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The Rose of Versailles (Volume 1)
Jul. 26th, 2022 11:15 pmI feel like I've been waiting half my life to finally get the chance to read this.
One of the most iconic and influential manga of all time, The Rose of Versailles, by Riyoko Ikeda, was originally published in 1972. It is the story of Oscar François de Jarjayes, the sixth daughter of a general, who raises her as his son and heir. Oscar - brave, fiery, and principled - becomes Commander of the Royal Guard to Marie Antoinette - the feckless, beautiful, and ultimately tragic last Queen of France.
Despite its acclaim, and its translation into other languages, it did not have an official English release until 2019. Udon Entertainment has published it in five deluxe hardcover volumes.
This edition is absolutely gorgeous. The covers shine with gold highlights, and the paper is thick and glossy. Full colour illustrations are included at intervals throughout. Definitely a collectable as well as a classic.
The artwork is stunningly beautiful, like all of Riyoko Ikeda's work: the flowing linework, the extravagant detail, and the passionate emotion.
( Spoilery musings )
This manga is known for its groundbreaking exploration of gender and sexuality. But what I found striking was the social commentary. The endpoint of the story - spoilers! - is meant to be the French Revolution, but I had assumed we were still a long way away. But even in this first volume, there are already rising tensions. While the rich spend tax money on luxuries and get away with literal murder, the ordinary people are suffering hardship and worrying about the price of bread.
... This should not still feel relevant in 2022.
One of the most iconic and influential manga of all time, The Rose of Versailles, by Riyoko Ikeda, was originally published in 1972. It is the story of Oscar François de Jarjayes, the sixth daughter of a general, who raises her as his son and heir. Oscar - brave, fiery, and principled - becomes Commander of the Royal Guard to Marie Antoinette - the feckless, beautiful, and ultimately tragic last Queen of France.
Despite its acclaim, and its translation into other languages, it did not have an official English release until 2019. Udon Entertainment has published it in five deluxe hardcover volumes.
This edition is absolutely gorgeous. The covers shine with gold highlights, and the paper is thick and glossy. Full colour illustrations are included at intervals throughout. Definitely a collectable as well as a classic.
The artwork is stunningly beautiful, like all of Riyoko Ikeda's work: the flowing linework, the extravagant detail, and the passionate emotion.
( Spoilery musings )
This manga is known for its groundbreaking exploration of gender and sexuality. But what I found striking was the social commentary. The endpoint of the story - spoilers! - is meant to be the French Revolution, but I had assumed we were still a long way away. But even in this first volume, there are already rising tensions. While the rich spend tax money on luxuries and get away with literal murder, the ordinary people are suffering hardship and worrying about the price of bread.
... This should not still feel relevant in 2022.
