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Le vol du corbeau #1-2
Flight of the Raven
Winner of the Best Artist Award at the Angoul�me Festival! Lushly illustrated and one of the most stunningly beautiful graphic novels of the 21st century.
The story takes place in Paris during the German Occupation and stars a memorable heroine in the French Resistance fighter named Jeanne. With the help of an apolitical cat burglar named Fran�ois, she tries to save her comrades, including her missing sister C�cile, from the Gestapo. They walk in the places between shadows, as Gibrat uses the evocative Paris rooftops and river barges on the Seine almost as separate characters. The book also includes a portfolio of pin-ups featuring its heroine.
Nominated for two 2018 Eisner Awards, for Best U.S. Edition of International Material and Best Painter/Multimedia Artist (interior art) for creator Jean-Pierre Gibrat.
The story takes place in Paris during the German Occupation and stars a memorable heroine in the French Resistance fighter named Jeanne. With the help of an apolitical cat burglar named Fran�ois, she tries to save her comrades, including her missing sister C�cile, from the Gestapo. They walk in the places between shadows, as Gibrat uses the evocative Paris rooftops and river barges on the Seine almost as separate characters. The book also includes a portfolio of pin-ups featuring its heroine.
Nominated for two 2018 Eisner Awards, for Best U.S. Edition of International Material and Best Painter/Multimedia Artist (interior art) for creator Jean-Pierre Gibrat.
144 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
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June 24, 2017
“We’ll always have Paris.”—Ilsa, in Casablanca
I once had a heated discussion in a bar about who was the beautiful actress of all time, Lauren Bacall in To Have or Have Not, or Ingrid Bergman in Casablanca. Other names were mentioned, various scenes and films were discussed, but these two names in those respective films rose to the top, and oh, the period of these films, black and white, the rich romantic tone of these films, oh!
(Ingrid Bergman, for me, always, though I do know how to whistle, Lauren).
But Gibrat, the master artist, would choose his own creation, his Pygmalion-woman Jeanne, were this a movie, without question. She’s in almost every panel, wearing her signature red beret, which figures in the tale importantly, and which becomes the emblem of both her beauty and the resistance.
Prince, Raspberry Beret:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKO0W...
Flight of the Raven is a WWII romantic adventure about Beauty, the beauty of the main character Jeanne, her sister Cécile, her thief friend François, the beauty of wine and friendship and laughter, but especially of Paris in the mid-twentieth century. This lovely graphic novel, only recently translated into English, takes place during the beginning of the liberation of Paris by the Allies in 1944. Jeanne is in jail, where she meets François, who is skeptical of her communism, but agrees to help her.
Jeanne is in the resistance, desperately trying to find her sister, and the two join forces to do that in this book, taking refuge on a boat with Rene’s family. Various adventures ensue. But every chance he gets, Gibrat shows us scenes of his beloved Paris, who vies for his attention as much as Jeanne. This is an outstanding graphic novel for those who love romantic adventure, and are maybe in love with that period, and Paris. It’s not completely fluff, actually, as it gets at the importance of resistance, of commitment, collaboration in the face of evil. But maybe art lovers most of all, beautiful story, beautiful art! All the stars! More Gibrt, I say (and maybe more Jeanne?)!
Some images from the book. Just take a few seconds, c’mon, make your day!
https://www.google.com/search?q=jean-...
I once had a heated discussion in a bar about who was the beautiful actress of all time, Lauren Bacall in To Have or Have Not, or Ingrid Bergman in Casablanca. Other names were mentioned, various scenes and films were discussed, but these two names in those respective films rose to the top, and oh, the period of these films, black and white, the rich romantic tone of these films, oh!
(Ingrid Bergman, for me, always, though I do know how to whistle, Lauren).
But Gibrat, the master artist, would choose his own creation, his Pygmalion-woman Jeanne, were this a movie, without question. She’s in almost every panel, wearing her signature red beret, which figures in the tale importantly, and which becomes the emblem of both her beauty and the resistance.
Prince, Raspberry Beret:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKO0W...
Flight of the Raven is a WWII romantic adventure about Beauty, the beauty of the main character Jeanne, her sister Cécile, her thief friend François, the beauty of wine and friendship and laughter, but especially of Paris in the mid-twentieth century. This lovely graphic novel, only recently translated into English, takes place during the beginning of the liberation of Paris by the Allies in 1944. Jeanne is in jail, where she meets François, who is skeptical of her communism, but agrees to help her.
Jeanne is in the resistance, desperately trying to find her sister, and the two join forces to do that in this book, taking refuge on a boat with Rene’s family. Various adventures ensue. But every chance he gets, Gibrat shows us scenes of his beloved Paris, who vies for his attention as much as Jeanne. This is an outstanding graphic novel for those who love romantic adventure, and are maybe in love with that period, and Paris. It’s not completely fluff, actually, as it gets at the importance of resistance, of commitment, collaboration in the face of evil. But maybe art lovers most of all, beautiful story, beautiful art! All the stars! More Gibrt, I say (and maybe more Jeanne?)!
Some images from the book. Just take a few seconds, c’mon, make your day!
https://www.google.com/search?q=jean-...
January 12, 2020
3.5 stars
The illustrator of this novel, knighted in the French Ordre de Arts et des Lettres in 2014 has combined his interest in history with his love to illustrate. After his career as a graphic designer and advertising artist, he made his first debut in comics in 1977, followed by several illustrated shorts in magazines and papers. Between the years 1997 and 1999 he published The Reprieve (Le Sursis) in two volumes, taking place during the German occupation in Paris 1943. These introduced the heroine Cecile, whose sister Jeanne is the protagonist of Flight of the Raven, also published in two parts in 2002 and 2005.
I came to this novel two years ago at a book sale, unknowing of this author/illustrator, nor the publications that preceded this graphic novel. What drew me to make the purchase were the beautiful illustrations of Paris, my love for historical fiction and the beauty of the main female protagonist, Jeanne on the cover.
Always on the lookout for the other sort of ‘comic’ that isn’t filled with superheroes possessing any kind of superpowers, I was pleased in my find of this one to add to my collection. The style of artistry in these graphics strongly imbues a sense for the time and the simple elegance of Paris right before WWII left its mark on it. From the rooftops and markets to the houseboats along the Seine to the gendarmerie, a nostalgic picture shines through this story, highlighting the beautiful city and parts of the countryside most romantically.
The novel opens up with Jeanne, a resistance fighter, locked up in a cell, denounced by an anonymous letter as a traitor to be turned over to the Germans. There, she is joined by the charismatic burglar Francois who becomes intrigued by the gentile albeit feisty Jeanne. Cunningly, he seizes the first opportunity to escape offering Jeanne to come along and together they whisk over rooftops and through the streets of Paris, finding refuge on a houseboat with some friends of his. Though they don’t know the whole truth of each other's crimes, they unite in the effort to evade the Germans to find Jeanne’s sister Cecile, who was taken by the Gestapo, betrayed by a double agent.
The story fills with other memorable characters like the boy who helps Jeanne to retrace her tracks and the sweet couple that owns the houseboat. A kinship, moments of joy, friendship and the reminiscence in the simple pleasures of life, subtly give pause to the events of the war. But a sudden checkpoint inspection by the Germans changes all notions and pace of the story, wherein the moral choices made in the time of war unveil bravery as well as the treachery of the character’s future.
The beautiful graphics of this novel outshone the plot to me, however, Gibrat succeeded to convey deep human emotions and he added some satirical elements to his side characters like the inspector at the gendarmerie and his portrait of the ‘Krauts’. I love the natural beauty of the main character and found her stunningly captivating. The city of Paris, its streets and the houseboat are simply charming beyond measure. Without having read the other novel, I can’t say for sure what the intended emphasis of Flight of the Raven was. Though the occupation is a terrible time in history and played a driving role in this novel, the humanity and other elements of the story stood out to me more overall most fascinating.
