Overview
The critically acclaimed series resumes with a collection of short stories focusing on the lives of several supporting characters. A young Mrs. Stowner and her husband both secretly try to save up money to visit England's Great Exhibition. Eleanor Campbell spends a day at the beach trying to get over William, with surprising results. Experience a new insight into Emma's Victorian world!Synopsis
The critically acclaimed series resumes with a collection of short stories focusing on the lives of several supporting characters. A young Mrs. Stowner and her husband both secretly try to save up money to visit England's Great Exhibition. Eleanor Campbell spends a day at the beach trying to get over William, with surprising results. Experience a new insight into Emma's Victorian world!
Library Journal
The romance of Victorian-era maid Emma and her upper-class suitor William Jones (one of LJ's Best Graphic Novels of 2007) reached a resolution in Vol. 7. From here, the series features side stories focusing on supporting cast members. In the opening flashback, Emma's future employer Kelly Stownar and her young husband, Doug (who died shortly afterward), visit the Great Exhibition of 1851 at London's Crystal Palace. This simple tale is enlivened by Mori's remarkable realistic artwork and highly detailed depictions of the exhibition's setting and artifacts. Next, William's dejected ex-fiancée Eleanor Campbell makes a new and promising acquaintance at Brighton Beach. The book's subtlest tale connects four vignettes around the motif of a daily newspaper, including the reunion of two cooks from William's household and a peek at the current situation of Eleanor's father's ex-mistress Violet Grey (complete with surprise nudity). Finally, Emma's friend and fellow maid Tasha visits her hardworking family and feels aimless amid their ambition. VERDICT Though this volume can't match the drama of Emma's story, fans will appreciate these further examples of Mori's polished manga artistry. For older teens and adults.—S.R.