Publisher: First Second
Publishing Date: October 2 2012
Genre: Graphic Novel
Format: e-ARC
Page count: 400
My rating:
Mark Siegel’s wonderfully imagined and beautifully drawn graphic novel Sailor Twain tells the story of the Mermaid in the Hudson (which is also its alternate title). Captain Twain stumbles upon an injured mermaid, and in nursing her back to health develops an unhealthy obsession with her that twists his own life and that of his friend Lafayette, a womanizing Frenchman, who in turn is developing a breathtaking relationship with the elusive author CG Beaverton.
I was a bit put off by the cartoonish illustrations when I first started reading, but once I adjusted to the style the story itself swept me along. The simple use of black and white panels didn’t detract from the colours in my mind, and the artist showed great skill in switching between scenes and showing the reactions of characters. I felt like I was truly immersed, and I enjoyed the tale of the mermaid in the Hudson very much.
An advance reader copy was kindly provided by the publisher.
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About Nemo
A lover of kittens and all things sparkly, Nemo has a degree in English Literature and specialises in reviewing contemporary, paranormal, mystery/thriller, historical, sci-fi and fantasy Young Adult fiction. She is especially drawn to novels about princesses, strong female friendships, magical powers, and assassins.