A graphic novel of a different kind I’d recommend if you enjoy such nostalgia and captivating imagery.
Happy Reading :)
For pics and more of my reviews here:
Through Novel Time & Distance
The illustrator of this novel, knighted in the French Ordre de Arts et des Lettres in 2014 has combined his interest in history with his love to illustrate. After his career as a graphic designer and advertising artist, he made his first debut in comics in 1977, followed by several illustrated shorts in magazines and papers. Between the years 1997 and 1999 he published The Reprieve (Le Sursis) in two volumes, taking place during the German occupation in Paris 1943. These introduced the heroine Cecile, whose sister Jeanne is the protagonist of Flight of the Raven, also published in two parts in 2002 and 2005.
I came to this novel two years ago at a book sale, unknowing of this author/illustrator, nor the publications that preceded this graphic novel. What drew me to make the purchase were the beautiful illustrations of Paris, my love for historical fiction and the beauty of the main female protagonist, Jeanne on the cover.
Always on the lookout for the other sort of ‘comic’ that isn’t filled with superheroes possessing any kind of superpowers, I was pleased in my find of this one to add to my collection. The style of artistry in these graphics strongly imbues a sense for the time and the simple elegance of Paris right before WWII left its mark on it. From the rooftops and markets to the houseboats along the Seine to the gendarmerie, a nostalgic picture shines through this story, highlighting the beautiful city and parts of the countryside most romantically.
The novel opens up with Jeanne, a resistance fighter, locked up in a cell, denounced by an anonymous letter as a traitor to be turned over to the Germans. There, she is joined by the charismatic burglar Francois who becomes intrigued by the gentile albeit feisty Jeanne. Cunningly, he seizes the first opportunity to escape offering Jeanne to come along and together they whisk over rooftops and through the streets of Paris, finding refuge on a houseboat with some friends of his. Though they don’t know the whole truth of each other's crimes, they unite in the effort to evade the Germans to find Jeanne’s sister Cecile, who was taken by the Gestapo, betrayed by a double agent.
The story fills with other memorable characters like the boy who helps Jeanne to retrace her tracks and the sweet couple that owns the houseboat. A kinship, moments of joy, friendship and the reminiscence in the simple pleasures of life, subtly give pause to the events of the war. But a sudden checkpoint inspection by the Germans changes all notions and pace of the story, wherein the moral choices made in the time of war unveil bravery as well as the treachery of the character’s future.
The beautiful graphics of this novel outshone the plot to me, however, Gibrat succeeded to convey deep human emotions and he added some satirical elements to his side characters like the inspector at the gendarmerie and his portrait of the ‘Krauts’. I love the natural beauty of the main character and found her stunningly captivating. The city of Paris, its streets and the houseboat are simply charming beyond measure. Without having read the other novel, I can’t say for sure what the intended emphasis of Flight of the Raven was. Though the occupation is a terrible time in history and played a driving role in this novel, the humanity and other elements of the story stood out to me more overall most fascinating.
A graphic novel of a different kind I’d recommend if you enjoy such nostalgia and captivating imagery.
Happy Reading :)
For pics and more of my reviews here:
Through Novel Time & Distance
May 17, 2017
İlk Gibrat denemem olan Karganın Uçuşu, beni hem adı ile hem de kapağı ile etkiledi. Nedendir bilenmez okumaya başladığınız andan itibaren Fransa sokaklarında dolaşıyor hissini alıyor, kulağınızda Fransızca sözler duyuyor ve her an yanınızdan bagetini almış giden renkli şapkalı bir güzel Fransız kızı geçecek gibi düşünüyorsunuz.
Serinin diğer kitapları basılır mı bilmiyorum ama umarım basılır ve okumaya devam ederiz.
Serinin diğer kitapları basılır mı bilmiyorum ama umarım basılır ve okumaya devam ederiz.
October 9, 2022
Kitabın özellikle ilk çeyreğinde üç yıldıza, kim bilir nerelere gidecek bu iş diye kara kara düşünmeye başlamıştım. Daha hızlı, bol mekanlı bir giriş olmasına rağmen Gibrat’nın muhteşem çizimleri bile artık benim için bir ilk değildi. Erteleyiş o kıymetli “ilk” hissinin sahibiydi. Hem diyaloglarda hem anlatıcı metninde (çevirinin de etkisi olabilir) bir ahenk eksikliği vardı. Nispeten hızlı bir giriş dedim ama hikaye de yeterince akmıyordu. 1918’de İstanbul başta İngilizlerce işgal edilmişti ama Fransızların bu dönem yaşadıkları yine bana tam manasıyla geçmiyor gibiydi. Bir Avrupalı daha farklı hisseder diye düşünüyordum.
Neyse ki bu böyle devam etmedi. Sayfalar ilerledikçe, karakterlere ısındıkça, anlatı da bir parça daha akışkan hale geldi. Okuduğum yer, zaman, hal de etkiliyordur ama Erteleyiş’den daha çok eğlendiğim bir kitap oldu. Çizimler için de bir alışma imasından bahsetmiştim ya (insan sürekli boğazı izlese… anti klişe timi gelecek burada durayım 🙃) hah işte usta Gibrat orada da şovunu yapıyor. Önceki kitap üzerine şaşırtamayacak derken yine üstüne koymuş bir albüme dönüşüyor sayfalar ilerledikçe. Şehir, cadde manzaraları, iç mekan detayları, kostümler, araçlar… Nefis parisien paneller! Très beau! Fakat burada işi lezzetlendiren bir nehir botu/mavna teması var ki, çok hoşuma gidiyor. Su, dalgalar ve akisler kötü icra edildiğinde çizimleri, görüntüyü çok ucuzlaştırabiliyor. İşte bu sebeple Gibrat’nın ustalığı yüzümü güldürüyor. Her panelde o kanallar ve üzerinde seyredenler ayrı güzel, özenli birer resim.
Tabi yine görselin hikayeyi aştığı bir durumla karşı karşıyayız. Böyle güzel bir icra olmasa bu kadar okunur dikkat çeker miydi, bilmiyorum. Birbiri ardına okunması uygun olmakla birlikte okuyunca gördüm ki, hem Erteleyiş hem Karganın Uçuşu müstakil olarak okunabilir. İdeali Erteleyiş ve Karganın Uçuşu sıralaması ile okumak. Bu şekilde özellikle bu cildin finalinde olanlar daha anlaşılır, duygusal hale dönüşecektir.
Neyse ki bu böyle devam etmedi. Sayfalar ilerledikçe, karakterlere ısındıkça, anlatı da bir parça daha akışkan hale geldi. Okuduğum yer, zaman, hal de etkiliyordur ama Erteleyiş’den daha çok eğlendiğim bir kitap oldu. Çizimler için de bir alışma imasından bahsetmiştim ya (insan sürekli boğazı izlese… anti klişe timi gelecek burada durayım 🙃) hah işte usta Gibrat orada da şovunu yapıyor. Önceki kitap üzerine şaşırtamayacak derken yine üstüne koymuş bir albüme dönüşüyor sayfalar ilerledikçe. Şehir, cadde manzaraları, iç mekan detayları, kostümler, araçlar… Nefis parisien paneller! Très beau! Fakat burada işi lezzetlendiren bir nehir botu/mavna teması var ki, çok hoşuma gidiyor. Su, dalgalar ve akisler kötü icra edildiğinde çizimleri, görüntüyü çok ucuzlaştırabiliyor. İşte bu sebeple Gibrat’nın ustalığı yüzümü güldürüyor. Her panelde o kanallar ve üzerinde seyredenler ayrı güzel, özenli birer resim.
