Peter & Max by Bill Willingham
with illustrations by Steve Leialoha
Publication date: 13 October 2009 by Vertigo
ISBN 10/13: 1401215734 | 9781401215736
Category: Young Adult Fantasy
Format: Hardcover (also available in eBook, Kindle and audiobook)
Keywords: Revenge, Siblings, Fairytales, Folktales, Fables
Thuy's review:
Peter & Max is the story of Peter and Max Piper of Pied Piper fame. Their entire family is part of a traveling minstrel show. One dark night, soldiers invade their lands the family is torn apart. Alone and scared, Peter becomes a thief to survive. Max, having gone down a dark path, works to perfect his dark magic. He vows that one day, he will find and kill Peter, taking the flute which he believes should have rightfully been passed down to him. Hundreds of years pass and Peter is living a quiet life in a new world with his wife, Bo Peep, when he learns that Max has been spotted. Knowing the death and darkness that Max brings, Peter leaves on a quest to find his long lost brother and end their feud once and for all.
I didn't know much about the legend of the Pied Piper before reading this book. Most of what I remember is from an old Tom & Jerry cartoon. However, I was quickly pulled into the story of Peter Piper and his brother Max. The story shifts perspective between Peter and Max and we see through each of their eyes the events that end up shaping them and eventually pulling them apart. Max's descent into darkness is fascinating to watch and he definitely creeped me out.
Willingham does a fine job of translating the Fables world into a full length book. He blends what we already know about a story with his own ideas so that it is one seamless world. Like many traditional fairy tales, Peter and Max is at times dark and violent. It's a world where wondrous and terrible things happen and where not every ending is a happy one. Lovely black and white illustrations by Steve Leialoha add to its storybook quality. For Fables fans it's a nice addition to the universe. For fans of dark fairy tales or modern retellings of classic tales, it's a quick and fun read.
2 Comments on Peter and Max - Review, last added: 7/28/2011
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I loved this one too! He's coming out with another one this fall as well but I think it's meant for even younger ages - middle grade - which excites me because I may be able to put it in my library for my 4th and 5th graders. Love love love Bill Willingham's book and graphic novels. :)
ooh thanks for the news! yes, i love willingham's writing. it would be great to expose younger kids to his work.