Gemma Bovery
Written and Illustrated by Posy Simmonds
Jonathan Cape
London
1999
ISBN: 0224052519
Plot Summary:
A graphic reimagining of the infamous Madame Bovary, Gemma Bovery recounts the remaining days of a miserable dreamer whose name recalls the otherwise miserable earlier (anti)heroine. Transplanted to Normandy from her beloved England, Gemma at first attempts to enjoy her new life, but old dreams refuse to die. Condemning her husband to cuckold, Gemma engages in an unfortunate affair with a bad ex-boyfriend, and engages in other tawdry exploints.
The local baker reminisces on the effects of Gemma on the imagination and the libido.
Critical Evaluation:
Like Tamara Drewe, Simmonds utilitizes a narrative multiple perspective, allowing the story to be glimpsed from a diversity of characters. Also told in flashback, Gemma's tale becomes a whodunit of intrigue and sex, adding humor and spice to the Bovary construct.
Reader's Annotation:
Try as she hard as she might, but Gemma just can't manage to be a good girl. Does it cost her her life?
Genre:
Graphic Novel/Literary Revision
Author Info:
Posy Simmonds is the author of numerous comics for The Guardian, graphic novels, and illustrated children's books. Nominated in 2001 for Gemma Bovary, in 2009 Simmonds won the French Association of comics, critics, and journalists Prix de la Critique for Tamara Drewe.
Reader Level/Interest Age:
Teens and up.
Booktalking Ideas:
*How similar is Gemma to Emma Bovary?
*Does the baker feel love towards Gemma or sympathy towards her poor husband?
*Are Gemma's evil ways responsible for her untimely demise?
Challenge Issues:
A lighthearted tale of love and adultery, no foreseeable challenges.
Why Include?:
Thought it'd be fun to read the graphic version of such a canonized work. It was.