Tabi yine görselin hikayeyi aştığı bir durumla karşı karşıyayız. Böyle güzel bir icra olmasa bu kadar okunur dikkat çeker miydi, bilmiyorum. Birbiri ardına okunması uygun olmakla birlikte okuyunca gördüm ki, hem Erteleyiş hem Karganın Uçuşu müstakil olarak okunabilir. İdeali Erteleyiş ve Karganın Uçuşu sıralaması ile okumak. Bu şekilde özellikle bu cildin finalinde olanlar daha anlaşılır, duygusal hale dönüşecektir.
January 22, 2020
The art of Paris is just fantastic. The architectural details, the cars, the fashion... all of it is well done and lush. The people are all great, except the main character, who is drawn like such a model, always with perfect make up on (regardless if she is wearing make up or not). She always looks healthy, with blushed cheeks and perfectly parted lips, and so on. Basically, it is the fantasy of a French resistance fighter, not the real one. Most of the plot is rather static with just a few key events happening. When Jeanne is so worried and scared, she still finds time to fall in love and have picnics (a plot device that is very pervasive, though it's hard to imagine it in reality; perhaps afterwards, when the situation gets better, or perhaps in a long-term distress situation, all of this is possible, but just in a few days when all she should care about is finding her sister...) Then there is the narration that French cartoonists just love, which usually makes everything sound a bit immature or over-explained. And not surprisingly, the female lead of the story is just a damsel in distress who swiftly falls in love with the mighty bad boy. Again, very much a fantasy, and not doing any justice to those women who did fight tooth and nail against the Nazis (not saying they could not be pretty or not fall in love, but just the way it is done is not very realistic... otherwise, those women could do anything!)
Overall, the art is worth the read, not the plot. The supporting cast is funny and adds a bit more substance to the story, but otherwise the danger never really seems that close and the romance is just too perfect (and unrealistic).
Recommended for those who like heights, red berets, damsels in distress, river boats, and pedicabs.
Overall, the art is worth the read, not the plot. The supporting cast is funny and adds a bit more substance to the story, but otherwise the danger never really seems that close and the romance is just too perfect (and unrealistic).
Recommended for those who like heights, red berets, damsels in distress, river boats, and pedicabs.
September 27, 2019
Een graphic novel over een Franse vrouw die in het verzet zit.
Zoals iedereen ondertussen wel weet van mij, ik ben geinteresseerd in boeken over de Tweede Wereldoorlog. Nu zag ik dit boek bij een van mijn bibliotheken en ik was meteen geinteresseerd, ik wilde dit boek maar graag proberen. De cover was ook zeker een dingetje dat de deal helemaal verzegelde.
Ontmoet Jeanne, aan het begin van het boek is zij opgepakt door de politie, ze ontmoet daar Francois een dief met een grote mond (al heeft madam zelf ook een enorm grote mond). We zien een spannende vlucht over daken, al moet ik zeggen dat Jeanne toch minder moet zeuren en wie springt er dan ook met hakken?
Daarna lezen we over hoe Jeanne probeert haar zus te redden, uit te vinden wie de mol is, en verliefd wordt op Francois (al zag ik nog steeds niet hoe die twee pasten, ik vond ze meer goede vrienden). We volgen haar terwijl ze op een grote boot zit die door de Seine (en later op andere plekken) vaart. Hoe ze steeds dichter komt bij het gezin dat haar met liefde op de boot laat onderduiken, mijn hemel Huguette (??) die vrouw heeft altijd haar woordje klaar. We zien hoe ze via de boot dingen probeert te doen, samen met de zoon van het gezin of met Francois.
Vooral in het begin heeft ze hulp nodig van die twee want ze heeft haar enkel verzwikt/gekneust, ze kan er niks mee. Trouwens, ik vond het goed gedaan dat ze niet magisch opeens beter was, maar dat je langzaam zag dat ze meer met haar voet kon doen. Heel blij ermee, want ik heb wel eens anders gezien in boeken.
Ik moet zeggen dat het op punten erg interessant was, maar ook op punten dat ik verlangend naar mijn andere boek zat te kijken. Er waren wat dingen die ik apart vond. Zoals dat x en y simpel de boot vonden. En dan waren er dingen die ik jammer vond. Zoals het einde dat kwam best, voor mij in ieder geval, abrupt, en dan is het ook nog eens erg open. Ik had liever iets anders gezien, maar ach ik gok dat ik al blij moet zijn met dat dat in ieder geval zo ging.
De tekeningen waren best mooi gedaan, mooie stijl.
Oh, en even een waarschuwing, op een punt wordt Jeanne door een Frans/Duitse soldaat in het schip getrokken en haar top/blouse wordt weggerukt, er is dreiging van verkrachting. Ze heeft de keuze, schiet hem neer of wordt verkracht. Ik vond de reacties van de mensen om haar heen ook erg stom naderhand. Wat had ze dan moeten doen? Ik snap het enerzijds wel hoor, maar anderzijds... nee.
Al met al, ik ben nog steeds blij dat ik de kans had om deze graphic novel te lezen. Zoals ik al zei, op punten interessant om te lezen. Jeanne was, al ze niet steeds een grote mond had, een leuk en moedig karakter. En de achtergronden van het boek waren prachtig.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
Zoals iedereen ondertussen wel weet van mij, ik ben geinteresseerd in boeken over de Tweede Wereldoorlog. Nu zag ik dit boek bij een van mijn bibliotheken en ik was meteen geinteresseerd, ik wilde dit boek maar graag proberen. De cover was ook zeker een dingetje dat de deal helemaal verzegelde.
Ontmoet Jeanne, aan het begin van het boek is zij opgepakt door de politie, ze ontmoet daar Francois een dief met een grote mond (al heeft madam zelf ook een enorm grote mond). We zien een spannende vlucht over daken, al moet ik zeggen dat Jeanne toch minder moet zeuren en wie springt er dan ook met hakken?
Daarna lezen we over hoe Jeanne probeert haar zus te redden, uit te vinden wie de mol is, en verliefd wordt op Francois (al zag ik nog steeds niet hoe die twee pasten, ik vond ze meer goede vrienden). We volgen haar terwijl ze op een grote boot zit die door de Seine (en later op andere plekken) vaart. Hoe ze steeds dichter komt bij het gezin dat haar met liefde op de boot laat onderduiken, mijn hemel Huguette (??) die vrouw heeft altijd haar woordje klaar. We zien hoe ze via de boot dingen probeert te doen, samen met de zoon van het gezin of met Francois.
Vooral in het begin heeft ze hulp nodig van die twee want ze heeft haar enkel verzwikt/gekneust, ze kan er niks mee. Trouwens, ik vond het goed gedaan dat ze niet magisch opeens beter was, maar dat je langzaam zag dat ze meer met haar voet kon doen. Heel blij ermee, want ik heb wel eens anders gezien in boeken.
Ik moet zeggen dat het op punten erg interessant was, maar ook op punten dat ik verlangend naar mijn andere boek zat te kijken. Er waren wat dingen die ik apart vond. Zoals dat x en y simpel de boot vonden. En dan waren er dingen die ik jammer vond. Zoals het einde dat kwam best, voor mij in ieder geval, abrupt, en dan is het ook nog eens erg open. Ik had liever iets anders gezien, maar ach ik gok dat ik al blij moet zijn met dat dat in ieder geval zo ging.
De tekeningen waren best mooi gedaan, mooie stijl.
Oh, en even een waarschuwing, op een punt wordt Jeanne door een Frans/Duitse soldaat in het schip getrokken en haar top/blouse wordt weggerukt, er is dreiging van verkrachting. Ze heeft de keuze, schiet hem neer of wordt verkracht. Ik vond de reacties van de mensen om haar heen ook erg stom naderhand. Wat had ze dan moeten doen? Ik snap het enerzijds wel hoor, maar anderzijds... nee.
