The Prince and the Dressmaker most likely was pretty cutting-edge when it came out last year. We were started to talk about sexual identity and gender fluidness and the issues that come from that. Using the graphic novel format also is a bit different. But this publishers imprint seems to be the one to go to for cutting-edge stories in this usually more approachable format. However, a year later, having a young man dress in woman’s clothing as sometimes he feels male and sometimes female, is somewhat tame compared to other stories out there. Yet, this story still needs to be told.
Jen Wang has taken a modern subject with modern language and set in in a somewhat historical Europe. Of course, gender-identity is nothing new, we are just talking about it more openly. But I am unsure how historical some of the language and actions are (when did beauty pageants start?) and of course, the people are fiction. The flow of the text of the story is modern though the setting historical. It is not overly preachy but is a smidgen pushy with the extremeness of the ending: everyone pretty much quickly accepts our Prince. However, overall, it does seem realistic with the father’s reactions at first and in the fact that the prince is unsure how his family would react (after all, he feels “unnatural” and knows how people react to that) and does not want to let-down his family.
One of the best lines is when the Prince tells his Dressmaker, Frances, he knows it would be unfair for him to marry. However, is this being selfless or selfish? Due to the young age of the characters, they are all fairly selfish. Yet, realistic in this nature, too. It is a look at being young, coming of age and coming into where you belong.
The biggest issue is, I think this book needs more than one reading. I am not sure I loved-loved it, but know I liked it. Yet, I did miss something. Perhaps it is because I have real a lot on the subject that I am comparing to other books of this subject. Also, I would have liked to have seen more fashion (though Wang’s illustrations are lovely, even if the colors could be bolder most of the time) and would have liked to have seen more of the story of Frances (she is just there without a lot of backstory). At times, it feels a little tongue-in-cheek, but is not too silly. Or at least, the right amount of silly. The humor feels like it is there to help make a serious subject less daunting.
