A review by mrswhiteinthelibrary
Peter Max: A Fables Novel by Bill Willingham

4.0

Peter & Max is Bill Willingham, author of the much acclaimed Fables comic book series, first attempt at writing a novel. It is closely related to said series, but works very well as a standalone. At first the writing seems a bit shaky, but as the book continues, Willingham falls into a groove of writing what he writes best: well drawn characters and grand adventures. For this story, he interlocks several well known folktales and nursery rhymes against the grim backdrop of a war, as he does in the comic series. But in this tale, Peter Piper is brought to center stage, along with his sociopathic brother, Max, more commonly known as the Pied Piper. The story shifts perspective on a chapter by chapter basis, allowing the story to be told from both sides, and while long spans of time sometimes pass, the characters, relationships, and story never lack development. While I would not say Willingham's forte is prose, he does an overall fine job crafting this novel, and it was an enjoyable adventure that was difficult to put down.