Al met al, ik ben nog steeds blij dat ik de kans had om deze graphic novel te lezen. Zoals ik al zei, op punten interessant om te lezen. Jeanne was, al ze niet steeds een grote mond had, een leuk en moedig karakter. En de achtergronden van het boek waren prachtig.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
February 8, 2024
Gibrat constrói um museu dentro das páginas de O Voo do Corvo. É um primor. Fiquei encantada com cada quadro desenhado e colorido nessa hq, é uma perfeição.
Quanto a história, é um roteiro singelo que conseguiu me instigar, torci pelos personagens e fiquei presa na narrativa.
Espero ter outras oportunidades de ler o trabalho de Jean-Pierre Gibrat.
A edição da Pipoca e Naquim tá um absurdo de linda!
Quanto a história, é um roteiro singelo que conseguiu me instigar, torci pelos personagens e fiquei presa na narrativa.
Espero ter outras oportunidades de ler o trabalho de Jean-Pierre Gibrat.
A edição da Pipoca e Naquim tá um absurdo de linda!
August 26, 2025
Ambientato nella Parigi occupata durante la Seconda guerra mondiale, il graphic novel intreccia avventura, sentimenti e memoria storica. I disegni raffinati di Gibrat danno vita a una città sospesa tra bellezza e paura, mentre i personaggi si muovono tra scelte morali e desiderio di libertà. Un racconto intenso che unisce eleganza visiva e profondità narrativa.
July 2, 2018
Find this and other reviews at: http://historicalfictionreader.blogsp...
I’ve been following historical fiction for the better part of ten years and I can honestly say I’ve never seen a graphic novel in the spotlight of literary circles. Why these storytellers are less revered than their traditional counterparts is anyone's guess, but if Jean-Pierre Gibrat’s Flight of the Raven is anything to go by, I think it well past time the powers that be put their preconception and prejudice to rest.
Unlike so many of his peers (by which I mean a significant number of traditional novelists) Gibrat understands that the war impacted different people in different ways. He illustrates this by writing characters who, even when they share the same opinions and experiences, react individually and I enjoyed the depth that afforded the narrative. The war is there, but the story centers on the survival of those living in its shadow and the risks they take to make it through.
Gibrat's artwork is also beautifully rendered in panels that capture both the urban and rural beauty of the story’s setting. The vibrant imagery is genuinely charming and leaves the reader with a clear understanding of the what the Resistance itself is fighting to protect.
Flight of the Raven is a short, but intriguing page-turner. A must-read for fans of historical fiction and art lovers alike.
I’ve been following historical fiction for the better part of ten years and I can honestly say I’ve never seen a graphic novel in the spotlight of literary circles. Why these storytellers are less revered than their traditional counterparts is anyone's guess, but if Jean-Pierre Gibrat’s Flight of the Raven is anything to go by, I think it well past time the powers that be put their preconception and prejudice to rest.
Unlike so many of his peers (by which I mean a significant number of traditional novelists) Gibrat understands that the war impacted different people in different ways. He illustrates this by writing characters who, even when they share the same opinions and experiences, react individually and I enjoyed the depth that afforded the narrative. The war is there, but the story centers on the survival of those living in its shadow and the risks they take to make it through.
Gibrat's artwork is also beautifully rendered in panels that capture both the urban and rural beauty of the story’s setting. The vibrant imagery is genuinely charming and leaves the reader with a clear understanding of the what the Resistance itself is fighting to protect.
Flight of the Raven is a short, but intriguing page-turner. A must-read for fans of historical fiction and art lovers alike.
February 5, 2020
"Özgürlüğün olmadığı bir dünyayla başa çıkmanın tek yolu, kendi varoluşunu bir başkaldırı haline getirecek kadar özgür davranmaktır." - Albert Camus
Gibrat'nın Türkçe'ye henüz çevrilen grafik romanı, İkinci Dünya Savaşı sırasında özgürlük umudu için herşeyi göze alan bir kadının, Jeanne'in hikayesini anlatıyor. Ve bunu, Jeanne'in güzelliği ve umutsuzluğa karşı duruşuyla paralel bir şekilde işlediği dönemin Paris'ini arka plana koyarak yapıyor. Umudun yalnızca "romantik bir hayal" değil, yaşamak için gereken bir ihtiyaç olduğunu söylüyor sonuna dek.
Paris'e, kadın fiziğine ve genel anlamda estetik ruha hayranlığını her karede gösteren Gibrat, karanlık zamanlarda umudu korumak temasını etkileyici biçimde işleyen hikaye örgüsüyle de okuyanı kendine hayran bırakıyor.
Gibrat'nın Türkçe'ye henüz çevrilen grafik romanı, İkinci Dünya Savaşı sırasında özgürlük umudu için herşeyi göze alan bir kadının, Jeanne'in hikayesini anlatıyor. Ve bunu, Jeanne'in güzelliği ve umutsuzluğa karşı duruşuyla paralel bir şekilde işlediği dönemin Paris'ini arka plana koyarak yapıyor. Umudun yalnızca "romantik bir hayal" değil, yaşamak için gereken bir ihtiyaç olduğunu söylüyor sonuna dek.
Paris'e, kadın fiziğine ve genel anlamda estetik ruha hayranlığını her karede gösteren Gibrat, karanlık zamanlarda umudu korumak temasını etkileyici biçimde işleyen hikaye örgüsüyle de okuyanı kendine hayran bırakıyor.
September 29, 2018
"The Resistance...but sexy!" is the high concept of this acclaimed French graphic novel. It tells the tale of a beautiful Communist resister who falls in with a roguish amoral thief as they try to stay ahead of the Gestapo in occupied Paris. The story is a cliche-ridden mechanism to get the heroine into one damsel-in-distress fetish scenario after another. The vaunted and award-winning art is certainly pretty, especially the amazingly evocative autumnal watercolors, but the figure work is stiff and inexpressive, as if drawn from models or photo reference with too literal an eye or timid a hand. I'm not a puritan or prude trying to spoil anyone's pleasure, but the packaging led me to expect something more substantial.
June 27, 2016
Potkazivač je svojevrsni nastavak Odgode, te s njom dijeli i pozitivne i negativne strane. Još jednom je riječ o djelu kojim dominira crtež, dok je priča, ovdje doduše ipak nešto dinamičnija, tek solidna. Naglasak je opet na ljubavnoj priči s ratnom pozadinom, skrivanjima i bijegu, no ovaj put nešto drugačijeg kraja. Zahvaljujući smještanju radnje u Pariz, Gibratov crtež je možda čak i dojmljiviji nego u prethodnom dijelu i još jednom čini najvrijedniji dio inače prosječnog stripa.
January 13, 2018
Interesting ground-level view of the French Resistance and the occupation of France, with a female character as the focus. Nicely detailed art.
November 10, 2019
Çizimleri için 5 puanı kesinlikle hak etti. Konu olarak da ben sevdim hatta beni kısa bir eser olmasına rağmen şaşırtmayı bile başardı. Sonunu da ayrı sevdim ama ucu açık seyleri pek sevmediğim için puanım 5, ancak favorilerimden değil 🙈🙃
August 23, 2018
This is shockingly bad. A huge dissapointment.
On one hand I can understand the Angouleme Award for best art - the book is gorgeous. You open it and you go "wow". On the other hand if you take your time with the art you will soon notice that it is shallow. Everything is beautiful, yes, but that is exactly the problem - it is nothing more. It is a beauty without deepness, substance and style, a kind of postcard aesthetics. The heroine looks like she was drawn by Greg Land, she is always like a supermodel in a photoshoot (basically: the way she looks on the cover is the way she always looks, regardless of the current situation she is in). There is a panel where she is lying in bed writing a letter to her sister about how she reached her "lowest point" - she feels terrible yet she looks like a model who is being photographed for a cheesy romance book cover where her character is answering her fiancé's love letter.
