Reviews

Porcelain: A Gothic Fairy Tale by Benjamin Read, Chris Wildgoose

reverienne's review

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challenging dark emotional

5.0

A brilliantly told and drawn story that haunts you even years after. It's really intense, though, and I'm not sure whether I would be able to read it for the second time.

mychemicalseal's review

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3.0

it was okay for a story, but i don't think it was long enough to really make the narrative fully realised?

bearregretsthis's review

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dark emotional mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

medievaljenga's review

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dark mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

celia_hf's review

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5.0

I heard of this graphic novel years ago and was sold but the cover and subtitle a gothic fairy tale.
The story is indeed nods or popular fairy tale but has its own unique story life. I was attached to the characters and loved the art.
Great first read for 2020

bookbint's review

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4.0

Ragamuffin to riches in a macabre tale. Think I'll still look back on this one uncomfortably from time to time, the imagery is mesmerising.

bengriffin's review

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5.0

A beautiful gothic fairytale with all the horror, mystery and wonder that implies. The artwork is stunning and there's a ton of interesting information at the back on the making of process which is always nice. I'm eager to read the next volume and then pick up anything else Improper Books have put out.

thereadingoutlaw's review

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5.0

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!

kittyg's review

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5.0

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

kukkanaattori's review

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3.0

im glad i didnt buy this