Whatcha readin'? August 2019 - Graphic novels
Alright nerds, this month I stepped out of my comfort zone (sort of) and read of bunch of graphic novels, all recommended by an expert!
Le reste du monde
Vol. 1-3
[Graphic Novel, Lang.: French]
Jean-Christophe Chauzy. Casterman, 2015-...
A (single-parent) family's struggle to survive in a post-apocalyptic France:
I loved:
- The post-apocalyptic landscapes (gorgeous watercolors which you can sample here).
- The teenagers stuck at summer camp who organize and create a viable mini-society that does not turn into Lord of the Flies.
I found disappointing:
- The constant horror and tragedy, some comic relief would have been welcome!
- The systematic rape of all of the female characters. This gave me Barjavel's Ravage vibes (English title: Ashes, Ashes), with characters falling back on conservative gender dynamics and a total submission of women.
I recommend for readers aged 16+.
Les petits ruisseaux
[Graphic Novel, Lang.: French]
Pascal Rabaté. Futuropolis, 2006.
After his best friend's funeral, an old man finds out that said-friend was painting erotica and had a lot of girlfriends despite his old age. This prompts a mini crisis (of the type "I'm so lame, why don't I have a girlfriend, I don't have a foot in the grave just yet"), after which the old man decides to find himself a girlfriend and get laid.
I loved:
- ... not much. I did not care one bit about whether or not the old geezer would end up getting some.
I did not like:
- The fact that this would probably fail a reverse-Bechdel test.
- The fact that not much happens.
I DO NOT recommend, not even for older teenagers. This would bore them to death.
Les vieux fourneaux
Vol 1. Ceux qui restent
[Graphic Novel, Lang.: French]
Wilfrid Lupano & Paul Cauuet. Dargaud, 2014.
Another crazy-old-people adventure: retired factory workers and trade union reps wreak havoc on a road trip to their former employer's estate, to confront him about his affair with the wife of one of the protagonists.
I loved:
- The humor. Now these old guys are funny! They give zero f's, and take advantage of their old age and disabilities in the worst ways. Political Incorrectness at its best!
- The characters taking stock of their lives and their accomplishments. Some profound and emotional moments.
Teenage readers aren't very likely to identify with the characters, but they might enjoy their mischieviousness!
Zaï Zaï Zaï Zaï
[Graphic Novel, Lang.: French]
Fabcaro. Glénat, 2015.
How to describe Fabcaro... He writes an acid and absurd brand of gallows' humor? I guess that sort of captures his tone.
This is subtitled "un road-movie de Fabcaro": a graphic novel author is at the store buying groceries and realizes he has forgotten his store card. As we quickly understand, this is a capital offence in the present universe. He has to run away, and.... the best sort of nonsensical randomness ensues.
I loved everything about this!
I find it incredible how much he can convey with such a minimalist style.
Would recommend to 16+, as the humor might be a bit difficult to understand by younger readers. (Oh, and nudity).
Moins qu'hier (plus qu'aujourd'hui)
[Graphic Novel, Lang.: French]
Fabcaro. Glénat, 2018.
Same style. Same humor. In this one, Fabcaro makes fun of couples and relationships.
1 page = 1 absurd situation.
This was a bit dark at times, even for me.
Would not recommend it for teens.
Paul à Québec
[Graphic Novel, Lang.: French]
Michel Rabagliati. La Pastèque, 2009.
A Québecois graphic novel!
In this volume, Paul's father-in-law is diagnosed with a terminal illness. This is about a family coming together during hard times.
The way the relationships were portrayed was sweet. I don't know if this is autobiographical, but you can tell that this is an extremely tight-knit family who would do anything for one another.
This is a tough subject to portray in literature, but here it is handled with grace.
I wouldn't recommend this to younger teens, though, as it focuses on the grand-father's illness for a long time. 16+.
Sainte famille
[Graphic Novel, Lang.: French]
Xavier Mussat. Ego comme X, 2004.
This gives me Spiegelman and Bechdel vibes:
- it's autobiographical
- Mussat tries to fix his problematic relationship with his father, which is due to the fact that his father abandoned them when Mussat was still quite young.
- he analyzes his subsequent nearly-incestual relationship with this mother.
- he tries to understand and overcome his issues as an adult.
The visual style is quite unique, very dark, which suits the mood.
The literary style is also a nice surprise, but not easy to read.
Recommend for older teens (like Bechel).
Alright, this was the most graphic novels I've read in a month! Bye for now, keep on readin’!