they drew each of theirs, which I think more comic books need.
An utterly charming book that not only has a lovely story, but with an interesting twist on a magic (read alchemy) system. The art is stunning and writing is lovely. I just hope the sequel comes out soon! I think i'll have to go look at the rest of Improper Books selection in the mean time.
There is also a great section at the back, where other artists have drawn the characters and an explanation for how they drew each of theirs, which I think more comic books need.
April 16, 2020
A really lovely start to a story, with gorgeous illustrations with a slight Art Nouveau edge to them. I enjoyed this very much, but felt it was rather slight; the book is deceptively long with quite a large 'making of'-type section at the back (although very interesting). I will look out for future editions as I would love to follow the story, I just felt this could have done with a bit more to it, it was over almost before the story got going.
January 7, 2016
I got this one as a birthday gift and it was truly amazing. It is a gothic fairy tale -which is precisely what it promises to be, right from the cover. The story is highly enjoyable and the artwork is beautiful. There was one line that stuck with me. When the child goes into Uncle's workshop, she says that it stinks. Then, Uncle answers: "the sources of wealth normally do, my dear", which I thought was pure genious. All in all, a great read.
June 13, 2013
Or 9/10. Rather lovely little twisted fable, beautifully illustrated. Particularly loved the creepy 'friends' and the very angry Belle in all of her incarnations. Reminded me a bit of Angela Carter in graphic novel mode. Not the perfect 10 because I wanted more of the ending, which was quite abrupt (though strangely logical).
Read
August 1, 2013Engagingly peculiar upending of the Bluebeard story into various other fairytale motifs. It almost feels like a genuine (if obscure) fairytale, which is a lot rarer than one might think.
October 10, 2015
The detailed drawings would benefit from simply being printed larger. As is, it's to be read in a well lit room. Consider using a magnifying glass.
October 21, 2014
predictable, noting really new by way of plot or characters. it needed to be longer to develop the characters and their relationship.
February 7, 2015
Beautiful! I love the art in this. And the story was interesting and horrific. Really good.
February 11, 2015
I was not expecting that.
Victorian bluebeard/oliver twist WITH ALCHEMY (or is it).
Victorian bluebeard/oliver twist WITH ALCHEMY (or is it).
December 17, 2018
Masse critique Babelio réussi... je vais courir acheter le tome 2 "Femme" et m'offrir le tome 3 "Mère" à paraître fin février... Bravo Delcourt ;)
Sincèrement, j'ai adoré cette BD. L'histoire est macabre, dérangeante, victorienne, steampunk : un vrai coup de coeur !
Gamine, une vagabonde, une pauvresse vivant dans la rue et se nourrisant grâce au vol, pénètre au sein d'un domaine qui fait peur aux habitants de la ville. En effet, il semblerait qu'un vieux sorcier y vit et terrifie le village !
Elle atterit dans un vaste jardin boisé, et est accueilli par deux molosses à têtes de félin fait... de porcelaine ?!
Elle est finalement invitée par ce mystérieux créateur d'automate et restera avec lui jusqu'à ce qu'il lui révèle le secret de sa fabrication... Qui a-t-il derrière la porte interdite, qui sont ses pantins articulés humanoïdes et d'où vient cette puanteur provenant de l'atelier ?
Les illustrations sont vraiment superbes, on voit bien le travail de longue haleine qui a été effectué. le petit + : un carnet de croquis à la fin permettant d'en savoir plus sur la conception graphique des personnages.
La plongée au cœur de la SF avec la création de ces nouvelles technologies est un ravissement. J'ai de surcroît, vraiment apprécié cette recherche mythologique : la porcelaine prend vit grâce à un seau (runes) et une peinture écarlate. J'ai en sus, retrouvé ce travail d'alchimie fidèle à FMA très noir et expérimental (ramener les morts à la vie) que j'aime tant.
Les personnages sont vraiment bien définis : le Porcelainier est hanté par le souvenir de ses pertes passées et Gamine est en perpétuelle recherche d'amour et d'une cellule familiale stable. Elle déborde d'énergie et son P'pa adoptif se laissera porté aux limites du créationnisme pour ravir sa Gamine.
