The first time I read this, I was put off by how it is more prose in the diary and storytelling format than it is a comic. Now, a year later, after deciding to be more patient with it, and to give it another chance for its great premise alone, here I am: praising it and recommending it.
'Nell of Gumbling: My Extremely Normal Fairy-Tale Life' is a cute, cartoony, clever and creative all-ages fantasy book in general. The idea of the slice-of-life, the mundane, the modern, and the "normal" being set in a fantastical, fairy tale town, while having (haven) been done before, is executed excellently here by Emma Steinkellner (aka the author of 'The Okay Witch' comics, thus my first reason for wanting to check 'Nell of Gumbling' out).
It is about twelve-year-old Lenore "Nell" Starkeeper, an aspiring artist and writer, who is recording her life in her diary with her artistic flair. She is an ordinary girl who lives in her beloved, enchanting town called Gumbling. Her life is her two star farm dads, her little brother Rib, her littler sister Schmitty (and her obnoxious goose Schmugly), her fairy best friend, the overachiever Myra Didwell (oh now I get it!), her other friend, the tiny Gilligan Thumbkin, the prima donna mean girl turned surprising companion, Voila Lala the centaur/unicorn, the sweet artist girl Leabelle Oh, the mean yet complex old archive and lore keeper Mrs. Earla Birdneck, who Nell is apprenticed to, the old secluded town witch Yabulga, lots of fairy tales that are history to Gumbling, and a couple of sinister, gentrifying, profiteering entrepreneurs and land developers who want to rebuild Gumbling in their own image and destroy its legacy.
'Nell of Gumbling: My Extremely Normal Fairy-Tale Life' really is like a slice-of-life cartoon from the nineties, set in a world like ours but with fantasy elements, supernatural creatures and whatnot. The worldbuilding is very good, charming, and somewhat believable.
This fairy tale contains such important, relevant themes of family, friendship, community, creativity, humbling (in Gumbling!), beating your adversaries by being smart and knowledgeable, highlighting the outdated notions of monarchies and how they should never return once revolted and renounced for the people, the evils of capitalism, the dangers of burying and erasing history - preserve it! Teach it widely! - and the younger generation shaping the future, and how we should listen to them - to children.
And how the inevitable setbacks, failures, and disappointments in life can lead to positive changes for you and others. They can surprise you for the better. They are a learning experience.
These are vital, veritable lessons to teach the youth. About the versatility of life, and what knowledge and courage it takes to stand up for yourself, and your family and community if need be.
It is about doing what is right, basically.
Add in a charming, cartoony art style, a witty, stunning and astonishing sense of humour, sprinklings of magic here and there, and the most amazing and imaginative fairy tales in-universe, and you've got a hit on your hands!
The magic is in the mundane, indeed.
'Nell of Gumbling: My Extremely Normal Fairy-Tale Life' - what a charmer! And it has POC, LBGTQ+, body positive diversity, to go with its realism.
Just... take it from me, and be patient with its diary format/framing device, though its comic segments become more frequent as it goes along (partly because the introductions and expository info are over and done with, and because there is much more high stakes action towards the climax), and it can be read in a day.
It is a storybook graphic novel for modern times, told by an (extra)ordinary young girl.
We must all work passionately and determinedly towards our happily ever after, and life beyond that.
Final Score: 4/5
No comments:
Post a Comment