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A review by jecoats
The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang
5.0
I saw this title on our Book Club list for the graphic novel week and decided to check it out from the library. I enjoyed it so much, I purchased my own copy for my classroom library. It has won the Prix du Festival d'Angoulême for Prix jeunesse (2019) and the Premio de los Libreros de Madrid for Comic/Novela grafica (2019), and has been nominated for the Harvey Awards for Best Children or Young Adult Book (2018), the Rhode Island Teen Book Award (2020), the Vermont Golden Dome Book Award (2020), the Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Graphic Novels & Comics (2018), and the Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award Nominee (2020).
Jen Wang’s delightful graphic novel follows the intertwined stories of dressmaker Frances and crown prince Sebastian. One fateful day Frances’s dressmaking skills are recognized and she is commissioned to make clothing for the mysterious Lady Crystallia. After a series of humorous incidents, it is revealed that Lady Crystallia is actually prince Sebastian. As Sebastian explains, he has always felt comfortable with being a male, but also enjoys wandering into the world as a female. As Frances continues to design new, boundary-pushing styles for Sebastian/Lady Crystallia, the two begin to grow closer and closer. However, as Frances’s abilities gain the notice of other famous fashion designers, Sebastian forbids her to leave him, causing a falling out between the two. As Frances follows her dream of becoming a world renowned designer, Sebastian’s secrets are revealed to his kingdom and he leaves his station to become a monk. But at a fashion show, Frances and Sebastian reunite. Will Sebastian be able to repair the damage he caused to their relationship? Will Frances be able to help her friend and pull off the fashion show of her dreams?
I don’t think a graphic novel has ever touched my heart the way The Prince and the Dressmaker did. It is a book full of genuine emotions - from the humorous antics of Lady Crystallia and Frances, to the heartfelt sorrow felt when Sebastian and Frances part ways. It is a beautifully told story as well. Sebastian/Lady Crystallia is a fully realized, dynamic character. Frances is also a perfectly rounded character, and the two make such a wonderful pair in the story. The depth of the characters make them feel like very real people, even when situations seem a little over the top or melodramatic.
Wang’s artwork is some of the best I have ever seen in a graphic novel. The color palette is soft, yet rich. The style of the characters is also soft, and I love the exaggerated and cherub-like features of the main characters. There is an animated, cartoon quality about the artwork, but I thought that it made the story even more charming and delightful. In a way, the animated style makes everything feel like it’s physically moving on the page, making this an easy title to get lost in while reading.
The trans and gender nonconforming aspects of the story are handled quite well. There is the almost cliche moment when Sebastian’s family finds out about his crossdressing, and Sebastian is meant to feel some sort of shame even though we know he has nothing to be ashamed of. However, this is resolved quickly, and Lady Crystallia is fully accepted by her family. However, it is Frances’s reaction to the reveal that Lady Crystallia and Sebastian are the same that is truly wonderful. Frances never questions Sebastian’s choices, or her feelings toward him. She just accepts Sebastian for who he is, and the two build an immediate and (almost) unbreakable bond. (SPOILERS!) At the end of the story, it is implied that Frances and Sebastian/Lady Crystallia have developed a romantic relationship. What makes this work so well is that the graphic novel questions or details anyones sexual preferences. Instead, we realize that sexual preference is not the point. They are simply attracted to each other, and that is good enough. Wang’s commitment to the ideas of gender fluidity and nonconformity are treated with a level of respect and beauty that brought tears to my eyes.
I think The Prince and the Dressmaker could be used from 5th grade to 12th grade. It would be a great way to get young students interested in reading, and it could be used to create a sense of welcoming and empathy in the classroom. I also think the graphic novel would be best used in a unit on acceptance and/or social justice as it does such a great job of normalizing gender fluidity and nonconformity. I definitely think this book acts as a mirror for our LGBTQ+ students as it is a celebration of living one’s “truth” and not being ashamed of our heart’s desires. I also think it acts as a window and sliding glass door, allowing students unfamiliar with the LGBTQ+ community a chance to experience the story alongside wonderful and memorable characters. The story really does invite the reader into Sebastian's world, and asks only that we reserve judgment while we experience this amazing story.
