~Winter's Tale~ (C1-8) introduces the illegitimate brothers Linus and Lawrence as they are adopted into Earl Roland's family, and the mysterious circumstances surrounding their mother's death. Linus ruthlessly scavenges for information and appears to be somewhat convinced and appeased by the answers he finds, bowing out of the story since he goes off to boarding school but pops up for Xmas.
~Spring Paean~ (C9-37/V2-9) seamlessly continues with the arrival of a new governess and the changes she causes in the family. Things eventually reach breaking point.
Imagine the von Trapp family story (disobedient children learn to love studying and their moralistic governess), and add Miss Havisham and Estella (the Earl's wife and second son William) plus the Earl and his mistress and two other sons. Now throw in Victorian social prejudice and totally deranged ideas of love/polygamy/BDSM/rape/blackmail... The list seems endless. The cover is black for a reason: this plot is dark!! But I love it!! For some reason I can empathise with the wife who is slowly going insane like Lady Macbeth while the Earl is fairly loopy himself we later find out... Scary stuff. Actually, Linus seems to be the sanest of all of them: he left. Wise choice.
I have no idea where this story is heading (what will happen to the governess' love triangle?, or the Earl's divorce? or some new twist in the story?), how it will end (will we find out if the children continue down their chosen career paths? or who will succeed the title?) or even how long it lasts (will there be a Summer and Autumn part?) but I'm looking forward to reading it!

... Last updated on July 11th, 2016, 1:17pm

i don't agree with the description. i don't see Lawrence as the main character (well at least till vol.3 tat i read today), so i disagree with the synopsis up there. well, whatever it is still a good manga. worth to read (actually i love it very much!)

The description is a bit misleading. Actually Linus starts out as a complete and utter ***hole with a chip on his shoulder a mile wide, and only later comes to care and worry about his mother's death. It's still compelling reading anyway, but only because I'm on tenterhooks waiting for Linus to get his well-deserved comeuppance. Can't wait for the next volume!