Manga Maniac Cafe For the Geek in all of us

Title:  Shirley

Author: Kaoru Mori

Publisher: CMX

ISBN: 9781401217778

May Contain Spoilers

Shirley is an easy read, and at a single volume, it’s also easy on the pocket book.  Written prior to Mori’s other maid title, EMMA, the illustrations aren’t as complex, but they are still very charming.  I especially like her drawings of children – the simple lines skillfully capture a myriad of expressions as they move from one panel to the next.

There are five chapters featuring the 13 year old maid, Shirley, and her new employer, Miss Bennett Cranley.  The independent Miss Cranley is very reluctant to hire the young applicant, but afraid that she has nowhere else to go, she agrees to give Shirley the position advertised in the paper.  Their relationship slowly develops, though it’s not without its missteps.  Shirley is very reserved, rarely allowing her feelings to show, as though she’s afraid of letting her true self emerge. 

In “Me and Nellie and One Afternoon” the precocious young master of an estate is in love with his maid, Nellie.  Too bad he’s only 5!  He also has some competition from his tutor, who is also in love with the maid.  In “Mary Banks” a maid has to put up with her employer’s constant pranks and practical jokes.  The old man was annoying, but the ending was touching enough that I forgave him for being such a pain.  No wonder the help kept quitting. 

The book kept me pleasantly entertained, and because it’s complete in one volume, there’s no huge commitment to enjoy the title. 

Grade: B

Rated for Teen