About the Book
-
Author:
- Hari Conner
- Genres:
- Graphic Novels
- Historical Fiction
Cover Story: Regency Romance
BFF Charms: Yay, Eventually
Talky Talk: Regal-ish
Arty Art: Humor and Heart
Bonus Factors: Society, LGBTQ+ Representations
Relationship Status: Happy to Know (the Real) You
Cover Story: Regency Romance
As with any good graphic novel, this cover introduces you to the characters and the art style within. They’re great representations—as one might assume—but I also like that it gives you a hint as to the book’s plot without spoiling too much.
The Deal:
George is the youngest daughter of an ailing father who has no interest in being a daughter at all. Or letting their older brother take on the immense task of running the family estate; he absolutely doesn’t have the constitution for it. There’s also the inconvenience of George’s feelings about their best friend, Eleanor, who wants nothing to do with marriage—for herself—but is caught up with society regardless. What’s a person to do when they don’t fit in with society?
BFF Charms: Yay, Eventually
George is an amazing person. They not only have a firm grasp on how to run a semi-failing family estate, but they’re also a kind and considerate—and not to mention charismatic—person at heart. I really liked them from the start, and applaud them for doing all they can to be true to themselves while living in an era in which that isn’t allowed, especially for women (which they most often must present as, to keep up appearances) and moreso for queer folk.
Eleanor is a bit harder to handle. She’s brash and outspoken, but worries too much about what other people think of her and how to keep up appearances. I get that she’s a product of the time, but she spends much of the book being self-centered and kind of awful (in an unthinking way) to her closest friends. She eventually gets a talking to, and take a hard look at her actions, but I’m not sure I would have waited for her to come around.
Swoonworthy Scale: 6
George obviously has feelings for Eleanor, and she them, but Eleanor is oblivious to both facts until they’re basically shoved in her face. George is always at the edge of what’s proper, thanks to their wishes to be something other than a dutiful daughter who pretends to have nothing better to do than to get married and have babies to carry on the family name. Eleanor has no interest in marriage, but still attracts men who think her a suitable match. Their discovery of the truth is sweet, and when they—spoiler alert—eventually get over themselves and get together, quite swoony. But the path leading there is quite rocky.
Talky Talk: Regal-ish
I Shall Never Fall in Love takes place in regency England (If you aren’t sure what years that is, like I wasn’t, it’s c. 1795 to 1837.) and therefore has a distinctly Austen-ian flare. There’s lots of talk about society and “the way things are done,” but Conner throws in a few bits of dialogue that feel more modern, making the characters just a bit more relatable than they otherwise might have been.
Arty Art: Humor and Heart
Page via Harper Alley
Conner’s art is less defined than some, but that gives a softness to the story that fits nicely with the time period in which it’s set. They also have a great sense of wit, using overpronounced and enlarged features to great effect to indicate periods of heightened emotion, and more detailed, zoomed-in panels when things get more passionate or dream-like. Conner’s style is all their own, and I really like it.
Bonus Factor: Society (Said in a Posh Accent)
As much as I’d chafe at the idea of being put on show and/or being thought less than because of my gender, there’s something appealing about attending a regency-era dance/ball. I’d likely be a wallflower like George, keeping to myself and wishing I could be elsewhere, reading, but oh the people watching would be glorious!
Bonus Factor: LGBTQ+ Representation
George is non-binary with masculine leanings. Eleanor is likely a lesbian, although her feelings toward George, who is more comfortable presenting as a man, might mean that she’s bisexual. Regardless what modern queer titles these folks would use—because none of our designations were in use back then—it’s great to see a historical fiction focus on people other than cishet folk. Conner includes an addendum in the back of the book that gives a bit of history of queer folk of the time, too, which was educational to say the least.
Relationship Status: Happy to Know (the Real) You
We had fun together, Book! While I don’t see our relationship moving in a romantic direction, I think we make really good friends. And one can never have too many of those.
Literary Matchmaking
Jen Wang’s The Prince and the Dressmaker also features a character who dresses against the grain of society.
Mai Kobabe’s Gender Queer is an unflinching memoir about a person who doesn’t fit into a pre-made mold.
Jasmine Walls and Teo Duvall’s Brooms is another historical fiction graphic novel that deals with racism and queerness.
FTC Full Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from Harper Alley, but got neither a private dance party with Tom Hiddleston nor money in exchange for this review. I Shall Never Fall in Love will be available Dec. 17.
