mimibird's review
5.0
So this is kind of my favorite thing ever. Started reading it in a vet waiting area, and would have finished it that night if I hadn't gotten home at 5 in the morning, but such is life. The book itself was a little difficult to actually open, and I kept worrying that I'd break the spine.
Anyway, I loved it. I can't even put it into words.
Anyway, I loved it. I can't even put it into words.
annelisegordon's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
nairam1173's review
5.0
I just! it's so kind and comforting!
one warning: unfortunately (I assume due to being from 1996) it uses the slur word for the Romani people--not AS a slur, but as their name. The characters themselves have two different presentations, one highly negative and one positive.
original review:
I picked this up on a whim at the library. There were people in wimples and looked like a fairytale retelling! It looked whimsical, and I do love whimsy. I read it mostly in one go late evening/early morning and I feel I might not be done processing it. It was the strangest thing I'd read in a long time. And I think I also really liked it. Loved the illustrations. Sometimes got a little mixed up with the stories-within-stories-within-stories. I appreciated the fact that this is totally a fantasy, and yet there is non-snide references to a medieval-style Christianity. This is hard enough to find in straight hisfic sometimes, I was pleasantly surprised to find it in fantasy.
I have no idea what the re-read value will be. But. For now, I feel 4-stars.
one warning: unfortunately (I assume due to being from 1996) it uses the slur word for the Romani people--not AS a slur, but as their name. The characters themselves have two different presentations, one highly negative and one positive.
original review:
I picked this up on a whim at the library. There were people in wimples and looked like a fairytale retelling! It looked whimsical, and I do love whimsy. I read it mostly in one go late evening/early morning and I feel I might not be done processing it. It was the strangest thing I'd read in a long time. And I think I also really liked it. Loved the illustrations. Sometimes got a little mixed up with the stories-within-stories-within-stories. I appreciated the fact that this is totally a fantasy, and yet there is non-snide references to a medieval-style Christianity. This is hard enough to find in straight hisfic sometimes, I was pleasantly surprised to find it in fantasy.
I have no idea what the re-read value will be. But. For now, I feel 4-stars.
captaincymru's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
ricksilva's review
5.0
This is an amazing example of fantasy done without the need for epic battles, and really, barely any battles at all. Beginning as a clever retelling of Sleeping Beauty, Castle Waiting continues the story long after the "happily ever after", describing the fate of the residents of the sleeping princess' castle after she has left for a new life with her handsome prince.
The castle goes one to become a refuge for those in need and for those who don't quite fit in. Two stories then take center stage: The tale of Jain, a young mother-to-be fleeing a bad marriage and making her way to the castle, serves to introduce the castle's residents and sets up a bunch of subplots as the characters all interact with the newcomer, and eventually with the new baby.
From there, the story changes focus to Sister Peace, a nun who comes from a rather unique background and who went on to join an even more unique religious order.
The artwork is lovely, but an even greater strength is the dialogue, which is endlessly intriguing, and constantly taking the reader in unexpected directions. Classical fairy tale themes are nicely interwoven with some feminist sensibilities, as well as a good sense of humor.
This book is completely charming from its lighter moments to its more serious storylines.
The castle goes one to become a refuge for those in need and for those who don't quite fit in. Two stories then take center stage: The tale of Jain, a young mother-to-be fleeing a bad marriage and making her way to the castle, serves to introduce the castle's residents and sets up a bunch of subplots as the characters all interact with the newcomer, and eventually with the new baby.
From there, the story changes focus to Sister Peace, a nun who comes from a rather unique background and who went on to join an even more unique religious order.
The artwork is lovely, but an even greater strength is the dialogue, which is endlessly intriguing, and constantly taking the reader in unexpected directions. Classical fairy tale themes are nicely interwoven with some feminist sensibilities, as well as a good sense of humor.
This book is completely charming from its lighter moments to its more serious storylines.
escalla's review
5.0
I have been recommended this comic by many trusted people for more years than i can count, i've always avoided it though because it was really hard to find.
I have to thank Fantagraphics for keeping the comic alive and printing these editions.
It was everything i was told and more...
I have to thank Fantagraphics for keeping the comic alive and printing these editions.
It was everything i was told and more...
zairafire's review
4.0
This graphic novel is just too much fun! I loved the art and the short stories, as well as the longer one. I'm excited to read more by this author!
becks_books's review
4.0
This is a really nice lighthearted book to read alongside something harrowing and with very little hope, that's how I read it anyway and it worked well!
quilly14's review
3.0
This is the first collection of Linda Medley's indie comic series from the mid to late 90s. In it, the residents of a castle wake up after being asleep for 100 years in a variation on the Sleeping Beauty story. The aforementioned beauty runs off with her prince, but some of the others remain, and turn the castle into a refuge for anyone who could use it.
I first read about this series in the early issues of Wizard magazine. It's the same place I first heard about Cerebus the Aardvark, and Bone(which became one of my favorite series). After years of thinking I should try this one, I found a copy at the local used bookstore.
"Light" is the word that comes to mind when I read this. That's not to say insubstantial. It just feels more like taking time to hang out with some fun characters than a big story. As such, I think it would have read better as single issues. 30 pages once a month would work a lot better for me than 450 pages all at once did. It's similar to tuning into your favorite sitcom once a week vs. binge-watching an HBO drama. Sadly, I missed my chance for that.
That said, these ARE fun stories. Hobgoblins cause mischief, there's a butler with a beak and there's an order of nuns who all have beards. It's a fun escape, and it's appropriate for most ages, I think.
I recommend this, if you want something fun. Especially if you enjoy fairy tales.
Castle Waiting has been on hiatus for many years. But I was happy to read that Linda Medley is working on it again, and has finished at least 150 pages of a new volume. She has a Patreon going, if you like this and want to see more.