Reynard's Tale: A Story of Love and Mischief

by Ben Hatke

In this atmospheric tribute to the medieval folklore tradition of trickster tales starring Reynard the fox, beloved children's cartoonist Ben Hatke turns his pen to a very special project for adult readers.

Inspired by the 12th century tales of the indomitable trickster fox Reynard, this offbeat tribute to the archetypal rogue has a satisfyingly old-fashioned feeling to it. Although this Reynard adventure is entirely the creation of modern fairytale master Ben Hatke (Mighty Jack), it fits seamlessly into the body of Reynard tales still beloved in Europe to this day.

Featuring evocative, charming black-and-white illustrations and a swiftly moving narrative, Reynard's Tale follows our hero through a series of encounters with other classic figures from this body of folklore to piece together a headlong journey through a perilous landscape filled with murderers, kings, ex-lovers, mermaids, and even Death herself.

Genres: Fantasy, Graphic Novels, Fiction, Adult, Comics, Adventure, Adult Fiction

80 pages, Hardcover

Published April 18, 2023

About the author

Ben Hatke is an author and illustrator of graphic novels and picture books. Most notably he is the creator of the Zita the Spacegirl graphic novel series.

He posts art and stories online at:

www.benhatke.com

Reviews

[Bookish_Aly_Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book unlike any I’ve read before. Reynard’s Tale is a quick read, beautifully written in an illustrated novel format. The artwork pairs really well with the story and definitely adds to its charm. This is a great book for anyone who is a fan of poetry and folk tales. I would definitely say that this is too mature for children to read, but it’s one I highly recommend.

[Nadine in California · Rating 3 out of 5]

Impulsive pick up from the New Books shelf at the library, and read in its entirety while cooking breakfast (half the book is pictures, plus lots of white space). If I was more familiar with the medieval originals I might find more to appreciate, but still I loved the whiff of medieval, seasoned with a little 21st century sensibility although it puts my nose out of joint that the old coot Reynard is suddenly and undeservedly the happy daddy. Not to mention lucky with ladies that are too young for him. (I wouldn't have minded the Wife of Bath popping in to rough him up a little.) The feminist surprise ending feels thought up by someone who thinks they're feminist, without really understanding the concept.

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s a little weird but I liked it. Not sure who the target audience is…. It’s a very simply worded story and illustrated like it’s a picture book for really little kids but some of it is a bit risqué. I had fun reading it but the intended audience seems to be adults that like light fantasy and don’t mind reading a picture book for relaxation.

[Fiona · Rating 3 out of 5]

I expected this to be a graphic novel but it's more like a picture book. The plot is odd and I enjoyed the ending but the whole thing feels unpolished. But maybe that's because I was expecting another Zita the Spacegirl; as a picture book it's quite good.

[Victoria B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book!

I really enjoyed this graphic novel. It was unlike anything I’ve read and the illustrations were beautiful. I definitely recommend this. It is gorgeous.

[J.M. (Joe) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reynard is a fox and a rogue who flees the king’s summons for reasons unknown save that he’s a rascal. He is pursued by his cousin, the king’s wolf and hunter, and he comes across several former companions. Reynard claims to be cunning and wily, though this is only partly true in my opinion, for he really does nothing cunning, yet he is wily. The story is as abrupt as Reynard is fleet of foot, and its pages are replete with scratchy illustrations that are, as said, scratchy, but still nice and organic and interesting. I liked this quick tale overall, though it is read within minutes, which doesn’t support its high price tag. Most definitely a library read, where I sat and read it in about 10 minutes. Three swift stars.

Note: I definitely prefer another book of Hatke’s, "Things in the Basement,’ which is well worth reading!

[Becky B · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reynard the fox has a wandering soul and a knack for trouble, but even he who is wanted by kings, tailed by cousins, and stalked by Death can find one thing that will hold him to one place for more than a season.

For those who are fans of Hatke’s children’s books (like me) know that this is very different. The best way I can think to explain it without giving spoilers is to imagine him writing a brief version of one of the Three Musketeers’ stories and you’d have a pretty good picture of what this is like. It’s much more sophisticated, it’s aimed at an adult audience, it ponders things like wandering hearts and desires for adventure and the feeling of death being near. It’s a bit to chew on but ultimately felt somber to me. I enjoy Hatke’s artwork, and I love his children’s stories but this kind of felt meh to me. I can’t decide if that’s because I was expecting something more like his children’s stories (probably) or if it was because this felt too short and a bit choppy or rushed in places to bridge the gap between one illustration and the next. I might have liked this better as a wordless book where readers get to imagine the story between the illustrations themselves. Maybe. It was ok, but not as good as his other books in my opinion. That also might be because I have never heard of the Reynard folktales before. Perhaps if I knew the trickster tales I’d appreciate this more. So take my rating with a grain of salt in that I’m mostly just disappointed Reynard isn’t Zita or Jack, who I adore, and I didn't read any blurbs about this before jumping in. Recommended to those who like short, philosophical, rogue adventurer, pondering type graphic novels.

Notes on contents [based on the ARC]: Two minor swears. No sex scenes but there is a water sprite with a bare chest from the side and in one scene Reynard awakes in bed with an inn keeper who appears to be naked (only her back is shown). Reynard seems a bit of a player with multiple ladies who greet him as a special friend along his journey. Violence is implied at one point but not shown. Wine is shown being consumed.

I received an ARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Bibliophileverse · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is one of its kind. A folklore written in a poetic verse which takes you to old times. I have never read a book so beautiful and interesting. The plot ferries us to our childhood with its alluring verses. And, if you are also a fan of poems and folk tales, then you cannot miss this one.

Definitely, 5 stars to the book. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me an opportunity to read and review the book.

