Fairy Tales of Oscar Wilde: The Selfish Giants & the Star Child (Fairy Tales of Oscar Wilde)

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful storytelling, in words and pictures
Review: P. Craig Russell is one of the most literate comic artists now active. He is best known for his opera adaptations, but he goes after a different kind of story here.

These start as fairy tales in the classic mold, with giants, ice fairies, enchantments, and royalty lost and found. Even though Wilde wrote them, they're tame enough for kids and carry moral lessons I wouldn't mind a kid seeing. Wilde made sure there's plenty for the adults to hold onto, including a surprisingly religious turn in "The Selfish Giant." To tell the truth, I haven't read Wilde's original stories. This book is good encouragement to do so.

Russell's gentle artwork brings these stories to life. He has a unique way with fantasy elements, vividly seen in the Giant's perpetual winter. He also has a fine sense of how much cartooniness to allow - just enough for the story, but not enough to Disneyfy Wilde's text.

I consider these kid-safe, but "Star child" has a few harsh turns that may not suit the delicate - read the story first, yourself, then decide whether it suits your family. Or just get it for yourself, as I did.

//wiredweird