Bref j'ai adoré :) Merci beaucoup !
Sincèrement, j'ai adoré cette BD. L'histoire est macabre, dérangeante, victorienne, steampunk : un vrai coup de coeur !
Gamine, une vagabonde, une pauvresse vivant dans la rue et se nourrisant grâce au vol, pénètre au sein d'un domaine qui fait peur aux habitants de la ville. En effet, il semblerait qu'un vieux sorcier y vit et terrifie le village !
Elle atterit dans un vaste jardin boisé, et est accueilli par deux molosses à têtes de félin fait... de porcelaine ?!
Elle est finalement invitée par ce mystérieux créateur d'automate et restera avec lui jusqu'à ce qu'il lui révèle le secret de sa fabrication... Qui a-t-il derrière la porte interdite, qui sont ses pantins articulés humanoïdes et d'où vient cette puanteur provenant de l'atelier ?
Les illustrations sont vraiment superbes, on voit bien le travail de longue haleine qui a été effectué. le petit + : un carnet de croquis à la fin permettant d'en savoir plus sur la conception graphique des personnages.
La plongée au cœur de la SF avec la création de ces nouvelles technologies est un ravissement. J'ai de surcroît, vraiment apprécié cette recherche mythologique : la porcelaine prend vit grâce à un seau (runes) et une peinture écarlate. J'ai en sus, retrouvé ce travail d'alchimie fidèle à FMA très noir et expérimental (ramener les morts à la vie) que j'aime tant.
Les personnages sont vraiment bien définis : le Porcelainier est hanté par le souvenir de ses pertes passées et Gamine est en perpétuelle recherche d'amour et d'une cellule familiale stable. Elle déborde d'énergie et son P'pa adoptif se laissera porté aux limites du créationnisme pour ravir sa Gamine.
Bref j'ai adoré :) Merci beaucoup !
August 9, 2021
A sunny day
A beautiful child
Always happy
Blessedly
mild
I came across this series in a local Oxfam but initially decided to give it a miss because they only had volumes 2 and 3. A week went by and it kept nagging at me so I went back and luckily they were still there. Of course, I had to then track down volume 1, and I am glad I did.
This volume starts a little slow but set the scene for a series that promises a lot.
When a small urchin, known only as 'child' is ushered over the wall of a wealthy gentleman's estate her world is turned upside down. Renowned for being a wizard and a recluse, child fears the worst when she is discovered by the gentleman's unique guard dogs. Rather than being cast out, or sent to the police to be hung as a thief, child finds herself being taken in and the gentleman soon becomes 'uncle'.
However, in good fairy tale style, everything isn't as rosy at is seems. Uncle is hiding a truth from child and when it is discovered the story ramps up a notch.
I am looking forward to volume 2 and will be starting it straight away! 3.5 stars.
A beautiful child
Always happy
Blessedly
mild
I came across this series in a local Oxfam but initially decided to give it a miss because they only had volumes 2 and 3. A week went by and it kept nagging at me so I went back and luckily they were still there. Of course, I had to then track down volume 1, and I am glad I did.
This volume starts a little slow but set the scene for a series that promises a lot.
When a small urchin, known only as 'child' is ushered over the wall of a wealthy gentleman's estate her world is turned upside down. Renowned for being a wizard and a recluse, child fears the worst when she is discovered by the gentleman's unique guard dogs. Rather than being cast out, or sent to the police to be hung as a thief, child finds herself being taken in and the gentleman soon becomes 'uncle'.
However, in good fairy tale style, everything isn't as rosy at is seems. Uncle is hiding a truth from child and when it is discovered the story ramps up a notch.
I am looking forward to volume 2 and will be starting it straight away! 3.5 stars.
February 22, 2024
I enjoy fairytales, and I enjoy gothic stories, so this combination of both sounded perfect for me. The concept of the story is pretty cool: an orphan ends up at the mansion of a reclusive scientist, who uses a form of magic to bring to life his automatons made from porcelain.
