What do you think?
Rate this book
The Gift
The Shining meets Sophia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette in this gripping debut from an award-winning talent.
The Gift opens on the snow-blanketed grounds of the Alexander Palace in Western Russia where a moth has come to attend the birth of the fourth Romanov princess, Anastasia. She and her siblings grow up in a gilded world, isolated from the society beyond the palace walls despite their dominion over it. After mysteriously receiving a camera on her fifteenth birthday, she begins to document her world, but the gift carries with it a weight she can’t yet see. A creature moves on the edge of her vision and stalks her dreams. As the revolution unfolds, the confines of Anastasia’s world keep closing in. Something is following her, and it might not be human.
The Gift opens on the snow-blanketed grounds of the Alexander Palace in Western Russia where a moth has come to attend the birth of the fourth Romanov princess, Anastasia. She and her siblings grow up in a gilded world, isolated from the society beyond the palace walls despite their dominion over it. After mysteriously receiving a camera on her fifteenth birthday, she begins to document her world, but the gift carries with it a weight she can’t yet see. A creature moves on the edge of her vision and stalks her dreams. As the revolution unfolds, the confines of Anastasia’s world keep closing in. Something is following her, and it might not be human.
96 pages, Paperback
Published November 13, 2020
4 people are currently reading
147 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
Read
November 14, 2022A medio camino entre lo biográfico y la ficción, «El regalo» es un cómic delicado y hermoso que habla sobre la figura de Anastasia, la mítica hija pequeña del último zar de Rusia.
Con un uso impresionante de la tinta azul (que contra el blanco del papel reluce como sangre en la nieve), acompañamos a la princesa en sus últimos meses de vida. Recluida en los palacios y, más tarde, a la fuga, la protagonista vive su adolescencia en una cárcel de oro, rodeada solo de su familia y de los guardias que la protegen.
El cómic tiene un punto inquietante: por una parte por cómo esa adolescente vive desde el otro lado —solo a través de ecos y de noticias difusas—, el estallido de la revolución rusa que amenaza no solo su forma de vivir, sino también su propia vida; por otra, por una presencia espectral que la joven empieza a sentir a su alrededor.
Aunque se me ha hecho demasiado corto, me ha parecido un cómic con una aproximación muy diferente a las típicas biografías ilustradas. Artísticamente, lo considero una belleza.
Con un uso impresionante de la tinta azul (que contra el blanco del papel reluce como sangre en la nieve), acompañamos a la princesa en sus últimos meses de vida. Recluida en los palacios y, más tarde, a la fuga, la protagonista vive su adolescencia en una cárcel de oro, rodeada solo de su familia y de los guardias que la protegen.
El cómic tiene un punto inquietante: por una parte por cómo esa adolescente vive desde el otro lado —solo a través de ecos y de noticias difusas—, el estallido de la revolución rusa que amenaza no solo su forma de vivir, sino también su propia vida; por otra, por una presencia espectral que la joven empieza a sentir a su alrededor.
Aunque se me ha hecho demasiado corto, me ha parecido un cómic con una aproximación muy diferente a las típicas biografías ilustradas. Artísticamente, lo considero una belleza.
June 19, 2021
This is a not-too-accurate account of the last days of Anastasia, daughter of Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, and her family. I say not-too-accurate because some details are true- the snowball fight, for instance, and Anastasia's birthday luncheon menu, but other things are, of course, artistic license- we aren't likely to ever know exactly what happened, after all. We see the events from Anastasia's point of view, from the family being under house arrest at the Palace, sheltered from the turmoil outside, to being taken to Siberia, and finally moved to a house by the Bolsheviks, who had captured them. The isolation throughout is palpable, and the mood is one of time about to run out. In this telling, the children don't seem to have been told what is happening, but it feels like they know something bad is coming. Imagine living with that feeling of impending doom! That feeling, that vibe, is a character in itself here, there's a definite twinge of horror going on, getting stronger till the end. The art is moody and deceptively simple; it conveys so much in its limited color scheme of blue. Much of the story is told by the art, and I felt it was done well. I would recommend this to those who like a more subtle horror.
September 2, 2021
"It was clear we were waiting for something, but no one told me what."
Between 3 and 4 stars.
