The White Sultana

No cover — Pierre Christin, Annie Goetzinger, Montana Kane: The White Sultana (EBook, 2016, Europe Comics)

eBook

English language

Published March 31, 2016 by Europe Comics.

ISBN:: 979-10-328-0135-2
Goodreads:: 37460506

(1 review)

This is the story of two women. One of those women is Lady Sheringham, interviewed in her manor house, the other is Emma Piggott, who has just passed away in her London apartment, alone.

To the former, life has been kind. She's gone from Shanghai to Hong Kong to Kuala Lumpar, from governess to sultana. She lives in the lap of luxury, engaged in an endless cycle of drinks parties, outings on horseback and the delicious little scandals of the British colonial community. This is a woman destined never to know hardship, other than the loss of loved ones.

Emma Piggott, a teacher at St. John's, has lived a gray and stagnant life, experiencing Asia only through newspaper articles that she carefully cuts out and collects, but never leaving the Whitechapel neighborhood where her parents kept a grocery store.

And yet, something unites these two women--a little detail, nothing at …

This is the story of two women. One of those women is Lady Sheringham, interviewed in her manor house, the other is Emma Piggott, who has just passed away in her London apartment, alone.

To the former, life has been kind. She's gone from Shanghai to Hong Kong to Kuala Lumpar, from governess to sultana. She lives in the lap of luxury, engaged in an endless cycle of drinks parties, outings on horseback and the delicious little scandals of the British colonial community. This is a woman destined never to know hardship, other than the loss of loved ones.

Emma Piggott, a teacher at St. John's, has lived a gray and stagnant life, experiencing Asia only through newspaper articles that she carefully cuts out and collects, but never leaving the Whitechapel neighborhood where her parents kept a grocery store.

And yet, something unites these two women--a little detail, nothing at all really, mere chance, or perhaps just a nightmare that troubles Lady Sheringham's sleep from time to time...

3 editions

Stephanie Jane reviewed The White Sultana by Pierre Christin

Loved the artwork

3 stars

I chose this graphic novel because I liked the idea of its historical fiction aspect and because its illustrator, Annie Goetzinger, was reputed to be brilliant. Overall I did enjoy this story. It is set in the Far East just after the Second World War and in the decade that followed as the British Empire disintegrated. The rags to riches fairytale follows young Emma Piggott from governess to nobility and finally sultana, but we are never quite sure what is reality and what is truth. Does London-based Emma dream of Asia, or is it Asia-based Emma who has nightmares of being trapped in drab London?

I would have liked a deeper, more emotional story and felt that The White Sultana was too superficial for my tastes. However I did appreciate Goetzinger's illustrations especially the various beautifully fashionable dresses worn by the British socialites in Hong Kong. I spotted fashions changing …

I chose this graphic novel because I liked the idea of its historical fiction aspect and because its illustrator, Annie Goetzinger, was reputed to be brilliant. Overall I did enjoy this story. It is set in the Far East just after the Second World War and in the decade that followed as the British Empire disintegrated. The rags to riches fairytale follows young Emma Piggott from governess to nobility and finally sultana, but we are never quite sure what is reality and what is truth. Does London-based Emma dream of Asia, or is it Asia-based Emma who has nightmares of being trapped in drab London?

I would have liked a deeper, more emotional story and felt that The White Sultana was too superficial for my tastes. However I did appreciate Goetzinger's illustrations especially the various beautifully fashionable dresses worn by the British socialites in Hong Kong. I spotted fashions changing from slim 1940s silhouettes to Dior-style New Look skirts and beyond. The contrast between colourful Asia and monochrome London was particularly effective as well. I am not sure I would seek out more Christin stories, but I would choose more graphic novels with Goetzinger artwork.

Subjects

Graphic novel
Historical fiction