The Lost Sunday - Iléana Surducan - ★★★★★

AUTHOR: Iléana Surducan

GENRE: Graphic Novel.

PUBLICATION DATE: June 17, 2025

RATING: 5 stars!

In a Nutshell: A graphic novel highlighting the issue of burnouts and the importance of breaks. Brilliant story written in fairy-tale style. Some of the most visually stimulating illustrations I have ever seen. Contains an excellent message for kiddos as well as adults. Much recommended to everyone!

Plot Preview:

Young Nina lives in a dusty old town where, haunted by the six angry wolves of the week, everyone faces endless drudgery. The seventh day brings no respite because there is NO seventh day. Legend has it that an evil witch stole Sunday for her own personal use.

One day, Nina, fed up of the never-ending chores, declares that enough is enough. She sets off on a quest to go to the witch and get Sunday back.

This book was first published in Romanian in 2021 under the title ‘Duminica pierdută’. This English translation is to be published in June 2025. This story takes inspiration from multiple versions of a fairy tale, the original being the German ‘Frau Holle’, written by the Brothers Grimm in 1812.

This is one of the cleverest and most stunning graphic novels I have ever read! After a long time, I found a book that I could easily dole out the full 5 stars too. Though it is quite short, barely 78 pages long including the add-on content, it packs quite a punch.

We adults know what a burnout feels like. In today’s world, with the endless quest for more and better, many of us, despite being fatigued and stressed, have stopped taking the time to just sit and breathe, to spend quality time without screens, to dive into nature first-hand. However, as W.H. Davies’ famous poem ‘Leisure’ says, “What is this life if, full of care, We have no time to stand and stare.” This book gently reminds us of the importance of good work-life balance and the value of leisure time.

While there are many aspects I absolutely enjoyed, I most appreciate the depiction of Nina’s quest. It uses a trope often found in fairy tales, but the author found a smart way of making it unique. I also love how the entire community is supportive of Nina’s journey. Though she is the only one to venture on the dangerous journey, the book highlights the ways in which the townsfolk helped her before and after. Fairy tales often contain solo quests of bravado, so seeing the other characters also play a part, however small, is welcome.

There are some things the story leaves unaddressed (specifically related to the events prior to the start), but these don’t impact the ongoing plot. And the end result is so fabulous that it is easy to thwart those teeny doubts.

Where do I begin praising the illustrations!? They are utterly divine! I usually give about 60-40 weightage to plot and graphics respectively in illustrated books, but in this book, the graphics alone were easily worth a 1000 points. Such an imaginative rendering of the days of the week and the other fantastical elements! Such amazing intricacies in the background! Such a clever use of colour and shadows! Such smart character detailing! I would love to get a physical copy of this book just to gaze at the sketches.

The lettering is also amazing. The speech bubbles come in the usual pattern, but there are many added lines and even onomatopoeic sound effects hidden in the illustrations. The writing style of these helps us *hear* the sound perfectly.

Though a graphic novel with a young lead character, this is a fairy tale for all ages. Kids will enjoy the words. Adults will hopefully appreciate what’s being said between the lines. There is a lot of clever metaphorical content in the plot. If you are like me – slow with literary metaphors, do not worry. The bonus content at the end explains some of the hidden figurative content.

All in all, the three of us (my two little buddy readers and I) enjoyed this beautiful journey. Nina’s quest made us all not just understand the value of me-time but also appreciate the power of human imagination as visible in those glorious illustrations.

Much, much recommended, especially to fantasy and fairy tale lovers! This would be a fabulous book for the entire family. Maybe toss away those teeny screens and read this magical book together – that could be your first step towards quality free-time.

My thanks to Oni Press for providing the DRC of “The Lost Sunday” via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.