Enola Holmes Graphic Novel Review written by the Hobbit. This post contains affiliate links, you can find out more on our policies page or in the disclaimer at the bottom of the blog.
Know Before You Read
Book: Enola Holmes, the Graphic Novels, Book One
Author and Illustrator: Serena Blasco based on the Enola Holmes books by Nancy Springer)
Translated by Tanya Gold
Published :(US) May 2022 (original books 2006-2008)
Length: 192 pages
Age Suggestion: 10 and up
Genres: Mystery, Graphic Novel, Action & Adventure
Warnings: Abandonment, nefarious deeds
Quick Enola Holmes Graphic Novel Summary
Enola Holmes, the younger sister, of the famous detective, is suddenly abandoned by her mother on her 14th birthday. Her mother leaves her money in a string of clues to help her. She eventually winds up in London, where she begins to solve mysteries on her own.
Volume One of the graphic novels contains adaptations of the first three books:
–The Case of the Missing Marquess
–The Case of the Left-Handed Lady
–The Case of the Bizarre Bouquets
While it will appeal to fans of the books and movies, you do not need to have experience with either to enjoy this.
Quick Enola Holmes Graphic Novel Review
Contains Minor Spoilers
The overall story is familiar but the specifics of the second and third books will be, as noted, new to those who have been introduced to Enola from the movies. For instance, in the third part of the graphic novel, covering the third book, she saves Dr. Watson.
The books offer nice mysteries and a compelling feminine detective. As Enola is 14 years old, younger readers will definitely relate. The artwork is done in watercolor and does a great job of capturing the mood of the stories.
There are several pages from Enola’s secret notebook following each section (book). These give more information, codes, how to decode messages, the language of flowers, etc. these are a very nice touch for the reader.
Some Changes from the Netflix Movies
Enola is clearly younger and there is no romance. Enola does not directly contact her mother. While the first movie and the first book are generally close, the second deviates substantially. So, the second two-thirds of this graphic novel is pretty much new material if your prior exposure is the movies.
Enola Holmes Graphic Novel Themes
for Discussion
- Gender roles. Enola is expected to be a “lady” by her brothers. While gender roles are more flexible today there are a lot of people bound by what is allowed for their gender (Enola would be horrified that some churches keep women from speaking up).
- Perseverance. Enola overcomes many obstacles. What obstacles? How does she do this? How do were overcome obstacles in our lives?
- Enola is “alone” spelled backward. How does being alone help and hurt Enola?
Thanks for checking out our Enola Holmes Graphic Novel. Before you go, check out these other posts:
–Enola Holmes 1 and its sequel
-Modern Nancy Drew Meets Shakespeare – Twelfth Review
-The Bronte’s Mysterious World- Glass Town Review
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