But ultimately it is the story where everything goes terribly wrong. Barely anything happens in the book and I am not just talking about action. This is supposed to be a tense wartime drama with romantic undertones but there is no real conflict in the heart of it. The heroine is hiding from the germans the whole book, doesn't do anything and doesn't achieve anything. There is a revelation near the end about who ratted her out to the authorities but it is without any real consequences and emotional impact - you can also see it coming from miles away.
So yeah, it looks kind of nice but storytelling-wise it is a waste of time, a total bore.
On one hand I can understand the Angouleme Award for best art - the book is gorgeous. You open it and you go "wow". On the other hand if you take your time with the art you will soon notice that it is shallow. Everything is beautiful, yes, but that is exactly the problem - it is nothing more. It is a beauty without deepness, substance and style, a kind of postcard aesthetics. The heroine looks like she was drawn by Greg Land, she is always like a supermodel in a photoshoot (basically: the way she looks on the cover is the way she always looks, regardless of the current situation she is in). There is a panel where she is lying in bed writing a letter to her sister about how she reached her "lowest point" - she feels terrible yet she looks like a model who is being photographed for a cheesy romance book cover where her character is answering her fiancé's love letter.
But ultimately it is the story where everything goes terribly wrong. Barely anything happens in the book and I am not just talking about action. This is supposed to be a tense wartime drama with romantic undertones but there is no real conflict in the heart of it. The heroine is hiding from the germans the whole book, doesn't do anything and doesn't achieve anything. There is a revelation near the end about who ratted her out to the authorities but it is without any real consequences and emotional impact - you can also see it coming from miles away.
So yeah, it looks kind of nice but storytelling-wise it is a waste of time, a total bore.
May 31, 2023
A arte de Gibrat é simplesmente sensacional, o roteiro é bom, mas "Destino Adiado" é melhor do que essa sequencia nesse aspecto, ao menos ao meu ver. A história "pedia" um senso de perigo e urgência que eu não senti lendo a HQ, e por a narrativa não imprimir essa sensação de perigo constante e urgência acaba parecendo "simples" demais.
July 26, 2019
The characters are clichéd and the plot is pedestrian. The artwork, however, is stunning and more than enough to make me glad to have read it, I just wish Jean-Pierre Gibrat had done more with it.
The story is set in the last days of the Germany occupation of France and centers around a highly moral, communist resistance fighter who is forced by circumstances to team up with an amoral thief. The drawing is all French stylish, dripping in the period, beautifully colored, like a cross between a movie and a dream. Various events/adventures occur on everything from roofs to boats, there is a small twist, and a not fully complete ending.
The story is set in the last days of the Germany occupation of France and centers around a highly moral, communist resistance fighter who is forced by circumstances to team up with an amoral thief. The drawing is all French stylish, dripping in the period, beautifully colored, like a cross between a movie and a dream. Various events/adventures occur on everything from roofs to boats, there is a small twist, and a not fully complete ending.
July 7, 2017
I was first attracted to the absolutely stunning watercolour drawings in this story, but after a while I found myself engrossed in Jeanne's journey and her contacts in the German-occupied Paris. The characterisations of each person are fantastically 'real'; the light bouncing through trees and off walls is gorgeous. The addition of sketches and pin-up pages are a great addition. IDW need our praise for issuing another French translated graphic masterpiece.
January 7, 2018
Liked this. I could not get over a mild irritation with Jeanne and her barely messy curly hair and her unshakeable artfully mussed appearance overall. (Even in the midst of an attempted sexual assault she never looks worse than charmingly debauched).
But, it's entertaining. The characters and story are fairly compelling and the drawings are gorgeous. Paris and the river feel like a new friend after this.
But, it's entertaining. The characters and story are fairly compelling and the drawings are gorgeous. Paris and the river feel like a new friend after this.
September 24, 2017
Absolutely stunning artwork--every panel a masterpiece. Read it in good lighting for full appreciation. The story is also top-notch with witty dialogue and a nicely convoluted plot. I could easily picture this as a vintage movie with Bogart and Bacall or a lovely anime film in the hands of Hayao Miyazaki.
November 21, 2017
İyi bir hikaye üzerine, muhteşem paneller...
II. Dünya savaşında, Alman işgali altındaki Paris’te geçen bir hikaye... İnsanlara bakışındaki incelik hikayeyi farklılaştırıcı, benzer öykülerden ayırıcı olurken, grafik sanatındaki güzellik, farklı bakış açılarından sunulan paneller okuru büyülüyor...
II. Dünya savaşında, Alman işgali altındaki Paris’te geçen bir hikaye... İnsanlara bakışındaki incelik hikayeyi farklılaştırıcı, benzer öykülerden ayırıcı olurken, grafik sanatındaki güzellik, farklı bakış açılarından sunulan paneller okuru büyülüyor...
November 22, 2021
Gibrat'ın çizimleri muhteşem. Öykü, çizimlerin biraz gölgesinde kalıyor. Seksapeli yüksek direnişçi hanım kızımız, görünürde günü kurtarmak dışında bir ideali olmayan sevimli hırsız François'in yardımına muhtaç kalıyor.
Klişe mi, evet, fakat kimin umurunda? Tekrar ediyorum, çizimler muhteşem...
Klişe mi, evet, fakat kimin umurunda? Tekrar ediyorum, çizimler muhteşem...
October 29, 2018
Il faut lire ce livre deux fois: une première fois pour l'histoire, et une autre fois pour l'art, qui est excellent!
August 31, 2021
Gorgeous art, great story, though I'm afraid I may not have understood the end...
March 15, 2014
Introduction
Welcome to my, hopefully short, review of the graphical novel 'Elke raaf pikt' made by Jean-Pierre Gibrat, the title of which could be translated as: each raven picks, the latter word being used as meaning 'to steal' and at the same time as 'the picking of a bird'.
I write this in English incidentally even though this is a Dutch book translated from French. I am not sure if there is an English version out there, but if there is none, it ought to be made as it is a fine example of graphical storytelling.
Below will follow a review in three parts: the story, the graphics and a conclusion. The story part will have a spoiler as I have to say something about the end of the novel, however I will arrange that in a separate section that is at the end of the part discussing the story.
The story
The story and the characters are neatly done. There are not that many characters in this story and that is actually a pre as now there is time to give each their individuality. The people are also normal people, with their good sides and bad sides and without superpowers or gung ho shoot-em up mentalities. And nobody is dressing in oddly colored tights to fly through the air and beat up the Jerries.
There is even very little violence in this comic and if there is any it is done realistically.
The story tells about Jeanne who gets arrested by the French police. It is 1944 and the allies have just landed in France, but Paris is still occupied and Jeanne is a fix because she belongs to the communist resistance. There is a danger this will be discovered and she will be handed over to the Germans. In the police prison she meet Francois, a small time thief, trickster and crook who helps her escape and arranges a hideout for the two of them.
The hideout is actually a boat called Himalaya which is owned by a family of three. The boat is at the center of the story for most of the time.
The bulk of the story revolves around two issues: Jeanne's search for her sister, who has disappeared and the question who has betrayed her to the police.
In the mean time, Jeanne and Francois develop an attraction for each other.
Gibrat is good at mixing various elements in make an engaging story and he does it quite right, never overdoing it, or having people do unbelievable things.
But there are a few problems with the story(spoiler alerts).
