Dragonslippers

January 30, 2006
In this deft, honest work, writer-illustrator Penfold documents how she traveled from successful businesswoman to abused wife and back again. With a simple, naïve drawing style and matter-of-fact tone, Penfold illustrates just how a confident person can be seduced and dominated by another. Her story starts when she meets Brian at a party and he sweeps her off her feet. A widower, he's ready for a full-time woman in his life, and Roz rapidly becomes absorbed into his sphere, sharing outings and devoting her weekends to his four children. But warning bells start ringing even before they leave for their whirlwind wedding in Greece, and his Jekyll and Hyde routine begins almost immediately after. Penfold, a well-adjusted and compassionate woman, is at first confused by his behavior and reluctant to write off her husband as an abusive, possibly schizophrenic, probable alcoholic. She questions herself, and tries harder, sticking around because she feels deeply responsible for his children, even as his behavior becomes ever more erratic and horrifying. Penfold's simplistic art and direct style are nothing fancy, but they still enable her to tell a compelling story—readers will be relieved by the strength she shows to leave this doomed relationship.