The Rose of Versailles (Volume 1)
Jul. 26th, 2022 11:15 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
meteordustI 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:
- Back in the day, I got to watch maybe 10 episodes of the 40 episode anime. What I remember was a heavy focus on Marie Antoinette and palace intrigues. (In fact, Marie Antoinette was originally the main character, and only later did this role shift over to Oscar.) I was pleased to find that Volume 1 of the manga progresses past this point.
- I was surprised how early on we get set up with the Oscar/André/Fersen/Marie Antoinette love polygon. (Plus Rosalie too?)
- When the old king dies, the 19-year-old king and 18-year-old queen cling to each other desperately, terrified by the responsibility before them. Two callow teenagers in charge of a nation. No wonder everything went to hell.
- I was impressed by how much story fit into one volume. I'm wondering what lies ahead in the next four volumes.
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:
- Back in the day, I got to watch maybe 10 episodes of the 40 episode anime. What I remember was a heavy focus on Marie Antoinette and palace intrigues. (In fact, Marie Antoinette was originally the main character, and only later did this role shift over to Oscar.) I was pleased to find that Volume 1 of the manga progresses past this point.
- I was surprised how early on we get set up with the Oscar/André/Fersen/Marie Antoinette love polygon. (Plus Rosalie too?)
- When the old king dies, the 19-year-old king and 18-year-old queen cling to each other desperately, terrified by the responsibility before them. Two callow teenagers in charge of a nation. No wonder everything went to hell.
- I was impressed by how much story fit into one volume. I'm wondering what lies ahead in the next four volumes.
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.
