Rating: 10/10
Synopsis
A chilling fantasy retelling of the Snow White fairy tale by bestselling creators Neil Gaiman and Colleen Doran.
A not-so-evil queen is terrified of her monstrous stepdaughter and determined to repel this creature and save her kingdom from a world where happy endings aren’t so happily ever after.
From the Hugo, Bram Stoker, Locus, World Fantasy, Nebula Award-winning and Sunday Times-bestselling writer Neil Gaiman (American Gods) comes this graphic novel adaptation by Colleen Doran (Troll Bridge).
Review
I’m a newcomer to graphic novels and I love Neil Gaiman. So after a recommendation from a friend, on a cold, stormy night, I dug into Snow, Glass, Apples.
Snow, Glass, Apples is a creative reimagining of Snow White, told from the perspective of the “evil” Queen. The Queen struggles to retain her power and to take out her own story of revenge against Snow White, but Snow White is clearly something not of this world. Things get spooky. I won’t spoil what happens with Snow White herself, other than to say that the story delves deep into horror and doesn’t let up. Doran and Gaiman do a great job at adapting this story and making it feel like a timeless classic in terms of tone.
The artwork is beautiful and unlike the small number of graphic novels I have read. It’s less individual panes broken up on the page and more full-page sprawling artwork that reminds me (with my very limited knowledge of art) of the work of Alphonse Mucha.
If you’re in the mood for an exquisite horror fable and beautiful artwork, I highly recommend Snow, Glass, Apples.
I really got into graphic novels over the last couple of years or so. Gaiman happens to pen some of my favourites. I heartily recommend A Study in Emerald for your next read. It’s short and magnificent.