MM Book of the Week: The Sigh

"Life hangs from so slender a thread. Life is but a sigh."

Once again, Marjane Satrapi - best known for her graphic novel Persepolis- weaves a wonderful tale told from a most interesting point of view. In her newest novel, The Sigh, an obvious retelling of Cupid and Psyche, we learn the story of Rose, a young merchant's daughter whisked away to a wondrous palace by a mystical being. A victim to her sister's (well-intentioned) bad advice and her own human curiosity, Rose soon finds herself bereft of love and cast out of paradise. As her tale continues we follow Rose as she searches for a way to restore her kingdom and prince.

Retellings of the story of Cupid and Psyche have been done time and time again, from pieces like Till We Have Faces from C.S. Lewis to Disney's The Beauty and the Beast. What sets Satrapi's piece apart is her refusal to let Rose's (or Psyche's) journey serve as punishment without purpose.

In The Sigh, Satrapi has given Rose (her 'Psyche') strength, bravery, and capability of her own, as well as allowed her to take responsibility for her own actions by fulfilling her own destiny - rather than leaving her victim to her curiosity and the jealousy of others or vulnerable to the fickle hospitality of strangers. Through her own purposeful curiosity (which is praised rather than shamed) and cunning, she becomes the hero to several stories - rather than a girl who needs to be saved. There's a lovely balance here between love, loyalty, independence and cosmic forgiveness.

If you're looking for a new spin on a very old tale, The Sigh is surely worth a read.

Interested in this graphic novel? Check out The Sigh in Mibba's book section to share your comments or recommendations.