Review - Castle Waiting

Castle Waiting
by Linda Medley
Fantagraphics Books

Fantasy stories usually start with a humble character who through circumstances has to go through a quest and save the entire realm from Evil. Castle Waiting isn't like that. With the first issues of the comic self published, it was recognized as being outstanding and was picked up Fantagraphics Books. With 400+ pages, this hardcover graphic novel is wonderful and would appeal to fans of Bill Willingham's Fables or the books by Gregory Maguire.

The story starts with a retelling of the Sleeping Beauty story, the castle after the princess is awoken after 100 years becomes Castle Waiting. This is where anyone can find sanctuary and protection. A pregnant Lady Jain is travelling to the castle and meets many interesting characters along the way to her destination. Once at the castle, its residents tell their stories with extended flashback sequences. Like Sister Peaceful, who tells Lady Jain her whole story of how she became a member of a society of bearded nuns. This story in flashback takes up about the entire second half the book, which is ok since it's done so well.

The story is told in little black and white panels, with thick dark lines almost like a woodcut print. The characters are expressive and distinctive. And some of the architectural drawings almost remind me if the drawings in the David Macaulay books. Medley populates her fantasy universe with characters which have unique personalities. Each have their quirks, but all of them stay true to themselves as the story progresses.

This book is a good fit in our library since it covers many areas. It makes a great fantasy story tweens and teens since the story is mostly character driven. There isn't even a single sword fight in this book. Like many fairy tale retelling, there elements of the original stories with a modern twist. And unlike Fables, it doesn't have the mature situations that might concern some parents.