Phoolan Devi, Rebel Queen

March 2, 2020
Based on the autobiography of Phoolan Devi (1963-2001), India’s notorious “Queen of the Bandits,” this passionate battle cry of a graphic tribute by Fauvel (Catherine’s War) roots itself in Devi’s early experiences as a member of the oppressed Mallah community of the Shudrah caste, a child bride, and a survivor of repeated sexual violence. Devi is married at 11 and raped by her husband. She’s rescued by her father only to be tormented by men and boys in her village and gang-raped by police. From there, she’s captured by—then joins—a roving gang of bandits, among whom she grows to regional infamy. Throughout, she plots revenge, which she eventually enacts by beating, maiming, and killing men who harmed her or other poor women and girls, and by robbing the wealthy and redistributing funds to impoverished surrounding communities. Her capture, imprisonment, pardon, and subsequent election to Parliament are given shorter coverage in bookending scenes. Fauvel’s loose, scribbly pencil drawings and jewel-toned colors capture both the rare joy and extreme sorrows of Phoolan’s early life, including disturbing, graphic rape scenes. Fauvel portrays Phoolan’s tender expressions of charity, and her love marriage to a fellow bandit, and her most violent acts against the powerful in the same vibrant strokes. This striking biography is as memorable as its vigilante heroine.

Starred review from April 1, 2020

The title of Fauvel's (Catherine's War) new work its subject's brave stance on the cover, are great indicators of what's inside--Phoolan's story is breathtaking and courageous. Born poor in north India and sold into marriage at 11, Phoolan had injustices heaped on her by virtue of her sex and social class from a young age. After entreaties for community help failed, Phoolan became involved with gangs of bandits living outside the law, robbing, seeking revenge, and engaging in intergang warfare. focuses on Phoolan's thirst for revenge--against her brutal husband, against rich men who hurt her family, and ultimately against all men perpetuating sexual violence and injustice toward women. Though Fauvel's telling surely omits elements of a complicated life, it captures Phoolan's physical settings and her emotional journey with a deeply empathetic hand, demanding that readers experience them completely. Scenes of sexual and retaliatory violence, integral to the plot, are frequent throughout, so adults and mature teens should proceed with caution. VERDICT A woman operating with an eye-for-an-eye attitude is a rare and powerful thing, and this heroic tale of Phoolan's journey from despair and abuse to justice and renown, is intoxicating.--Emilia Packard, Tokyo, Japan

Copyright 2020 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 15, 2020
Phoolan Devi was born into the Shudra caste, one of the lower social strata in India. As a result of her status and her gender, she endures horrific offenses: marriage at 11, several rapes, and harassment by men, women, and police for being a single woman. When she is recruited by a group of dacoits, or bandits, she becomes their leader in the fight against the caste system and injustice towards women. Writer-illustrator Fauvel does not shy away from depicting the great suffering Phoolan faced throughout her life (rape is shown, not merely alluded to) as well as the lengths she went through to seek justice. The use of neutral colors and detailed facial expressions will have readers feeling her pain and sympathizing with her suffering. This book is based on the autobiography, I, Phoolan Devi (1997); terms specific to Phoolan's region are defined at the bottom of the page, lending authenticity to the graphic adaptation.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)