Violet Charles (–2021)

The graphic novel tale of Miss Butterworth who is much maligned and must grapple with a mad baron in order to unite with her one true love.

If you've read enough of Julia Quinn, you may have run across one of her characters reading a novel with this title. I was delighted when a few years ago she announced she'd be releasing a graphic novel version of said tale. It's as silly and fun as you'd expect of something that based on characters' descriptions in Quinn's other works is a bad gothic show more novel. The art by Violet Charles (Julia Quinn's sister) is adorable and complement the tale well. Highly recommended for fans of Quinn's work. However be aware the final author's note adds a tinge of sadness as she reveals that her sister and father were killed in a car accident with a drunk driver in 2021 and that her brother-in-law died five months later from injuries sustained in the accident. A heartbreaking loss for Quinn and for readers as Violet Charles' talent is on excellent display here. show less

I hate gothic novels so this was like catnip to me. So ridiculously over the top it was so much fun. The illustrations are beautiful and it's utterly tragic the artist didn't live to see this published.

Miss Butterworth and the Mad Baron will be a well known title to fans of the Bridgerton books as a book Hyacinth and Lady Danbury were reading together. It’s an over the top Gothic novel with more twists, turns and astonishing events but the reader has never known the full plot – until now.

Julia Quinn has written the story as a graphic novel with her sister, Violet Charles as the illustrator and co-conspirator. It’s a fun, wild read of the pitfalls in Miss Butterworth’s young life show more and how she solves the mystery that befell the Baron’s family and her own. The story describes how Miss Butterworth became a penniless orphan taken in by her relatives and then later cast out by them. She then tries to shelter at the Baron’s stately home and becomes the companion to his mute grandmother (who never spoke a word after the tragic death of his fiancée). But the Baron’s cousin has a plan to destroy him and take over the family title and fortune, but Miss Butterworth’s logic stands in the way. In a dramatic finale, Miss Butterworth must give it all she has to find the truth and save the Baron, who she has fallen in love with.

If you thought the Bridgerton novels were over the top, this graphic novel will blow your mind. It is a riot and then some! The plot is fast and filled with multiple tropes and travesties, tragedies and coincidences in addition to some hallucinating pigeons and cute creatures. It’s not meant to be taken seriously, so just enjoy the ride. It’s funny and crazy and I can just see the two sisters plotting and planning this one. It’s a fast read and guaranteed to be different to anything else you’ll read for a long time!

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I loved this graphic novel! I have never read anything by Julia Quinn before, though I've seen her books enough. I've definitely heard of Bridgerton and was told that since I loved Downton Abbey, I'd love that too. So it's on my to watch list.

That being said, I could not stop laughing or reading! Miss Butterworth is a new favorite heroine of mine and I'd love to see more like this. This quick read graphic novel has her overcoming a lot of tragic death at a young age and forging a path to show more the future. Both Pricilla and Damien have tragic stories and you find yourself rooting for a happily ever after for these two characters! show less