At some point the boat on which Jeanne hides is ordered by the Germans to transport things for them. A soldier is put on board to oversee the activities. This soldier is from Strassbourg, a part of France that was added to Germany. He speaks French therefore even though he is a German. He also has been in Stalingrad and plagues by nightmares, he is also on a boat with the pretty Jeanne. The story seems poised for an very interesting development, with this soldier maybe having conflicting emotions serving the Germans and finding himself on the losing side, but basically nothing comes of it. And that is a pity.
Also, at various moments in the story, Gibrat decides to keep the story going by using ‘convenient moments’. For instance at some point the police commissioner who has had Jeanne arrested at the start of the story pops up later in the story to move it forward by helping Jeanne to get into prison so she can meet Francois there, who has been captured by the Germans. It is very strange behavior for a man who previously was depicted as being a coward and opportunist and I find it hard to believe such a person would suddenly decide to help Jeanne. He might have had a volte-face because he needed to switch sides due to the German retreat, but this change of heart fits ill with him also becoming brave enough to help Jeanne while the Germans are still in control.
Another very convenient moment is that at one time allied fighters strafe the boat without killing anyone, but they manage to hit the dead body a German soldier that has been killed by Jeanne previously. So now they can claim he died because of the allied attack, thus having a believable story to give to the Germans about the death of that soldier.
Yet a third strange moment is that Jeanne's sister suddenly appears out of the blue somewhat into the story. As if Gibrat was getting bored with the search or just wanted it to finish so has Jeanne's sister appear at the boat.
Another strange thing is that Jeanne at some point in the story loses a shoe and she walks about with just one shoe for a very long time, even though it would be logical for her to have her shoe replaced.
A last criticism I have is the end of the story. The last page should have been left out. The page before ends with Jeanne alone in snowy cold Paris anxious about the fate of Francois, who has been deported to a camp. Then the last page explains that he managed to escape the camp and is probably Switzerland. It is almost as if this last page was pasted on to the story to make a move happy ending. For the page before it could be that Francois was dead, while the last page makes it unlikely. It is as someone said to Gibrat: look this ending with Jeanne in wintry Paris is not very positive, so let's add another page to give it a more happy ending.
Graphics
The comic is neatly drawn and Gibrat really likes his main character Jeanne who is in the picture most of the time. She is pretty, but he gives her a crooked smile which gives her a kind of unique personality. Gibrat does not shy away from offering detailed pictures of Paris and bars and such. It must have been a lot of work to make some of these drawings.
However Gibrat seems is also somewhat conventional. He keeps the camera mostly level and does not experiment much with unusual angles. He keeps everything in focus. Nor does he go beyond the constraints of the picture. You will not see him for instance use several pictures next to each other to depict one scene. Or have a picture in picture effect. It is neatly arrange, conventional and not very experimental or imaginative.
Another thing is that he seems to stick to a certain of man that comes back all the time, Francois, the german soldier, michel and most men seem more of less have the same overall shape. It is as if he defaults to this shape if he does not need to draw a more typical shape.
There are more typical things like this. Like most german soldiers wear the same kind of outfit. Only in the last page the germans have long coats. It is as if he has drawn a kind of template that he uses most of the time, but only diverts from it when that is needed.
However all of these are just minor points in my opinion.
Conclusion
I really liked this graphic novel. It has believable likeable characters. The occurrences are believable even though there are a lot that are too convenient at times. It is a story that I belief could have happened and very well depicted.
However I hesitate to give it a five stars. This is mostly because I find there are too many convenient moments in the story. In addition Gibrat is just a tad too conventional in his drawings. In all I decided to give it a 4.5 out of 5, which is a 4, round down
This review will also appear on my blog and website where I will add some images from the novel to illustrate some points.
www.meritcoba.com
Welcome to my, hopefully short, review of the graphical novel 'Elke raaf pikt' made by Jean-Pierre Gibrat, the title of which could be translated as: each raven picks, the latter word being used as meaning 'to steal' and at the same time as 'the picking of a bird'.
I write this in English incidentally even though this is a Dutch book translated from French. I am not sure if there is an English version out there, but if there is none, it ought to be made as it is a fine example of graphical storytelling.
Below will follow a review in three parts: the story, the graphics and a conclusion. The story part will have a spoiler as I have to say something about the end of the novel, however I will arrange that in a separate section that is at the end of the part discussing the story.
The story
The story and the characters are neatly done. There are not that many characters in this story and that is actually a pre as now there is time to give each their individuality. The people are also normal people, with their good sides and bad sides and without superpowers or gung ho shoot-em up mentalities. And nobody is dressing in oddly colored tights to fly through the air and beat up the Jerries.
There is even very little violence in this comic and if there is any it is done realistically.
The story tells about Jeanne who gets arrested by the French police. It is 1944 and the allies have just landed in France, but Paris is still occupied and Jeanne is a fix because she belongs to the communist resistance. There is a danger this will be discovered and she will be handed over to the Germans. In the police prison she meet Francois, a small time thief, trickster and crook who helps her escape and arranges a hideout for the two of them.
The hideout is actually a boat called Himalaya which is owned by a family of three. The boat is at the center of the story for most of the time.
The bulk of the story revolves around two issues: Jeanne's search for her sister, who has disappeared and the question who has betrayed her to the police.
In the mean time, Jeanne and Francois develop an attraction for each other.
Gibrat is good at mixing various elements in make an engaging story and he does it quite right, never overdoing it, or having people do unbelievable things.
But there are a few problems with the story(spoiler alerts).
At some point the boat on which Jeanne hides is ordered by the Germans to transport things for them. A soldier is put on board to oversee the activities. This soldier is from Strassbourg, a part of France that was added to Germany. He speaks French therefore even though he is a German. He also has been in Stalingrad and plagues by nightmares, he is also on a boat with the pretty Jeanne. The story seems poised for an very interesting development, with this soldier maybe having conflicting emotions serving the Germans and finding himself on the losing side, but basically nothing comes of it. And that is a pity.
Also, at various moments in the story, Gibrat decides to keep the story going by using ‘convenient moments’. For instance at some point the police commissioner who has had Jeanne arrested at the start of the story pops up later in the story to move it forward by helping Jeanne to get into prison so she can meet Francois there, who has been captured by the Germans. It is very strange behavior for a man who previously was depicted as being a coward and opportunist and I find it hard to believe such a person would suddenly decide to help Jeanne. He might have had a volte-face because he needed to switch sides due to the German retreat, but this change of heart fits ill with him also becoming brave enough to help Jeanne while the Germans are still in control.
Another very convenient moment is that at one time allied fighters strafe the boat without killing anyone, but they manage to hit the dead body a German soldier that has been killed by Jeanne previously. So now they can claim he died because of the allied attack, thus having a believable story to give to the Germans about the death of that soldier.
Yet a third strange moment is that Jeanne's sister suddenly appears out of the blue somewhat into the story. As if Gibrat was getting bored with the search or just wanted it to finish so has Jeanne's sister appear at the boat.
Another strange thing is that Jeanne at some point in the story loses a shoe and she walks about with just one shoe for a very long time, even though it would be logical for her to have her shoe replaced.
A last criticism I have is the end of the story. The last page should have been left out. The page before ends with Jeanne alone in snowy cold Paris anxious about the fate of Francois, who has been deported to a camp. Then the last page explains that he managed to escape the camp and is probably Switzerland. It is almost as if this last page was pasted on to the story to make a move happy ending. For the page before it could be that Francois was dead, while the last page makes it unlikely. It is as someone said to Gibrat: look this ending with Jeanne in wintry Paris is not very positive, so let's add another page to give it a more happy ending.
Graphics
The comic is neatly drawn and Gibrat really likes his main character Jeanne who is in the picture most of the time. She is pretty, but he gives her a crooked smile which gives her a kind of unique personality. Gibrat does not shy away from offering detailed pictures of Paris and bars and such. It must have been a lot of work to make some of these drawings.
