MADreads

Escaping a dragon

November 7th, 2007 Barbara - Alicia Ashman

Dragonslippers: This is What an Abusive Relationship Looks Like by Rosalind B. Penfold is a beautifully rendered, painful-to-read graphic novel. 

Rosalind Penfold was a successful businesswoman who fell in love with the man of her dreams –who also turned out to be a monster.  With very simple line drawings and few words, she tells a complex, nuanced story of love gone very, very wrong.

Rosalind’s memoir of her life with Brian, a widower with three young children, is chilling. Brian is a charismatic, unpredictable, dangerous man. He has uncanny talent in manipulating the people around him. Rosalind’s independence and self-esteem are slowly and methodically undermined. Rosalind is unable to protect the pets, the children and herself from Brian’s tyranny. She kept a diary, drawing pictures because she couldn’t find words to express how strange her life had become.

The story of how Rosalind became trapped and how she was able to free herself is mesmerizing. The fact that she has shared her very personal and painful story, as part of her own healing and to try to help others who are in similar relationships, is inspiring.

Dragonslippers has been translated into 8 languages.  The book has a website with information about the book and about the warning signs of abuse.

Entry Filed under: Graphic Novel, Nonfiction