Unfortunately, I found the story a bit frustrating. The character of the Child is very annoying. She does everything that the Porcelain Maker explicitly tells her not to do, and becomes suspicious of him for no reason, despite his only ever being kind and understanding towards her. I know there would not be a plot without her disobeying his orders, but it makes her come off as spoilt, and not grateful at all, even though he rescused her from starvation and poverty. The climax is also unstaisfying, as it relies on the return of some antagonists, however, their reappearance is never properly explained. The illustrations are nice and clear, with logical flow on from panel to panel, with an appropriately muted colour palette.
Unfortunately, I found the story a bit frustrating. The character of the Child is very annoying. She does everything that the Porcelain Maker explicitly tells her not to do, and becomes suspicious of him for no reason, despite his only ever being kind and understanding towards her. I know there would not be a plot without her disobeying his orders, but it makes her come off as spoilt, and not grateful at all, even though he rescused her from starvation and poverty. The climax is also unstaisfying, as it relies on the return of some antagonists, however, their reappearance is never properly explained. The illustrations are nice and clear, with logical flow on from panel to panel, with an appropriately muted colour palette.
September 24, 2018
The story is about a girl, who is coerced into breaking into the premises of a mysterious Porcelain Maker. Fortunately for her, he takes her in and teaches her the alchemical science he uses to make his, spooky Porcelain made, bipedal & quadrupedal contraptions come to life. However, there is a dark secret the Porcelain Maker is keeping from the girl. This story is a accumulates fairy tale, occult, magick and Gothic concepts quite well. Plus, the dark vibe of the story I thought was gripping.
Also, the artwork was really good. It’s in full colour. It captures the atmosphere of the story perfectly. The character design, facial expressions and location, were all illustrated excellently.
Looking forward to reading the next volume of the story.
Also, the artwork was really good. It’s in full colour. It captures the atmosphere of the story perfectly. The character design, facial expressions and location, were all illustrated excellently.
Looking forward to reading the next volume of the story.
January 23, 2019
A true Gothic graphic novel. (For Young Adults)
I'm generally not a fan of the Gothic dark and dreary, but this was just the right mix of heartfelt and creepy.
Child is a maybe one of the realist representations of a kid I've ever read on-page. She's a spunky guttersnipe, a loving step-daughter, and also a spoiled, bored little girl.
She has this super hesitant and then loving relationship with the man she calls Uncle, who is just a sad, loving, misguided, lonely, and tired adult. They're both very human characters.
The ending and epilogue were hella sad and heartbreaking. (And hella creepy, but mostly sad.)
Would love to see the continuation of the series & hopefully some closure.
I'm generally not a fan of the Gothic dark and dreary, but this was just the right mix of heartfelt and creepy.
Child is a maybe one of the realist representations of a kid I've ever read on-page. She's a spunky guttersnipe, a loving step-daughter, and also a spoiled, bored little girl.
She has this super hesitant and then loving relationship with the man she calls Uncle, who is just a sad, loving, misguided, lonely, and tired adult. They're both very human characters.
The ending and epilogue were hella sad and heartbreaking. (And hella creepy, but mostly sad.)
Would love to see the continuation of the series & hopefully some closure.
September 22, 2021
4.5
I liked the plot and the illustration. I was a bit sad with how it ended but this is a Gothic style of graphic novel, so it was kinda expected. It atmospheric plot and narrative made me connect it with the Poe stories I've read before.
One interesting point is that the main characters of the story do not have names. The other characters do, but the Porcelain Maker and the Child are only called by those common nouns, such as uncle and da (for dad) and girl or child. This separates both from the common folk, as they are alchemists (or a budding one in the case of the girl).
I liked the plot and the illustration. I was a bit sad with how it ended but this is a Gothic style of graphic novel, so it was kinda expected. It atmospheric plot and narrative made me connect it with the Poe stories I've read before.
One interesting point is that the main characters of the story do not have names. The other characters do, but the Porcelain Maker and the Child are only called by those common nouns, such as uncle and da (for dad) and girl or child. This separates both from the common folk, as they are alchemists (or a budding one in the case of the girl).
Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews