Long before stories were seen merely as entertainment, they were a way of preserving ideas that could not always be openly expressed—about love, freedom, identity and resistance. Isabel Greenberg’s acclaimed graphic novel The One Hundred Nights of Hero taps into that tradition, offering a bold and contemporary reimagining of One Thousand and One Nights.
The graphic novel has gained renewed attention following its adaptation into the feature film 100 Nights of Hero, directed by Julia Jackman and starring Emma Corrin, Nicholas Galitzine, Maika Monroe, Charli XCX, Amir El-Masry, Felicity Jones and Richard E. Grant.
Set in the fictional Empire of Migdal Bavel, the story revolves around Hero and Cherry, whose relationship is threatened by a ruthless wager. Faced with losing the woman she loves, Hero turns to storytelling as an act of resistance. Over the course of one hundred nights, she narrates tales of rebellious women, fearless adventurers, tricksters, dreamers and impossible journeys, creating a world where stories become a means of survival.
Blending fantasy, folklore and queer romance, Greenberg reinterprets a centuries-old storytelling tradition through a feminist lens, placing women’s voices, choices and desires at the centre of the narrative. The result is a work that speaks directly to contemporary readers drawn to stories of female solidarity, identity and belonging.
The novel has earned widespread critical acclaim. The Observer described it as “a feminist fairy-tale” and “an instant classic”, while The Guardian praised it as “an enchanting second graphic novel”.
Isabel Greenberg is an award-winning London-based writer and illustrator best known for The Encyclopedia of Early Earth, which won the British Comic Award for Best Book. She also teaches at Kingston School of Art and has a new graphic novel, Confinement, scheduled for publication in 2028.
At a time when folklore retellings and inclusive storytelling are enjoying a global resurgence, The One Hundred Nights of Hero stands out as a timely reminder of storytelling’s enduring power—not just to entertain, but to challenge conventions and imagine new possibilities.
