#987 of 1001 · April 14, 2023

I can’t help but chuckle in amusement even as I shudder in horror when reading George Harland and Rowan Barnes-Murphy’s adaption of a tale recorded by Charles Dickens—Captain Murderer. Good heavens, what a title! Captain Murderer is a gentleman who specializes in marrying wealthy young brides, chopping them up, baking them in pies, and eating them. He even has his teeth filed by the family blacksmith in preparation for satisfying his ghoulish appetites. He eventually makes the mistake of marrying and devouring a lady with a vengeful twin sister. The sister presents herself as an eager bride, but before the villain cooks her and eats her she consumes a deadly poison. In unbearable agony, Captain Murderer swells, turns blue, screams, and explodes. Harland closely adapts Dickens’s text, and Barnes-Murphy contributes delightfully macabre cartoon-style illustrations. A note for folklore enthusiasts: Dickens included this story in his book The Uncommercial Traveler. Though the plot details differ, the themes of matrimony and cannibalism are reminiscent of the grisly tale The Robber Bridegroom (recorded by the Brothers Grimm) and its variants. #captain #murder #bride #groom #pie #poison #book #books #childrensbooks #beautifulbook #beautifulbooks #beautifulbookcovers #picturebook #picturebooks #picturebookillustration #picturebookart #childrensbookillustration #childrensliterature #illustration #kidlit #kidsbooks #bookworm #booklover #booklovers #bibliophile #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagrammers #instabook #instabooks