Somna by Becky Cloonan and Tula Lotay

[singedsun]

 Recently finished the graphic novel, Somna (link to Goodreads).

 

It's a story of witch burnings focused on our main character, Ingrid. She's married to Roland, the town's bailiff and their chief witch hunter. Ingrid is desperate for more out of her husband, wanting a more intimate relationship which he currently seems unwilling or afraid of giving her. In her dreams then, something comes to her, eager to give her what she's craving. 

Ingrid has a friend in town, Maja, who keeps her company in the woods during the burnings. She wants to be far away, despite Roland's invites to accompany him to the witch burnings in town. Maja is married, but is a little wild herself and has some interest in another man who's wife was recently declared a witch and burned. 

Still, at night, this creature comes to her. It tempts her, taunts her, and desperate as she is for touch and intimacy, she refuses to give in to him.

If you've never seen art by Becky Cloonan or Tula Lotay, you are definitely missing out. The beginning of each issue in this graphic novel have several pages of Tula's art which is quite realistic despite it's dream-like quality. Her faces are expressive and gorgeous. Becky's art takes up the majority of the other pages, and everything is just so crisp and emotive and makes it easy to understand what's happening in every panel. 

If Salem style stories are your thing, this one is definitely worth your time. Just beware that the adult nature of this story is going to back it good for high shelves if you buy it physically.