Book Review: Patience & Esther: An Edwardian Romance by S.W. Searle

A graphic novel telling the romance between two women in service, set in a time of social change and opportunity. One character is unapologetically plain and plump, the other is a bi-racial daughter of the English presence in India. There’s lots of exploration of family, loyalty, community, and the tricky balance between security and making a life of your own. And sex. There’s lots of sex. Which I hadn’t quite expected to see on the page given the feel of the cover art and description. Not a problem, just not expecting that. There are some fun bonus “self-fan-fic” extras at the end, including a modern-setting AU of the characters. This historic grounding of the story is wonderfully detailed and accurate and the art is delightful.