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A review by kikiandarrowsfishshelf
Domovoi by Peter Bergting
4.0
Disclaimer: Dark Horse allowed me to read this as an ARC via Netgalley. Thank you both!
Most people like to think fairy tales are sweetness and light, which, let’s face it, makes them cotton candy. Nice to eat but hardly satisfying no matter how much you wanted it. This is way, in most cases, the older folklore is far better than the clean version read to today’s children. It’s why authors (Gaiman, Pratchett, Rowling) that remember and even embrace that darkness tend to gain popularity because even though their stories might end happily, the darkness is not sugarcoated. Look at Andersen, darkness is even in the Ugly Duckling.
Peter Berting keeps to this traditional of folklore in his excellent graphic novel Domovoi. This is old time storytelling, influenced by not only Swedish folklore but Russian as well. Answers might not be what you want or even answers. For some reason, this way is better.
The story opens in Stockholm and introduces to Jennie. Jennie is in the tradition of Tiffany Achling and the Witches in Pratchett, though she is young. In other words, she is not typical YA (or new adult, whatever that is) female protagonist. She is young, but not stupid. She questions but actually thinks about the answers and takes advice. Her quest involves actions that her grandmother took years ago, and her helpers include her friend Bulka, Uncle Ivan, and two Poleviki (think lower level mobsters, who like waffles but not crayfish). Her means of transportation are a magical car that beats the one in Harry Potter by a mile.
There is magic in this tale, quite a bit, but like all good fairy and folk tales, the emphasis is on compassion and brain power. This isn’t to say that there isn’t plenty of action, but it is combined with great effectiveness with the use of compassion and intelligence. This is most powerfully done in the sequence with the Rusalka and Topielek.
And there is humor – not just with the waffle loving Poleviki.
And the art. Where to start with the art? The art manages to be both dark and light. It suits the moment from the first panel with Bulka’s comment on the beautiful morning to the last. Additionally, several panels hearken to Russian fairy tale and box illustrations, especially in regards to the use of shadow and light.
Berting has managed to capture the journey at the heart of any old story, the desire to grown and became not so much wise but to wade into the stream of life. He does this far better than most new Young Adult or New Adult books which seem to be about the young girl realizing that bad boy is the one for her and caving into him (in more ways than one). Berting’s graphic novel is for all ages, but thankfully features a young woman protagonist who does not have a tormented love life, does not want to marry Mr. Wrong, and does not condemn every other girl she meets. How come only men seem to write chosen young women like this? Don’t worry. You discover why Jennie is such a wonderful person by meeting her grandmother.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in folk and fairy tales, in particular stories from Russia as well as any person looking for a female central character who has something else besides boys on her mind. I can only hope that Jennie will make another appearance because I dearly want to read more of her adventures.
If you want music to go along with this graphic novel, I suggest Fairy Tales by Ole Lukkoye
Most people like to think fairy tales are sweetness and light, which, let’s face it, makes them cotton candy. Nice to eat but hardly satisfying no matter how much you wanted it. This is way, in most cases, the older folklore is far better than the clean version read to today’s children. It’s why authors (Gaiman, Pratchett, Rowling) that remember and even embrace that darkness tend to gain popularity because even though their stories might end happily, the darkness is not sugarcoated. Look at Andersen, darkness is even in the Ugly Duckling.
Peter Berting keeps to this traditional of folklore in his excellent graphic novel Domovoi. This is old time storytelling, influenced by not only Swedish folklore but Russian as well. Answers might not be what you want or even answers. For some reason, this way is better.
The story opens in Stockholm and introduces to Jennie. Jennie is in the tradition of Tiffany Achling and the Witches in Pratchett, though she is young. In other words, she is not typical YA (or new adult, whatever that is) female protagonist. She is young, but not stupid. She questions but actually thinks about the answers and takes advice. Her quest involves actions that her grandmother took years ago, and her helpers include her friend Bulka, Uncle Ivan, and two Poleviki (think lower level mobsters, who like waffles but not crayfish). Her means of transportation are a magical car that beats the one in Harry Potter by a mile.
There is magic in this tale, quite a bit, but like all good fairy and folk tales, the emphasis is on compassion and brain power. This isn’t to say that there isn’t plenty of action, but it is combined with great effectiveness with the use of compassion and intelligence. This is most powerfully done in the sequence with the Rusalka and Topielek.
And there is humor – not just with the waffle loving Poleviki.
And the art. Where to start with the art? The art manages to be both dark and light. It suits the moment from the first panel with Bulka’s comment on the beautiful morning to the last. Additionally, several panels hearken to Russian fairy tale and box illustrations, especially in regards to the use of shadow and light.
Berting has managed to capture the journey at the heart of any old story, the desire to grown and became not so much wise but to wade into the stream of life. He does this far better than most new Young Adult or New Adult books which seem to be about the young girl realizing that bad boy is the one for her and caving into him (in more ways than one). Berting’s graphic novel is for all ages, but thankfully features a young woman protagonist who does not have a tormented love life, does not want to marry Mr. Wrong, and does not condemn every other girl she meets. How come only men seem to write chosen young women like this? Don’t worry. You discover why Jennie is such a wonderful person by meeting her grandmother.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in folk and fairy tales, in particular stories from Russia as well as any person looking for a female central character who has something else besides boys on her mind. I can only hope that Jennie will make another appearance because I dearly want to read more of her adventures.
If you want music to go along with this graphic novel, I suggest Fairy Tales by Ole Lukkoye