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A review by gwendle_vs_literature
Cautionary Fables and Fairytales: Asia by Kel McDonald, Kate Ashwin
fast-paced
2.75
I bought this book several years ago, but previous attempts to read it weren’t successful because comics are a form that I struggle with — but since I found and read Understanding Comics I was able to follow and interpret the stories more easily.
Unfortunately this book was a bit of a disappointment. Although it’s a collection of Asian folk- and fairytales, i’m not sure that any of the authors or artists are of Asian descent, which makes it feel like a big exercise in appropriation (especially since many of the writers claim authorship, although a few at at least say “adapted by”. I was particularly disappointed that there was no history or other information given regarding the stories — what regions they’re from and when they’re believed to have originated. The former English Major in me expects that kind of information in an anthology of this sort.
All of that aside, the quality of the writing and artwork varies.
Altogether I’d say give this one a pass.
Unfortunately this book was a bit of a disappointment. Although it’s a collection of Asian folk- and fairytales, i’m not sure that any of the authors or artists are of Asian descent, which makes it feel like a big exercise in appropriation (especially since many of the writers claim authorship, although a few at at least say “adapted by”. I was particularly disappointed that there was no history or other information given regarding the stories — what regions they’re from and when they’re believed to have originated. The former English Major in me expects that kind of information in an anthology of this sort.
All of that aside, the quality of the writing and artwork varies.
Altogether I’d say give this one a pass.