Friday, February 20, 2009

Castle Waiting by Linda Medley


Books Completed: 41
Completion Date: February, 2009
Pages: 472
Publication Date: May 31, 2006

Reason for Reading: Graphic Novel Challenge
The 450-page Castle Waiting graphic novel tells the story of an isolated, abandoned castle and the eccentric inhabitants who bring it back to life. This fable for modern times is a fairy tale that's not about rescuing the princess, saving the kingdom or fighting the ultimate war between Good and Evil, but about being a hero in your own home.

Lavishly crafted in a classic visual style, Castle Waiting is a domain where fairy tales, nursery rhymes and folklore blend to tell the story of everyday lives of fantastic people.

The multiple Harvey and Eisner Award-winning story is now collected in one volume.
This is a graphic novel that has been on my wish list for a while. Thanks to the library I finally got a chance to read it! It was a great read, too. I think I would have liked it more if I hadn't read Fables recently, though. It is a blending of fairy tales and other tales, like Fables, but without the amazing art and the long-winded story. So, while I enjoyed it, I think it dulled in comparision. I am going to be honest. I haven't been up to writing reviews lately, so I already brought this book back to the library. That was actually a very bad idea because I am finding it hard to collect my thoughts.

When the story begins it is like a retelling of Sleeping Beauty. A local witch has been snubbed and dooms the princess to prick her finger on a spindle and sleep for 100 hundred years. That's how the conventional story goes, but what happens to the castle after the princess has married her handsome prince and rode off into the moonlight. Those that survived are left with no one to serve. This story is essential about what it is like after the princess has left. The castle has been essential left for Lady Jain to come looking for shelter. Upon arriving at the castle, the pregnant lady meets a wonderful cast of characters. While the story is centred in older tales, it feels very fresh. The art is line work, but it is wonderfully done. I found myself quite enjoying the characters and listening to their stories. Everyone has one, and they are shared within these illustrated pages.

My only problem with the book is that it didn't feel like it was the end. There were still some loose ends that I felt were set up to be tied up, but were never actually done so. I was left with several questions upon completion. I thought there might be a sequel, but I haven't seen anything about one. Other than the ending, though, it was a really good tale. I am glad that I saw recommendations around the blogosphere and took the time to read it! Another recommended read!

14 comments:

  1. That's because it isn't the end :P This is only the first collection... Linda Medley is still publishing the comic. Hopefully there will be a collected second volume before long.

    I'm glad you enjoyed it so much!

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  2. Kailana

    I finally reviewed the second Beatrix Potter mystery. It was much better than the first.

    The Tale of Holly How

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  3. Oh, such a concept - a hero in your own home. I think every woman, man and child should feel like a hero in their own home. I'm going to try to make the others in my family feel like they are my heroes. Thanks, Kailana for that good suggestion.

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  4. Nymeth: Yeah, I suspected there was more to it, but since this book was released in 1996 it seems like a long time!

    Bluestocking: I will be over to check it out!

    Booklogged: Sounds like a plan. :)

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  5. This sounds like something I would really love!

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  6. Tink: It was really quite good! I hope you get a chance to read it and that you enjoy it!

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  7. Anonymous2:08 PM

    Volume Two was supposed to be out at the beginning of last year, but it was a no-show. The last time I checked, Linda Medley had taken her website down, so there's no news on that front. :( She's published many more issues of the individual comic, though, and I think they come out fairly regularly.

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  8. Memory: Good to know! Hopefully it appears sooner rather than later... Seems to me it is quite a long time for it to come out!

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  9. Anonymous5:19 PM

    I felt the same way at the end - I couldn't believe there wasn't a sequel readily available! Argh! Apparently serial issues of the sequel exist but they are no longer in print.

    Now you've got me wanting to read Fables.

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  10. Lesley: While I enjoyed Castle Waiting, I like Fables way more! I still hope to be able to read the sequel to Castle Waiting, should it ever be released!

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  11. I saw this one at the library but wasn't too intrigued by it then. It does sound like it'd be fun but I really would like to try the Fables series first!

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  12. Iliana: yes, I don't think anyone can go wrong with the Fables series!

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  13. Anonymous12:42 PM

    I am definitely reading it this year. I am holding out to see if Carl does another OUAT challenge, if not I will read it for the Graphic Novel Challenge which I am slow in starting. Glad you enjoyed it apart from feeling there should have been more.

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  14. Rhinoa: The OUAT challenge should be starting up shortly! I hope you get a chance to read it. :)

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