It is the Victorian era, and Hanako has traveled to England all the way from Japan in order to meet her favorite author, Victor Franks. While tracking the elusive Franks down, she’s taken a job as a maid to Alice, the daughter of a Duke.
Alice is very beautiful and kind to Hanako and, even though it annoys the other maids, Hanako is nice enough, so work is not arduous. Hanako likes Alice, but can see that her mistress is sad. One day, when once again speaking about Victor Franks, Alice asks Hanako for a promise – she will introduce the young Japanese woman to the author, but in return Hanako will help Alice kill herself. Hanako is appalled, but agrees, when she understands why.
Alice is engaged to a young noble Edward. Edward seems a good fit for Alice, but it is immediately apparent that she does not love him. In conversation with Edward’s companions, we learn that Alice is rumored to have previously fallen in love with her governess. And, it seems obvious to us…and Edward…that Alice is quite taken with her maid.
Volume 1 of Sayonara Rose Garden (さよならローズガーデン) is not as scandalous as it might have been even 40 years ago, this story must therefore not be a horror story, or a scandal sheet, but a story of redemption. Dr. Pepperco’s art is detailed without being obsessive, and the characters are appealing, almost despite themselves. With the fraught tone and the Victorian setting one keeps waiting for high melodrama which never quite comes – something I actually appreciate. Instead, everyone is a little extra sincere and earnest. I can’t even dislike Edward, because how sucky would it be to be in his position?
I expected the volume to be a penny dreadful, with Victorian creepiness, but it’s actually a sad little story that I expect to see turned around in a pleasantly predictable ending. ^_^
Ratings:
Art – 7
Story – 7
Characters – 8
Service – 3 Victorian underwear, because of course there is, but not too salacious
Yuri – 6
Overall – 7
As Alice and Hanako run off together, we can see the inevitable climax, and all its little denouements, but whatever, it’s all in good fun.
Premise is pretty generic, but I like such yuri the most because they have a distinct plot and somehow depict real life. Of course, this is not Yagatte Kimi ni Naru, but clearly better than the modern trend for female characters, who are attracted to other girls only because of the lack of male characters nearby.