The Gift is an ephemeral, dream-like story that skims the surface, floating, providing an impression of a story. It's vaguely rooted in historical events and people but does not stick to any details that don't suit the needs of the mood (Anastasia here is born on a cold December day, instead of June) or the need for a more impactful layout (the ending scenes--I won't spoil them, but the change to the historical details felt compelled here by the desire for the integration of certain stark effect comic panels). These little changes feel needless, for the most part, and if you know about Romanov history they might just serve as a distraction. But it's the impressions here that matter--the visions of grand duchesses picking fruit in an orchard protected by shadow guards, the close-ups of jewels and wet footprints on palace floors--not the gritty details.
Regardless of accuracy, there's no denying the setting and the character help provide the moody ambience, created with gorgeous blue inks that perfectly fit the tone, which lies somewhere between Picnic at Hanging Rock and Emily Carroll's Through the Woods. The vague historical setting also leaves room for what is left unsaid; for the contrasts between the birthday feasts and the ordinary people living outside, between the massive fur coats lining her mother's closet and the coldness outside.
The book, like its own version of Anastasia, leaves a soft, wistful impression: that in its passing, it has, perhaps, interrupted something.
Between 3 and 4 stars.
The Gift is an ephemeral, dream-like story that skims the surface, floating, providing an impression of a story. It's vaguely rooted in historical events and people but does not stick to any details that don't suit the needs of the mood (Anastasia here is born on a cold December day, instead of June) or the need for a more impactful layout (the ending scenes--I won't spoil them, but the change to the historical details felt compelled here by the desire for the integration of certain stark effect comic panels). These little changes feel needless, for the most part, and if you know about Romanov history they might just serve as a distraction. But it's the impressions here that matter--the visions of grand duchesses picking fruit in an orchard protected by shadow guards, the close-ups of jewels and wet footprints on palace floors--not the gritty details.
Regardless of accuracy, there's no denying the setting and the character help provide the moody ambience, created with gorgeous blue inks that perfectly fit the tone, which lies somewhere between Picnic at Hanging Rock and Emily Carroll's Through the Woods. The vague historical setting also leaves room for what is left unsaid; for the contrasts between the birthday feasts and the ordinary people living outside, between the massive fur coats lining her mother's closet and the coldness outside.
The book, like its own version of Anastasia, leaves a soft, wistful impression: that in its passing, it has, perhaps, interrupted something.
May 23, 2021
Thanks to the publisher for providing an eARC of The Gift in exchange for an honest review.
I was over halfway through this when I realized that the ARC I received definitely had the panels in the wrong order and it wasn't just intentionally bizarrely time jumpy. I still finished it since I was almost done anyways, but I'm exceptionally underqualified to write an actual review here. The art was interest and I think the actual concept is interesting, but I'm not sure whether or not it was executed well.
I was over halfway through this when I realized that the ARC I received definitely had the panels in the wrong order and it wasn't just intentionally bizarrely time jumpy. I still finished it since I was almost done anyways, but I'm exceptionally underqualified to write an actual review here. The art was interest and I think the actual concept is interesting, but I'm not sure whether or not it was executed well.
December 24, 2022
Anastasia (sí, la de los zares) recibe una cámara en su cumpleaños y se dedica a sacar fotos mientras las cosas cambian a su alrededor.
El regalo es un cómic atmosférico y muy peculiar, creo que la autora es extraordinariamente buena a la hora de plasmar el espacio y el costumbrismo. Me ha gustado mucho el dibujo y el color y también el punto de vista tan particular para una historia ya conocida. La cámara funciona casi como un elemento sobrenatural, como el testigo de todo lo malo que está a punto de pasar.
Se me ha hecho un poco corto, no me habría importado tener veinte o treinta páginas más de Anastasia sacando fotos fantasmales por el palacio.
El regalo es un cómic atmosférico y muy peculiar, creo que la autora es extraordinariamente buena a la hora de plasmar el espacio y el costumbrismo. Me ha gustado mucho el dibujo y el color y también el punto de vista tan particular para una historia ya conocida. La cámara funciona casi como un elemento sobrenatural, como el testigo de todo lo malo que está a punto de pasar.
Se me ha hecho un poco corto, no me habría importado tener veinte o treinta páginas más de Anastasia sacando fotos fantasmales por el palacio.
October 18, 2022
3.5
Very atmospheric, this short graphic novel is a vague retelling of the last days of Anastasia Romanov, composed by a series of snippets of her life and some introspective glimpses of her thoughts.
I actually enjoyed the art here, full of evocative inky blues, and it was a pleasant read over all, even though you could say it doesn't have much substance as a full plotted story. So yeah, read it for the mood...
Very atmospheric, this short graphic novel is a vague retelling of the last days of Anastasia Romanov, composed by a series of snippets of her life and some introspective glimpses of her thoughts.
