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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
dark
fast-paced
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I found Through the Woods to be an interesting way to explore familiar themes in fairy tales through unfamiliar stories. I haven't been seeing much discourse on or appreciation for "Our Neighbor's House," but I think it was my favorite of the book. I was really intrigued by the last few images, with Beth's expression becoming an enigmatic smile as the hat is put onto her head and the text reads "My sisters were wrong about one thing: while the brim of his hat is very wide, and while he does smile (indeed it looks impossible for him to do anything else), it is obvious just at a glance, HE IS NO MAN" (p. 35-36). I enjoy the ambiguity of it as the story teeters on the cusp of comfort and fear with the lack of explanation, alongside the warmly lit house with silhouettes in the windows. If I had to pick an ending, I think I'd read this story as allegory of illness with Beth's sisters dying in the night, delusional from fever, and Beth dying on the walk to their neighbor's house. The unusually comforting end after a walk characterized by hunger, thirst, and cold, to me, makes it a story of reunion after death, and makes the smiling man into a grim reaper figure. Not evil, nor good, per say, but a catalyst for reunion in a place beyond harm.
The second story, "A Lady's Hands are Cold" had an unexpected ending, for me. The girl tearing apart a home she was forced into, hoping to make the singer whole again is so tender, especially the page on which she cradles the cold and fragile severed hands she finds in the wall. The girl grows more haunted throughout the steps she takes to collect the pieces of the lady with cold hands, tying her back together with ribbon. I don't know that every story in this book is meant to be didactic, but this one feels like a stark reminder that kindness will not always be rewarded, and that harm can be caused by no fault of your own. The lady with cold hands, despite her desire for vengeance does free the girl, though, finally forcing her to run. It feels very intentional in the writing, that the girl is never a lady or a woman. She is younger than she should be for the role she's forced into. The end, again, is ambiguous, as the girl develops a blue hue to her hands and face after having the necklace that had been used to strangle the lady ripped from her, and running through the gardens; begging the question of whether this has made her into the lady with cold hands. I may be getting too deep into this analysis.
The third story, "His Face All Red" is, alas, one that I didn't remember at all, a few days after reading the book. It is a good one; well written and mysterious, about jealousy and the importance of place and action.
The fourth story, "My Friend Janna" was an interesting twist on the fake psychic. With the characters changing clothes and lighting, it was sometimes hard to tell apart some of the characters. I'm not sure what to make of the ending.
The fifth story, "The Nesting Place," was creepy as hell, in the best way. It was the longest in the book, and had a strong, upsetting plot. Mabel's ability to keep herself safe by manipulating the creatures experiences in isolation and inexperience with city life was cool as hell. The twist on the final page was unexpected. It was one of the clearest of the bunch, while also being one of the strongest, meaning that I don't really have a ton to analyze about it, other than to say how much I like it.
The conclusion loops back around to being didactic, in the best way. It ends with a reminder that safety is relative. That you need to be lucky every time you walk in the woods, to avoid the wolf, "but the wolf... the wolf only needs enough luck to find you once." (p. 205).
This book is beautiful in its illustrations. I really appreciated the simplicity of the beginning and ending pages, with the blue cloaked figure waking across the shadowed night to find their home.
ranking from favorite to least:
1. Our Neighbor's House
2. The Nesting Place
3. The Conclusion
4-6 on equal standing: His Face All Red, My Friend Janna, and A Lady's Hands are Cold
The second story, "A Lady's Hands are Cold" had an unexpected ending, for me. The girl tearing apart a home she was forced into, hoping to make the singer whole again is so tender, especially the page on which she cradles the cold and fragile severed hands she finds in the wall. The girl grows more haunted throughout the steps she takes to collect the pieces of the lady with cold hands, tying her back together with ribbon. I don't know that every story in this book is meant to be didactic, but this one feels like a stark reminder that kindness will not always be rewarded, and that harm can be caused by no fault of your own. The lady with cold hands, despite her desire for vengeance does free the girl, though, finally forcing her to run. It feels very intentional in the writing, that the girl is never a lady or a woman. She is younger than she should be for the role she's forced into. The end, again, is ambiguous, as the girl develops a blue hue to her hands and face after having the necklace that had been used to strangle the lady ripped from her, and running through the gardens; begging the question of whether this has made her into the lady with cold hands. I may be getting too deep into this analysis.
The third story, "His Face All Red" is, alas, one that I didn't remember at all, a few days after reading the book. It is a good one; well written and mysterious, about jealousy and the importance of place and action.
The fourth story, "My Friend Janna" was an interesting twist on the fake psychic. With the characters changing clothes and lighting, it was sometimes hard to tell apart some of the characters. I'm not sure what to make of the ending.