However Gibrat seems is also somewhat conventional. He keeps the camera mostly level and does not experiment much with unusual angles. He keeps everything in focus. Nor does he go beyond the constraints of the picture. You will not see him for instance use several pictures next to each other to depict one scene. Or have a picture in picture effect. It is neatly arrange, conventional and not very experimental or imaginative.
Another thing is that he seems to stick to a certain of man that comes back all the time, Francois, the german soldier, michel and most men seem more of less have the same overall shape. It is as if he defaults to this shape if he does not need to draw a more typical shape.
There are more typical things like this. Like most german soldiers wear the same kind of outfit. Only in the last page the germans have long coats. It is as if he has drawn a kind of template that he uses most of the time, but only diverts from it when that is needed.
However all of these are just minor points in my opinion.
Conclusion
I really liked this graphic novel. It has believable likeable characters. The occurrences are believable even though there are a lot that are too convenient at times. It is a story that I belief could have happened and very well depicted.
However I hesitate to give it a five stars. This is mostly because I find there are too many convenient moments in the story. In addition Gibrat is just a tad too conventional in his drawings. In all I decided to give it a 4.5 out of 5, which is a 4, round down
This review will also appear on my blog and website where I will add some images from the novel to illustrate some points.
www.meritcoba.com
June 14, 2023
Jean-Pierre Gibrat okumaya ilk kez bu kitapla başladım. Flaneur'den Türker'in defalarca tavsiyesine rağmen neden bilmem inatla uzak kalıyordum. Bu kadar "fransız" çizgi romanlara adapte olmakta epeyce zorlanıyorum. Nitekim bu kitapta da aynı şeyi yaşadım.
Kitabın neredeyse ilk yarısı okuma konusunda epeyce zorluk çıkarıyor. Amiyane tabiriyle -tam olarak ne olduğu söyleyemesem de- bi şeyler akmıyor. Bunu fazlasıyla "fransız" bulduğum benzer tüm kitaplarda yaşıyorum. Mesela frankafon tarzı bana fazlasıyla hissettirse bile "kendileri biraz sakin olacak mı?" soru kalıbı bana çok yapay ve havada geliyor. Ama yapacak bir şey yok. Bu tarz, ekol, tavır artık her ne ise böyle.
İlk yarıda hikayenin akmama durumunu Gibrat çizimleri fazlasıyla telafi ediyor. Bilhassa çatıda gezdikleri süreçte hikayeye bir es verip uzun uzun çizimlerin tadını çıkardım. Muhtemelen bu kitapla ergenliğimde tanışmış olsam, Jeanne karakterine aşık olabilirdim. (Yalan yok şu yaşımda bile Jeanne karakteri için bir referans kullanılmış mı diye araştırma yaptım.) Kitabın 3.çeyreğinde aksiyon ve ilerleyiş hızı artıyor ve olaylar netleşmeye, sürükleyici olmaya başlıyor. ve makul bir finalle sonlanıyor.
Çizgi romanı okurken en çok zorlandığım nokta Jean-Pierre Gibrat'ın anlar ve günler arasında geçiş yaptığı anlatılarda, paneller arasında hiç es vermemesi oldu. "Arada bi boşluk bırakaydın be adam, bi not vereydin." deyip durdum.
Kitabın hikayeden bağımsız olarak en sevdiğim noktası ise Jean-Pierre Gibrat'ın bir sosyalist olarak (ya da en iyi ihtimalle özgürlükçü bir insan olarak) komünistler hakkında yaptığı çok isabetli tespitleri oldu. Francois, kesinlikle çoğu yerde Gibrat'ın iç sesini yansıtıyor.
Toplayacak olursam, her ne kadar 4 yıldız vermiş olsam da hikayenin bu çizimler olmadan okunurluğu-ilgi çekebilirliğini sorguluyorum. Fakat bu kitap bir bütün ve bütün olarak değerlendirilmeli. Sadece Jeanne'a filizlenmeye başlayan platonik aşkım için bile ara ara kitaplığımı ziyaret edeceğim bir kitap.
Kitabın neredeyse ilk yarısı okuma konusunda epeyce zorluk çıkarıyor. Amiyane tabiriyle -tam olarak ne olduğu söyleyemesem de- bi şeyler akmıyor. Bunu fazlasıyla "fransız" bulduğum benzer tüm kitaplarda yaşıyorum. Mesela frankafon tarzı bana fazlasıyla hissettirse bile "kendileri biraz sakin olacak mı?" soru kalıbı bana çok yapay ve havada geliyor. Ama yapacak bir şey yok. Bu tarz, ekol, tavır artık her ne ise böyle.
İlk yarıda hikayenin akmama durumunu Gibrat çizimleri fazlasıyla telafi ediyor. Bilhassa çatıda gezdikleri süreçte hikayeye bir es verip uzun uzun çizimlerin tadını çıkardım. Muhtemelen bu kitapla ergenliğimde tanışmış olsam, Jeanne karakterine aşık olabilirdim. (Yalan yok şu yaşımda bile Jeanne karakteri için bir referans kullanılmış mı diye araştırma yaptım.) Kitabın 3.çeyreğinde aksiyon ve ilerleyiş hızı artıyor ve olaylar netleşmeye, sürükleyici olmaya başlıyor. ve makul bir finalle sonlanıyor.
Çizgi romanı okurken en çok zorlandığım nokta Jean-Pierre Gibrat'ın anlar ve günler arasında geçiş yaptığı anlatılarda, paneller arasında hiç es vermemesi oldu. "Arada bi boşluk bırakaydın be adam, bi not vereydin." deyip durdum.
Kitabın hikayeden bağımsız olarak en sevdiğim noktası ise Jean-Pierre Gibrat'ın bir sosyalist olarak (ya da en iyi ihtimalle özgürlükçü bir insan olarak) komünistler hakkında yaptığı çok isabetli tespitleri oldu. Francois, kesinlikle çoğu yerde Gibrat'ın iç sesini yansıtıyor.
Toplayacak olursam, her ne kadar 4 yıldız vermiş olsam da hikayenin bu çizimler olmadan okunurluğu-ilgi çekebilirliğini sorguluyorum. Fakat bu kitap bir bütün ve bütün olarak değerlendirilmeli. Sadece Jeanne'a filizlenmeye başlayan platonik aşkım için bile ara ara kitaplığımı ziyaret edeceğim bir kitap.
January 21, 2025
Segundo título que leio do Gibrat, e que cara magnífico.
O forte é a arte, que é sempre linda, representando tão bem os cenários que mesmo em um ambiente de Guerra, continuam lindos (sejam cidades ou campos). O traço cabe perfeitamente bem nos personagens também, conseguindo dar muita característica para eles, apesar de manter o realismos (o que costuma ser mais difícil).
Sobre o enredo, não é nada revolucionário "vou pensar sobre isso por anos", mas é bem competente. Me lembram aqueles bons filmes que você acha por aí, que tem uma história bem interessante e bem contada, você assiste, ama e fala bem, mas acaba esquecendo depois.
Igual o outro título que li, é um drama de guerra, um drama intimista, não vemos grandes atos heróicos ou grandes batalhas, vemos as pessoas comuns de uma França ocupada sentindo as dores que isso causam, e de alguma forma continuando com suas vidas. Uma coisa interessante, é que os dois volumes se passam no mesmo "universo", sem ligação direta, mas com uma personagem em comum. Não da nada de extra para essa história, mas é uma continuação da anterior. E você fica com aquela sensação de "então é isso que aconteceu com ela...?"
Esse ao contrário do Destino Adiado, termina de forma mais otimista, tanto no geral (a guerra tá acabando) como para os protagonistas. Me pergunto se haverá um terceiro para ver o que aconteceu com esses também.