I actually enjoyed the art here, full of evocative inky blues, and it was a pleasant read over all, even though you could say it doesn't have much substance as a full plotted story. So yeah, read it for the mood...
Read
April 1, 2023Medio relato costumbrista, medio historia de fantasmas. Me fascina que un cómic contado a través de fotografías sea de color azul cianotípia.
May 10, 2022
Haunting
July 31, 2023
«Nací en enero, un día gélido, mientras la vida permanecía suspendida…»
Viejo es el mito de las cámaras de fotos que, al tomar tu imagen, también se llevaban un pedazo de tu alma con ellas. Un instante arrancado del hilo del tiempo y estampado en el negativo, transcrito entre luces y sombras hasta su gran revelación. La ilustración de un momento, instantáneamente pasado, que trascenderá a las vidas de las personas fotografiadas, producto vestigial de un entonces en el que no se conocía el final. Sin embargo, al debut de la artista Zoe Maeve entramos conociendo (o creyendo conocer) el destino de la familia del último zar de Rusia, por lo que las fotografías de Anastasia, como la nieve que rodea al Palacio de Alejandro o como las mariposas que revolotean por las páginas, abandonadas ya sus protectoras crisálidas, pronto se disolverán en mero recuerdo de lo perdido.
El regalo nos cuenta los últimos días de la familia Románov, desde el nacimiento de Anastasia y, más tarde, de su hermano, pasando por las ascuas de la Revolución Rusa y la reclusión de Nicolás II en su palacio, hasta llegar a la Casa Ipátiev donde serían asesinados. Pero este no es un cómic histórico ni pretende narrar este episodio violento, sino que este es el relato de Anastasia, de la relación con su familia y de su particular percepción del mundo una vez que recibe un misterioso regalo cuya procedencia desconoce: una cámara de fotos. Pese a la cotidianeidad de muchos de los episodios narrados por Maeve, la historia está narrada con cierta frialdad, con la ausencia de calidez que provocan los acontecimientos en la mente de una adolescente que trata de buscar sentido al mundo.
[Continúa en Globos de Pensamiento]
Viejo es el mito de las cámaras de fotos que, al tomar tu imagen, también se llevaban un pedazo de tu alma con ellas. Un instante arrancado del hilo del tiempo y estampado en el negativo, transcrito entre luces y sombras hasta su gran revelación. La ilustración de un momento, instantáneamente pasado, que trascenderá a las vidas de las personas fotografiadas, producto vestigial de un entonces en el que no se conocía el final. Sin embargo, al debut de la artista Zoe Maeve entramos conociendo (o creyendo conocer) el destino de la familia del último zar de Rusia, por lo que las fotografías de Anastasia, como la nieve que rodea al Palacio de Alejandro o como las mariposas que revolotean por las páginas, abandonadas ya sus protectoras crisálidas, pronto se disolverán en mero recuerdo de lo perdido.
El regalo nos cuenta los últimos días de la familia Románov, desde el nacimiento de Anastasia y, más tarde, de su hermano, pasando por las ascuas de la Revolución Rusa y la reclusión de Nicolás II en su palacio, hasta llegar a la Casa Ipátiev donde serían asesinados. Pero este no es un cómic histórico ni pretende narrar este episodio violento, sino que este es el relato de Anastasia, de la relación con su familia y de su particular percepción del mundo una vez que recibe un misterioso regalo cuya procedencia desconoce: una cámara de fotos. Pese a la cotidianeidad de muchos de los episodios narrados por Maeve, la historia está narrada con cierta frialdad, con la ausencia de calidez que provocan los acontecimientos en la mente de una adolescente que trata de buscar sentido al mundo.
[Continúa en Globos de Pensamiento]
August 9, 2021
THE GIFT is a creepy and unique graphic novel that features the famed and ill-fated Romanov royal family, with a particular focus on young Anastasia. Anyone familiar with the actual story of Anastasia (and not just the 1990s animated movie) will know not to expect a happy ending. (Although, there was a bit of scenery that included a flying bat, and I wondered if this was a little jokey reference to the cute sidekick animal in the cartoon).
July 4, 2023
It was short and sweet, but didn't leave me with the introspection many graphic novels of this nature had done before. Solid four stars, though.