The fifth story, "The Nesting Place," was creepy as hell, in the best way. It was the longest in the book, and had a strong, upsetting plot. Mabel's ability to keep herself safe by manipulating the creatures experiences in isolation and inexperience with city life was cool as hell. The twist on the final page was unexpected. It was one of the clearest of the bunch, while also being one of the strongest, meaning that I don't really have a ton to analyze about it, other than to say how much I like it.
The conclusion loops back around to being didactic, in the best way. It ends with a reminder that safety is relative. That you need to be lucky every time you walk in the woods, to avoid the wolf, "but the wolf... the wolf only needs enough luck to find you once." (p. 205).
This book is beautiful in its illustrations. I really appreciated the simplicity of the beginning and ending pages, with the blue cloaked figure waking across the shadowed night to find their home.
ranking from favorite to least:
1. Our Neighbor's House
2. The Nesting Place
3. The Conclusion
4-6 on equal standing: His Face All Red, My Friend Janna, and A Lady's Hands are Cold
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder
Moderate: Confinement
This is an extremely difficult review to write because I don't think I've written a single review of a graphic novel before. But I had to tell you all about this one. Through the Woods was easily one of my favorite books of 2014, but I finished it on New Year's Eve and so it didn't make it to the End of the Year Survey.
The moment I saw the cover of this book, I knew I had to have it. The artwork just spoke to me. I knew nothing about Through the Woods at all when I purchased it - I didn't even know it was a graphic novel. But I'm so happy I took the plunge and splurged on this title because it is a beautiful addition to my shelves, both inside and out. The artwork on the cover is just a glimpse of the beauty that is to come between the pages. The entire book is in full color, too, which I thought was impressive and it really excited me. (I'm so used to manga which typically only uses color on the cover.) The artist uses a very simple color pallet for each page, which I think does justice to the quietly terrifying stories.
Now, the stories. These retellings aren't exactly what you'd expect. They hold the horror of the original tales - do not expect some Disney-fied adaptations here. But what's more is that Carroll adds her own spin on each fairy tale. Of course, they harken back to the original, but every story has its own surprise ending that I didn't expect. It became a game almost, reading this, because you knew there was a twist coming, but they were written so perfectly, you couldn't really figure them out until they hit you full-force in the face.
I had never heard of Emily Carroll before picking up Through the Woods but hers is certainly a name I'm on the watch for now. Not only has she mastered the art of suspense and horror, dishing out the gore right when it was needed, and holding back long enough to create the best kind of tension - her artwork is the kind I'd like to frame and hang on my walls. Consider me the newest Carroll fan; I will be looking out for any and all future work. Seriously, if the cover and these pictures call to you at all, you really need to pick this one up and read it. In one sitting, though. And maybe not at night.
The moment I saw the cover of this book, I knew I had to have it. The artwork just spoke to me. I knew nothing about Through the Woods at all when I purchased it - I didn't even know it was a graphic novel. But I'm so happy I took the plunge and splurged on this title because it is a beautiful addition to my shelves, both inside and out. The artwork on the cover is just a glimpse of the beauty that is to come between the pages. The entire book is in full color, too, which I thought was impressive and it really excited me. (I'm so used to manga which typically only uses color on the cover.) The artist uses a very simple color pallet for each page, which I think does justice to the quietly terrifying stories.
Now, the stories. These retellings aren't exactly what you'd expect. They hold the horror of the original tales - do not expect some Disney-fied adaptations here. But what's more is that Carroll adds her own spin on each fairy tale. Of course, they harken back to the original, but every story has its own surprise ending that I didn't expect. It became a game almost, reading this, because you knew there was a twist coming, but they were written so perfectly, you couldn't really figure them out until they hit you full-force in the face.
I had never heard of Emily Carroll before picking up Through the Woods but hers is certainly a name I'm on the watch for now. Not only has she mastered the art of suspense and horror, dishing out the gore right when it was needed, and holding back long enough to create the best kind of tension - her artwork is the kind I'd like to frame and hang on my walls. Consider me the newest Carroll fan; I will be looking out for any and all future work. Seriously, if the cover and these pictures call to you at all, you really need to pick this one up and read it. In one sitting, though. And maybe not at night.
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
I would rate it higher if I could. I don't normally like horror, but oh wow was this good. The art was gorgeous and the stories were so well-constructed. Less violent and more spooky than I anticipated, which is my kind of scary story. Love love LOVE.
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Very quick read. I didn't find it scary at all, not even creepy. I still really enjoyed it. Gorgeous illustrations!