This is easily the best book I have read for this class (so far). It is an absolute masterpiece that I highly recommend!
Jen Wang’s delightful graphic novel follows the intertwined stories of dressmaker Frances and crown prince Sebastian. One fateful day Frances’s dressmaking skills are recognized and she is commissioned to make clothing for the mysterious Lady Crystallia. After a series of humorous incidents, it is revealed that Lady Crystallia is actually prince Sebastian. As Sebastian explains, he has always felt comfortable with being a male, but also enjoys wandering into the world as a female. As Frances continues to design new, boundary-pushing styles for Sebastian/Lady Crystallia, the two begin to grow closer and closer. However, as Frances’s abilities gain the notice of other famous fashion designers, Sebastian forbids her to leave him, causing a falling out between the two. As Frances follows her dream of becoming a world renowned designer, Sebastian’s secrets are revealed to his kingdom and he leaves his station to become a monk. But at a fashion show, Frances and Sebastian reunite. Will Sebastian be able to repair the damage he caused to their relationship? Will Frances be able to help her friend and pull off the fashion show of her dreams?
I don’t think a graphic novel has ever touched my heart the way The Prince and the Dressmaker did. It is a book full of genuine emotions - from the humorous antics of Lady Crystallia and Frances, to the heartfelt sorrow felt when Sebastian and Frances part ways. It is a beautifully told story as well. Sebastian/Lady Crystallia is a fully realized, dynamic character. Frances is also a perfectly rounded character, and the two make such a wonderful pair in the story. The depth of the characters make them feel like very real people, even when situations seem a little over the top or melodramatic.
Wang’s artwork is some of the best I have ever seen in a graphic novel. The color palette is soft, yet rich. The style of the characters is also soft, and I love the exaggerated and cherub-like features of the main characters. There is an animated, cartoon quality about the artwork, but I thought that it made the story even more charming and delightful. In a way, the animated style makes everything feel like it’s physically moving on the page, making this an easy title to get lost in while reading.
The trans and gender nonconforming aspects of the story are handled quite well. There is the almost cliche moment when Sebastian’s family finds out about his crossdressing, and Sebastian is meant to feel some sort of shame even though we know he has nothing to be ashamed of. However, this is resolved quickly, and Lady Crystallia is fully accepted by her family. However, it is Frances’s reaction to the reveal that Lady Crystallia and Sebastian are the same that is truly wonderful. Frances never questions Sebastian’s choices, or her feelings toward him. She just accepts Sebastian for who he is, and the two build an immediate and (almost) unbreakable bond. (SPOILERS!) At the end of the story, it is implied that Frances and Sebastian/Lady Crystallia have developed a romantic relationship. What makes this work so well is that the graphic novel questions or details anyones sexual preferences. Instead, we realize that sexual preference is not the point. They are simply attracted to each other, and that is good enough. Wang’s commitment to the ideas of gender fluidity and nonconformity are treated with a level of respect and beauty that brought tears to my eyes.
I think The Prince and the Dressmaker could be used from 5th grade to 12th grade. It would be a great way to get young students interested in reading, and it could be used to create a sense of welcoming and empathy in the classroom. I also think the graphic novel would be best used in a unit on acceptance and/or social justice as it does such a great job of normalizing gender fluidity and nonconformity. I definitely think this book acts as a mirror for our LGBTQ+ students as it is a celebration of living one’s “truth” and not being ashamed of our heart’s desires. I also think it acts as a window and sliding glass door, allowing students unfamiliar with the LGBTQ+ community a chance to experience the story alongside wonderful and memorable characters. The story really does invite the reader into Sebastian's world, and asks only that we reserve judgment while we experience this amazing story.
This is easily the best book I have read for this class (so far). It is an absolute masterpiece that I highly recommend!