January 6, 2023
Todos conocemos el asesinato de la familia imperial rusa en 1918 ,el zar Nicolás II, su esposa, la zarina Alejandra, y sus cinco hijos Olga, Tatiana, Maria, Anastasia y Alekséi y también conocemos los rumores que hubo sobre si Anastasia había sobrevivido plasmados en libros,películas o documentales.
Hoy os traigo un cómic que nos cuenta los últimos días de Anastasia Románov y su familia desviando un poco los hechos históricos en cuanto a fechas ,escenarios y detalles" debido a que gira en torno a un enigmático regalo que la princesa recibe el día de su decimoquinto cumpleaños, una cámara de fotos. Un regalo que no sabe quién le ha hecho.
Encerrados primero en su palacio y después en una casa custodiados por los bolcheviques y sometidos a su voluntad nos va enseñando su mundo a través de sus fotos y vamos viendo como a medida que la revolución avanza, la vida de Anastasia se estrecha .
Un solo color , azul, en distintos tonos protagoniza un cómic que transmite la fragilidad de los personajes y esa sensación de que algo malo va a pasar.
Un cómic muy corto que se lee de una sentada y que si lo leeis debéis tener en cuenta que no es un relato histórico sino un relato sobre la percepción de Anastasia sobre sus últimos días y con las licencias que la autora ha creído pertinente para dotar al cómic de un sutil toque de realismo mágico.
Hoy os traigo un cómic que nos cuenta los últimos días de Anastasia Románov y su familia desviando un poco los hechos históricos en cuanto a fechas ,escenarios y detalles" debido a que gira en torno a un enigmático regalo que la princesa recibe el día de su decimoquinto cumpleaños, una cámara de fotos. Un regalo que no sabe quién le ha hecho.
Encerrados primero en su palacio y después en una casa custodiados por los bolcheviques y sometidos a su voluntad nos va enseñando su mundo a través de sus fotos y vamos viendo como a medida que la revolución avanza, la vida de Anastasia se estrecha .
Un solo color , azul, en distintos tonos protagoniza un cómic que transmite la fragilidad de los personajes y esa sensación de que algo malo va a pasar.
Un cómic muy corto que se lee de una sentada y que si lo leeis debéis tener en cuenta que no es un relato histórico sino un relato sobre la percepción de Anastasia sobre sus últimos días y con las licencias que la autora ha creído pertinente para dotar al cómic de un sutil toque de realismo mágico.
August 22, 2021
I was on the fence about what to give this one.
On one hand, the art is simplistic but lovely, and the author definitely did enough research to know some specific details.
Pictures were re-created for example. They mention someone saying all four girls bleeding more than normal, which their Aunt Olga was said to have believed. They think it's likely Maria was a carrier of hemophilia, she's said to have bled a great deal when her tonsils were removed. They also have them sewing jewels into their corsets/bodices.
But there were factual errors almost immediately that took me out of it. (Anastasia was born in Summer, not January dead of winter. Anastasia threw the snowball at Tatiana, not Maria). Admittedly the author does say she strayed from some dates/facts at the end, but when she clearly knew a lot it doesn't make sense to me.
It was certainly an interesting supernatural little story, very pretty art, and oh how I wished at the end they'd escaped.
On one hand, the art is simplistic but lovely, and the author definitely did enough research to know some specific details.
Pictures were re-created for example. They mention someone saying all four girls bleeding more than normal, which their Aunt Olga was said to have believed. They think it's likely Maria was a carrier of hemophilia, she's said to have bled a great deal when her tonsils were removed. They also have them sewing jewels into their corsets/bodices.
But there were factual errors almost immediately that took me out of it. (Anastasia was born in Summer, not January dead of winter. Anastasia threw the snowball at Tatiana, not Maria). Admittedly the author does say she strayed from some dates/facts at the end, but when she clearly knew a lot it doesn't make sense to me.
It was certainly an interesting supernatural little story, very pretty art, and oh how I wished at the end they'd escaped.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 5, 2021
This was described to me as a paranormal story, but it isn't really, despite Anastasia's strange dreams and apparitions in the corner of her view. This is more of a snapshot into the life of Anastasia, youngest daughter of the doomed Romanovs, a glimpse into the last days of a child who didn't know or understand the major events going on around her that led to her family's execution by revolutionaries. It's dreamlike thin on details, since the kid's attention is mostly concerned with wandering around playing with her camera, not delving into politics or the minds of other characters, so if you don't already know the history, you might not understand what's going on. This seems aimed more for readers who already know a bit about this part of Russian history, perhaps meant to lend some everyman humanity to these famous children and some poignancy to their deaths.
