a review by Nalini Haynes
Soulless 1 of the manga series is the first of the Parasol Protectorate books written by Gail Carriger (podcast here) converted into manga by REM. This book also goes by the name of Soulless. Just in case you missed my review of the original novel, it’s here.
Premise
For those who came in late: Alexia Tarabotti, a soulless half-Italian, entirely English, twenty-six year old spinster, lives in Victorian England. Her kind is called ‘preternatural’ due to her soulless state. She can turn a vampire or a werewolf human by mere touch. Alexia sits in a library at a ball in the Duchess of Snodgrass’ house when a vampire with fang lisp and terrible clothes tries to bite her. She kills him in self-defense, promptly bringing Lord Conall Maccon, werewolf and member of the BUR, the Bureau of Unnatural Registry, down upon her. Alexia has known Maccon for months, during which time they have had numerous conflicts. Especially after an incident involving a hedgehog. After escaping Lord Maccon, Alexia consults with another longtime friend, Lord Akeldama, a gay vampire, about the bizarre appearances of newly turned vampires.
Genre
Soulless is half adventure and half romance with Alexia embroiled in the supernatural community playing detective to learn why new supernaturals are appearing and established members of the supernatural community are disappearing. Carriger writes in a terribly English voice, aspiring to the sensibilities appropriate to the era. There is a definite flavor of Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility in Soulless.
The verdict
Carriger acknowledges the influence of Jane Austen, Oscar Wilde and P.D. Wodehouse upon her writing. She also combines steampunk and ‘Bit Lit’ to create a runaway hit. Soulless is a hit with a wide range of people, beyond normal marketing categories.
The manga art
The manga version is part translation of the original and part re-imagining. The artwork has overtones of Japanese manga more than a realistic depiction of the characters. For example, I thought Conall Maccon would have a broader face, less pointed chin, more hair especially on his body and would have been more markedly larger than Professor Lyall. Instead Conall Maccon is more traditionally manga. The books remark repeatedly on Alexia’s full figure – she seems to transfer the calories from the treacle tarts to her breasts – but I was somewhat surprised at the manga’s fairly consistent focus on Alexia’s cleavage, especially in frames where I swear she would have needed double-sided tape to retain her modesty.
There are also scenes where Conall Maccon is naked as is Alexia (not usually simultaneously). Naughtiness and innuendo without explicit sex scenes. Female nipples and male genitalia are always artfully concealed.
Artwork conveys the missing narrative text, sometimes adding in subtle details to which I was oblivious for at least some of my initial reading of the series. For example, Akeldama’s superficially feminine appearance is coupled with a very masculine torso when stripped. And one frame where Akeldama kisses Biffy conveys much that I missed in my first reading of the first novel.
I love the color plates and rich creativity of the artwork. Wishlist: for these manga books in a hardcover full-color edition. The manga books are a fantastic addition to your Parasol Protectorate collection. Or as a substitute for the time-challenged who do not have time to enjoy the delicious repast that is each of the original novels. Personally I want them all, I’ve enjoyed the series so very much. Highly recommended.
Update
Updated 11 June 2023 to pander to SEO whim, replace the missing book cover, and include the link to Gail Carriger as guest on DMZ’s podcast.
