The Dire Days of Willowweep Manor
Hilarious Gothic parody has mad monk, ghost, plucky heroine.
Parents say
Based on 1 review
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that The Dire Days of Willowweep Manor is a parody of Gothic romances of the mid-1800s, such as Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights. Willowweep Manor is under siege by the gooey Bile, and high schooler Haley and her allies must discover a way to defeat it. The graphic novel by Shaenon K. Garrity and Christopher Baldwin is funny and insightful. Some nonlethal violence. No swearing, sex, or drugs; some brooding.
Community Reviews
Great book for romance lovers
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What's the Story?
As THE DIRE DAYS OF WEEPWILLOW MANOR begins, high school student Haley finds herself in an alternate universe, one patterned after the Gothic romances she loves so much. Aided by three brothers, she combats the Bile, a caustic chemical that wants to overflow the Manor.
Is It Any Good?
This hilarious spoof of Gothic romances has an an over-the-top plot involving a gear-driven universe, an adventurous newcomer, a suspicious housekeeper, an invisible ghost, and a mad monk. Books like Jane Eyre are classics for a reason, and this funny takeoff on Wuthering Heights and its ilk lovingly parodies the Romantic genre. Author Shaenon Garrity concocts an action-packed, wild plot, and artist Christopher Baldwin brings it to life with a cartoony style that approaches the heights of the Warner Brothers. Recommended for future English majors.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how The Dire Days of Willlowweep Manor makes fun of Gothic novels. What other famous books have been parodied in literature or film?
Haley loves Gothic novels. Do you think she should try reading and writing about something else?
Why are comics and graphic novels so popular? What tools does the medium offer that prose alone cannot match?
Book Details
- Author: Shaenon K. Garrity
- Illustrator: Christopher Baldwin
- Genre: Graphic Novel
- Topics: Great Girl Role Models, History, Monsters, Ghosts, and Vampires
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry
- Publication date: December 29, 2021
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 10 - 17
- Number of pages: 244
- Available on: Nook, Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: January 5, 2022
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