Read more on https://www.instagram.com/p/CkEFQRwSuBl/

[Jenn Marshall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reynard's Tale is stories told by a trickster (Reynard) told with an illustrated novel format. I really enjoyed the story and the artwork was a perfect fit. I have read both the Zita and MIghty Jack series and loved them. I can't wait to get my physical copy of Reynard's Tale.

[Larakaa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fairy tale for adults that makes you feel like a kid again. A bit gloomy, a bit spooky but never too much.

[Katie Florida · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful, jaunty tale of danger, longing, and mischief. A more mature story than is typical for Hatke, so give it a read before deciding when to pass it to your littles.

[Machaia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I followed along with this tale in its first iteration when Ben Hatke posted it in installments on Instagram. How lovely to be able to hold it in my hands in book form (and such a beautiful book it is)! It was cool to see the things that had stayed the same and the ways it grew and expanded from the original telling. A story well told and wonderfully rendered.

[Ashlee Null · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 rounded up. Will forever be obsessed with Hatke’s artwork.

[Aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting take on Reynard tale. Beautiful illustrations showing us the story that is written lyrically. Very quick read. Too sophisticated for the young.

[Aaron · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one's for all you freaks who lusted after Disney's Robin Hood.

[Starr ❇✌❇ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This reminds me of stories of my childhood and it was honestly a delight. The art is, of course, great, and has that nostalgic, simply magical charm Hatke's work is always infused with, and Reynars feels so familiar to me immediately. I'm not sure what the actual target age is for this, but it reminded me of listening to The Hobbit when I was just a tiny kid being read to sleep- the kind of story that you might understand better as an adult, but that easily rouses your imagination and gets stuck in the very craw of you forever as a child. I just love this mix of fantasy and near whimsy with the down to earth adultness of a wandering man perhaps past his prime or at least coming on the edge of exhausted.

[Natalie Pietro · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautiful book brings a tale of love and mischief to the readers imagination. The story flows ever so whimsically through this book making the story delightful. I love the blue cover and naked mermaid laying next to the stories hero. This books maturity level made me giddy with pleasure. I long to be a mistress in distress like so many Raynard run into. The woman are powerful creatures longing to be loved. Never giving into the trouble the wondering Raynard might bring. Escaping through a lovers egress is the only way to survive. The artwork between each page makes your imagination dance with excitement of what might come. This book was short, sweet, and great for a quick afternoon read.

[Kristine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sigh. I made myself comfy so I could savor this, unfortunately it was over too soon! Lovely artwork (as always from Ben Hatke) that pairs perfectly with the storyline. You will wish that you could meet Reynard out there in the Borderland and share an adventure or simply sit by the fire for a story and a bottle of red. Sigh.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a scholar of medieval literature and folk tales, this was a fantastic short romp down a long loved path that winds in the mist of a familiar forest. Makes me want to read some Chaucer with a hot cup of tea and some biscuits.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so fun! It’s got the feel of a more folkloric Disney’s Robin Hood. Medieval, atmospheric fun!

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

A ramble through memory skirting Death and seeking adventure.

[BiblioBeruthiel · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5

[Joanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my favorite (though still with his winsome charm) and not for kids!

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful allegory lovingly illustrated by an author with a clear love for its inspirational material.

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly unique and wonderful, richly detailed and a joy to dive into. A break from Hatke's usual audience, but older fans will be delighted to find themselves as the target audience.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fine but I expected a bit more from BH as he’s so very brilliant.

[Jeska · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grownups need fairytales too, and this was a lovely little adventure that I will be revisiting again and again. (The illustrations are delightful as well.)

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book looks like a children’s graphic novel, but it is not. I may have hugged it though.

[Sharon Tyler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reynard's Tale: A Story of Love and Mischief by Ben Hatke is currently scheduled for release on April 18 2023. Inspired by the 12th century tales of the indomitable trickster fox Reynard, this offbeat tribute to the archetypal rogue has a satisfyingly old-fashioned feeling to it. Although this Reynard adventure is entirely the creation of modern fairytale master Ben Hatke (Mighty Jack), it fits seamlessly into the body of Reynard tales still beloved in Europe to this day.

Reynard's Tale is not quite what I expected from Hatke. I have adored everything from the author previously, so I could not turn down a change at this book. This book is aimed much more at adults than the middle grade and teen audience that I typically recommend their graphic novels to. As a reader with some folklore knowledge of Reynard I think that it will make much more sense to readers that have at least some knowledge of Reynard's trickster reputation than those that might be coming into the story fresh. The format is a little different than I expected. I was expecting a more typical graphic novel format, but this book is set in in alternating pages of text and illustration, this is not a bad, it just was not what I had thought I would see. As expected, I fully enjoyed Hatke's art style. There are hidden bits of information and clues in every page, and I think the back and white artworks lends itself to this story and format perfectly.

Reynard's Tale is an interesting exploration of a folklore character. It is not quite what I expected, but is definitely unique and will be a favorite for some.

[Shananana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was honestly more confused by this book than anything else. It's laid out like a children's picture book with simplistic prose and full-page illustrations, but some of the content was pretty risqué. I'm not a parent myself, but I can't imagine wanting my child to read a book with partial nudity in the illustrations and implied sexual encounters. Even if this is geared towards the middle-grade audience (which I still think is a questionable age for topless women in a picture book), I feel like the middle-grade readers I know would be put off by a book formatted like a picture book instead of a true graphic novel. This book was cute enough for me as an adult reader, but I'm still left confused as to its intended audience. I was hoping for something that referenced some known myths and legends, but instead I got a completely original story and characters - again, not outright a bad thing, but confusing based on the brief description. Overall this one gets 3/5 ⭐️

Best of the book: The beautiful illustrations.
Worst of the book: I get that show-don't-tell is a thing, but it felt like half of the plot of this book was implied.