Loïc Clément and Anne Montel strike again!
This graphic novel is just such a treat to look at and read. Miss Charity seems so real that I often thought, hey, wait, is this fiction or a biography about a real naturalist/scientist's childhood??
At first, Miss Charity seems like a spoiled little rich girl, with parents who are too busy (dad) or narcissistic (mom) to pay attention to her. And yes she has a maid and a big enough apartment that she can bring wild animals into her house without her mom really noticing.
In the illustrations, we actually see a physical progression in her age, I really appreciate the effort that went into that.
Words can't describe how charming the illustrations are. It's like looking at a dollhouse or inside a rabbit warren... Like you're following snapshots of her life with a microscope or magnifying glass? Lots of little details, emotion, etc. This would be a perfect gift for a 10-13 year old girl who loves science, art or just feels a bit like she's not into traditional girl things (yet not necessarily a tomboy)
The story...
In a way not much happens in the story, Charity grows up, her mother tries to get her the kind of education for for young women of her standing, training in french and piano, but Charity had other things in mind like studying science, memorizing Shakespeare and her ever-growing menagerie! Through her governess she discovers aquarelle and through her father's gift of a nice set of paints we understand that he cares about her in his own way. She weaves together her passion for science and art and creates a field guide to London's mushrooms
One of her (much wealthier) cousins really charms her and I have the feeling that the next volume might bring them closer together in some way we'll see!
I never read the original but it has to be quite good source material to have inspired such an amazing graphic novel! This story made me understand why Little Women, for example, is such a classic. The stories are different, but from what i know if LW, readers really identify with some or all of the girls.