BOOK REVIEW: Gothrella

TITLE: Gothrella
AUTHOR: Paul Miller

PUBLISHED BY: Independent

Gothrella is inspired by the traditional and well-loved story of Cinderella. It has 86 pages of small print interspersed with coloured photographs taken by author Miller who is a deaf artist from Newcastle-upon-Tyne. He cites that it is difficult to find literature featuring or containing deaf people, especially as a main character in a book; this story does just that. It is targeted for young deaf people to be inspired by leading deaf role models whether that’s in a book, on TV or in a community.  Additionally he says it is equally important for hearing children to learn and understand deafness.

In the story, Gothrella is a young deaf girl, an only child who lost her mother, who was also born deaf, a few weeks after she was born. Gothrella uses British Sign Language to communicate with her father but he was often away on business and then dies, leaving her with her stepmother, and stepsister, in what was once her family home. 

Gothrella spends most of her time alone in her bedroom playing with items her mother left behind; Eva, the doll her mother gave her when she was born, a beautiful evening dress and a dazzling pair of red opera gloves plus a photograph of her mother.

Gothrella is faced with many obstacles; her stepmother is envious of her, forbidding her to use British Sign Language which she used with her father when he was alive, but her stepmother hates it and forbids Gothrella to sign to her. Gothrella loses her confidence and feels isolated but helpful support is received from friendly characters throughout her journey. 

Gothrella keeps her late mother’s magic opera gloves hidden away from her wicked stepmother; they enable Gothrella to sign beautifully and help to build her confidence. One day her evil stepmother sees Gothrella wearing the magic opera gloves; she is furious and begins a campaign to stop Gothrella finding happiness.

In her pursuit of happiness Gothrella encounters many magical things and takes many whimsical journeys but happily the story ends well, when Gothrella finds independent happiness.

The story takes its cue from the animated film 'Cinderella' and films such as Tim Burton’s 'Alice In Wonderland', which the author states inspired him to write and illustrate Gothrella.

This story is easy to follow, understandable and straightforward. It is not the same as the traditional fairy-tale of Cinderella; Gothrella has a sinister twist, with no glass slipper and a much more gothic theme.

The book is full of colourful photographs on nearly every other page, which help relate the imaginative story well but I think the print is rather small and would have been better in a larger font, although this would have meant the story would appear longer and it is already quite lengthy.

The story includes strong messages to help deaf readers identify with the characters and I’m sure they will help them with their own personal challenges in daily life. The story has been written to encourage deaf readers to learn and use British Sign Language as the author was not allowed to use it whilst a child in the school he attended and because of this he was bullied and made to feel an outsider.

Author, Paul Miller is a director of Surface Area Dance Theatre and the founder and director of Rory’s Studio, an award-winning arts organisation working across illustration, animation and live theatre. As a deaf British Sign Language user, Miller’s work is designed to illuminate and educate on Deaf culture within mainstream spaces.

Reviewer - Anne Pritchard