September 30, 2022
A blue-tinged comics rendition of the last days of Anastasia, daughter of Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, and her family in 1901. Has a kind of ethereal feel, as Anastasia seems to have dreams and visions that tinge her view of the world. If we know the history of the Romanovs, we know what moving to Siberia means for them, so there's a sense of foreboding, even horror, though seen from her point of view, so she never really knows what is going on. Which adds to the horror. It reminded me just a bit of Emily Carroll's horror comics, a picture of innocence as huge global incidents come crashing down in western Russia.
November 14, 2024
The art for this book is beautiful. The story telling is dream-like. Nothing quite feels real, but also it feels known. The way it’s all leading up to a moment u know is happening, but it still surprises u when it finally does. Like there’s no way to change it but u know it won’t end well. All coming from the perspective of an innocent child that doesn’t understand what’s happening, completely unaware of the world falling apart around her. Asking questions but never getting the answers. Poor girl didn’t deserve what happened
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 3, 2023
I liked it. Bought this for a buck because the whole book is printed in my favorite shade and of blue. I must admit there's a certain fragility and wispiness to the art-style that I'm not a fan of, but that's simply preference. The art's good and I liked the story. One nitpick: Alexei's medical condition is completely forgotten after the first 10 pages, so why introduce it to the reader in the first place? It's not like it has any consequence to the story. Oh well.
July 27, 2021
This short graphic novel is exactly my specific cup of tea. An imagined story of the last days of the doomed duchess Anastasia, Zoe Maeve explores what it must’ve been like for her and her family. She explores her obsession with photography and chronically everything around her. I thoroughly enjoyed the story, the art, and the stunningly limited colour palette used to help convey the melancholy.
February 3, 2023
A beautiful and haunting short graphic novel about the final days of princess Anastasia and her family. The pages progress in a dreamlike manner and express the detached feeling of knowing that you're waiting for something, but not what that is.
The beautiful blue ink gives an added richness to the pages
The beautiful blue ink gives an added richness to the pages
November 4, 2024
art style was great. frigid blue ink in this monochromatic comic was a clever choice. i was not familiar with the romanov family during the early 1910s revolution so i had to look up an explanation. I liked the eerie feel of this story and how it captured a kid's life during a war where something is off but you don't know what is about to happen.
February 11, 2026
160×205 ¦ $18
Narrative: **
This seems unfinished to me, despite the finality of the ending, since it reads shockingly quickly and only touches subjects instead of building any story into them.
Visual: ****
Yet it's beautiful to behold- her brush is excellent rendering the dreamy atmosphere!
Narrative: **
This seems unfinished to me, despite the finality of the ending, since it reads shockingly quickly and only touches subjects instead of building any story into them.
Visual: ****
Yet it's beautiful to behold- her brush is excellent rendering the dreamy atmosphere!
July 27, 2021
Based loosely on the final days the life of Anastasia and her family, this graphic novel was extremely haunting. There are so many loose ends that are not tied up, and the author defiantly took the liberty to change and add details.
September 8, 2021
Simplistic and haunting, but a little skimpy on the details. I don't really know the story of Anastasia, so I wasn't sure what was happening here. But I appreciated the art and how it conveyed the story.
July 13, 2023
Ilustraciones y edición bellísimas. El final llega de forma abrupta, en comparación con el ritmo suave que mueve a la protagonista desde las primeras páginas. Te quedas con ganas de leer más, de pasar más tiempo en ese mundo precioso, teñido de azul y blanco.
September 11, 2023
This felt like a not-very-interesting short film. The art is not very distinguished looking and dread does most of the heavy lifting, narratively. What, I wonder, did the artist find compelling about this idea because I don't see it.
May 30, 2024
A retelling of the story of Anastasia. While not particularly keen on following dates or historical fact, it's a gorgeous volume and impactful story told through the eyes of a child. This one really struck me, and I recommend checking it out for yourself if given the opportunity.
April 1, 2026
2.5
Lovely art and great print quality with those rich blues, but the story was really lacking. It didn't really bring anything new to the historical story, nor was it factual and informative. A rather bland read, unfortunately.
Lovely art and great print quality with those rich blues, but the story was really lacking. It didn't really bring anything new to the historical story, nor was it factual and informative. A rather bland read, unfortunately.
July 25, 2021
Haunting, with beautiful artwork.
August 31, 2021
Good on atmosphere and the feeling of loneliness, more of a snapshot of days rather than a cohesive story. All drifting towards dreamy and vague conclusion.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews