Graphic Novel Review - 'Stories of the Islands' by Clar Angkasa

What lovely stories! What lovely feminist retellings/reimaginings of previously unheard of (by me) fairy tales! This time the folklore originates from Indonesia.

There are three of them, told and drawn softly and lovingly in graphic novel form - 'Keong Mas', about an unlikely female friendship (possibly more...?), 'Bawang Merah Bawang Putih', about two (step)sisters, and 'Timun Mas', about a mother and a daughter, albeit adopted, and is no less beautiful.

The subversion to traditional fairy tale conventions and archetypes, particularly in female roles, is strong in this.

The leads in 'Stories of the Islands' are far from damsels in distress, yet none of them have to be the equally typical "strong female character" or action heroine to achieve their happily ever after.

The art is so sweet, colourful, round, comfy, creamy, silky, expressive, with lots of shadow work, and gorgeous - the book truly has the feminine touch all around and about it. The soft, pretty colours! 'Stories of the Islands' really is in the same genetic-no, cosmic, nebulous, Milky Way pool as 'Other Ever Afters' by Melanie Gillman. It is like an aurora, abloom with three rich fairy tales, presented to us as a magical graphic novel.

Themes include redemption, humbleness, kindness, giving, charity, helping others out of the goodness of one's heart, grief, domestic abuse, sisterhood, motherhood, spinsterhood, solitude, witchcraft, learning and passing on skills and putting them to use in life (and in life and death situations), and overcoming adversity and evil. These wonderous, wonderful stories with wonderful, soulful, adorable characters - the darn-near-entirely-female cast of characters - are, in fact, universal, and anyone can relate to them.

There are also fish, snails, plants, flowers, seeds, pumpkins, cucumbers, sarongs, selendangs, and of course, the Indonesian islands from ancient historic times these tales take place in.

'Stories of the Islands' - a passion project that paid off. I adore it, as short and limited in number as the stories are. They will stay with you, along with their important messages.

Hope, and hope for serenity, and an inspiring beauty, that is 'Stories of the Islands', written and drawn by Clar Angkasa. Wholeheartedly created, and guaranteed to whole your heart upon reading it, then embracing it.

From the Author's Note at the end:


'Stories of the Islands is a response to questions I'm constantly asking:

Who are these women beyond the hero's love interests? What are their hopes and dreams outside of what's expected of them? Why are they waiting for their saviors instead of just saving themselves?

[...] I have a strong distaste for narratives that perpetuate the concept that a woman is limited to what society expects of them.

[...] I reimaged these folktales in a way I wish they were told to me when I was growing up. I want young girls to be exposed to a different kind of narrative, and be encouraged to break from stereotypes and the pattern of constantly being looked down on and underappreciated.'


Final Score: 4/5