Gibrat virou 'must read' pra mi, a Nemo tá publicando uma série maior dele, que chama 'Mattéo', e que parece que pega um período maior de história (também das grandes guerras). Já tá no radar, primeira promoção boa devo pegar.
4.2 estrelas de 5.
O forte é a arte, que é sempre linda, representando tão bem os cenários que mesmo em um ambiente de Guerra, continuam lindos (sejam cidades ou campos). O traço cabe perfeitamente bem nos personagens também, conseguindo dar muita característica para eles, apesar de manter o realismos (o que costuma ser mais difícil).
Sobre o enredo, não é nada revolucionário "vou pensar sobre isso por anos", mas é bem competente. Me lembram aqueles bons filmes que você acha por aí, que tem uma história bem interessante e bem contada, você assiste, ama e fala bem, mas acaba esquecendo depois.
Igual o outro título que li, é um drama de guerra, um drama intimista, não vemos grandes atos heróicos ou grandes batalhas, vemos as pessoas comuns de uma França ocupada sentindo as dores que isso causam, e de alguma forma continuando com suas vidas. Uma coisa interessante, é que os dois volumes se passam no mesmo "universo", sem ligação direta, mas com uma personagem em comum. Não da nada de extra para essa história, mas é uma continuação da anterior. E você fica com aquela sensação de "então é isso que aconteceu com ela...?"
Esse ao contrário do Destino Adiado, termina de forma mais otimista, tanto no geral (a guerra tá acabando) como para os protagonistas. Me pergunto se haverá um terceiro para ver o que aconteceu com esses também.
Gibrat virou 'must read' pra mi, a Nemo tá publicando uma série maior dele, que chama 'Mattéo', e que parece que pega um período maior de história (também das grandes guerras). Já tá no radar, primeira promoção boa devo pegar.
4.2 estrelas de 5.
November 2, 2023
É impossível não começar a comentar sobre este gibi sem dizer o quão belamente ilustrado ele é, fantástico, colorido, detalhado até dizer chega, uma pena que é o máximo que se pode falar sobre ele.
Tudo bem, posso ter exagerado, mas é muito triste ver que o sucessor do excelente Destino Adiado ser apenas isso, a trama, apesar de se passar no mesmo ambiente de seu sucessor não consegue trazer as mesmas nuances e sutilezas ali apresentadas.
Se em destino é muito divertido participar do "voyerismo" do protagonista, aqui, é completamente entediante passear com a protagonista, o que é, certamente, intrigante visto que em Destino Adiado nós, junto com o protagonista, ficamos presos aquele casebre apenas observando o mundo de fora e mesmo assim a dinâmica é muito melhor.
Dito isto, o que salva são os belos quadros criados por Gibrat, se há uma critica aos rostos por vezes iguais de seus personagens, o mesmo não pode ser dito de suas paisagens, seja de manhã ou a noite cada pedaço desenhado aqui transpira beleza, um verdadeiro orgasmo visual.
E é isso, não há mais nada, belo e vazio, ah, gostaria de comentar ainda uma escolha no mínimo duvidosa na edição, não é um problema da editora nacional, mas algo que já vem de lá, nos créditos antes das pinups tem uma pequena galeria dando enfoque em alguns momentos para mostrar a beleza do traço do autor, até aqui, tudo bem, o problema é que a cena escolhida foi completamente infeliz, talvez, o momento mais atroz da historia ser posto aqui é de péssimo tom.
Tudo bem, posso ter exagerado, mas é muito triste ver que o sucessor do excelente Destino Adiado ser apenas isso, a trama, apesar de se passar no mesmo ambiente de seu sucessor não consegue trazer as mesmas nuances e sutilezas ali apresentadas.
Se em destino é muito divertido participar do "voyerismo" do protagonista, aqui, é completamente entediante passear com a protagonista, o que é, certamente, intrigante visto que em Destino Adiado nós, junto com o protagonista, ficamos presos aquele casebre apenas observando o mundo de fora e mesmo assim a dinâmica é muito melhor.
Dito isto, o que salva são os belos quadros criados por Gibrat, se há uma critica aos rostos por vezes iguais de seus personagens, o mesmo não pode ser dito de suas paisagens, seja de manhã ou a noite cada pedaço desenhado aqui transpira beleza, um verdadeiro orgasmo visual.
E é isso, não há mais nada, belo e vazio, ah, gostaria de comentar ainda uma escolha no mínimo duvidosa na edição, não é um problema da editora nacional, mas algo que já vem de lá, nos créditos antes das pinups tem uma pequena galeria dando enfoque em alguns momentos para mostrar a beleza do traço do autor, até aqui, tudo bem, o problema é que a cena escolhida foi completamente infeliz, talvez, o momento mais atroz da historia ser posto aqui é de péssimo tom.
October 27, 2017
This was a beautiful book and a beautiful story about the plight of Parisians during the height of World War II. Jean-Pierre Gibrat weaves a fascinating tale about Jeanne, a Communist trying to avoid the Krauts occupying the city, and Francois, a thief who helps her escape capture from the local police and then assists Jeanne in finding her sister.
My only criticisms of this book were that Jeanne plays the part of the "damsel in distress" a little too well. After twisting her ankle while escaping the police and traversing the rooftops of Paris, she has to figuratively and literally lean on Francois every step of the way. The gender equality was a little lacking here.
My other criticism was that although I fully support adult situations in comics and graphic works aimed at adults, I could feel the creator building up the ultimate scene when the two convicts would finally break down and give in to their animal instincts. We all know it's going to happen. Gibrat progressively shows more and more of the beautiful Parisian woman until we finally get to see her in all of her nude glory near the end. Kind of a juvenile build-up and a cheap way to entice further reading, if you ask me.
Other than the small complaints, the book is great. Check it out!
My only criticisms of this book were that Jeanne plays the part of the "damsel in distress" a little too well. After twisting her ankle while escaping the police and traversing the rooftops of Paris, she has to figuratively and literally lean on Francois every step of the way. The gender equality was a little lacking here.
My other criticism was that although I fully support adult situations in comics and graphic works aimed at adults, I could feel the creator building up the ultimate scene when the two convicts would finally break down and give in to their animal instincts. We all know it's going to happen. Gibrat progressively shows more and more of the beautiful Parisian woman until we finally get to see her in all of her nude glory near the end. Kind of a juvenile build-up and a cheap way to entice further reading, if you ask me.
Other than the small complaints, the book is great. Check it out!
October 10, 2022
Parigi occupata, 18 giugno 1944. Denunciata da una lettera anonima, Jeanne, giovane combattente della resistenza, è stata appena arrestata dalla polizia francese. Lo stesso giorno, François, ladro senza scrupoli e un po’ cinico, subisce la stessa sorte e si ritrova nella stessa cella della stessa stazione di polizia. Grazie a un avviso, Jeanne e François scappano dai tetti. Da quel momento in poi, per il gioco del caso e della necessità, il destino comune dei due giovani, che tutto separa, sembra segnato. Nel bene e nel male.
Wow.
L’unico pensiero che mi viene in mente dopo aver letto questa graphic novel. Ogni tavola di questa opera è a dir poco spettacolare, una piccola opera d’arte.
Una storia d’amore, tra due persone diverse in tutto, durante l’occupazione tedesca e un finale dolce amaro che è un tocco di classe.
Un fumetto interessante che consiglio se si vuole avere una lettura diversa
⭐️⭐️⭐️,5
Wow.
L’unico pensiero che mi viene in mente dopo aver letto questa graphic novel. Ogni tavola di questa opera è a dir poco spettacolare, una piccola opera d’arte.
Una storia d’amore, tra due persone diverse in tutto, durante l’occupazione tedesca e un finale dolce amaro che è un tocco di classe.
Un fumetto interessante che consiglio se si vuole avere una lettura diversa
⭐️⭐️⭐️,5
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