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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
Un chef d’œuvre, de graphisme, d'écriture.
Un livre sur les regrets et la vie qui passe.
Un livre sur les regrets et la vie qui passe.
Ouf, cette bande-dessinée est enorme. Les dessins sont magnifiques et l'histoire est vraiment um roman graphique. J'admet que je l'ai trouvé un peu difícil a comprendre dans son ensemble, mais il n'importe pas.
I actually read the English language version of this book. I did so for two reasons:
1. I am exploring book genera with which I have no experience.
2. Someone recommended it. Unfortunately, I don't recall who as I would like to chat with them about the book.
Les équinoxes has an interesting story loop, although most of what is there escapes me. I guess I am not smart enough to read such things. At any rate, the part of the book I really liked is the graphic story of a boy as we learn to know him through the seasons. I get a glimpse into his life. We learn, among other things, he is self sufficient, can learn to entertain himself, and enjoys exploring the world around him and all its wonders.
The more "verbose" story line involves several people who are essentially unrelated, families who have typical generational confusion and friction and suffer from the impact of aging complete with weakening and regrets. It also explores the interaction between those with differing opinions on the value of preserving the past versus pushing to the future; the need to preserve jobs versus preserving ancient artifacts.
I don't really know why I gave this three stars. Probably, because I am willing to assume that this is a wonderful example of a graphic novel, as you can easily see in examples in the other reviews, and the difficulty in trying to deduce where the author is trying to take us.
In any case, the English title is Equinoxes and the ISBN is 978-1-68112-080-5. Goodreads might wish to add it to their database so that it can be found by searching on the English Title.
1. I am exploring book genera with which I have no experience.
2. Someone recommended it. Unfortunately, I don't recall who as I would like to chat with them about the book.
Les équinoxes has an interesting story loop, although most of what is there escapes me. I guess I am not smart enough to read such things. At any rate, the part of the book I really liked is the graphic story of a boy as we learn to know him through the seasons. I get a glimpse into his life. We learn, among other things, he is self sufficient, can learn to entertain himself, and enjoys exploring the world around him and all its wonders.
The more "verbose" story line involves several people who are essentially unrelated, families who have typical generational confusion and friction and suffer from the impact of aging complete with weakening and regrets. It also explores the interaction between those with differing opinions on the value of preserving the past versus pushing to the future; the need to preserve jobs versus preserving ancient artifacts.
I don't really know why I gave this three stars. Probably, because I am willing to assume that this is a wonderful example of a graphic novel, as you can easily see in examples in the other reviews, and the difficulty in trying to deduce where the author is trying to take us.
In any case, the English title is Equinoxes and the ISBN is 978-1-68112-080-5. Goodreads might wish to add it to their database so that it can be found by searching on the English Title.
"There was something precious to learn there...I still regret being blind and dead to beauty for so long. That territory seemed forbidden to me. I didn't have the keys to it" You almost need a kind of appreciative, curious and receptive attentiveness to unlock this book, but once unlocked it's full of beauty in all its knowingness and transience.
I felt drawn to start reading Comics and Manga a few years ago, wasn't sure why but I went with my reading desire as I often do. A few comics/manga have really left an impression on me as did this one. But this one also articulated and showed me one of the things I was seeking in reading graphic narratives: the beauty of art and narrative enhancing each other to where a single picture can express a whole life or a relationship: a time dependent narrative crystalized into a still dynamic panel full of pathos and meaning in context. It was breathtaking the few times it happened in this book.
An older character in the book says of his book collection: "I can't throw them away, these all have a false bottom with my life inside" Each book is a portrait of a time in his life: this one was given as a present by so and so, this one he read when he was early in love...
It seems to me Pedrosa is trying though his impressionistic drawings to make images with false bottoms with the character's lives peeking out in between the shading, the contours, and the colors. More impressive than this ambition is that he often succeeds.
I felt drawn to start reading Comics and Manga a few years ago, wasn't sure why but I went with my reading desire as I often do. A few comics/manga have really left an impression on me as did this one. But this one also articulated and showed me one of the things I was seeking in reading graphic narratives: the beauty of art and narrative enhancing each other to where a single picture can express a whole life or a relationship: a time dependent narrative crystalized into a still dynamic panel full of pathos and meaning in context. It was breathtaking the few times it happened in this book.
An older character in the book says of his book collection: "I can't throw them away, these all have a false bottom with my life inside" Each book is a portrait of a time in his life: this one was given as a present by so and so, this one he read when he was early in love...
It seems to me Pedrosa is trying though his impressionistic drawings to make images with false bottoms with the character's lives peeking out in between the shading, the contours, and the colors. More impressive than this ambition is that he often succeeds.
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
via NYPL - Undeniably a gorgeous book, Equinoxes weaves together several stories that each possess moments of amazing emotional and philosophical impact; however, I felt that the stories do not dovetail in any way to strongly support the themes of each other. The brief prose segments are somewhat a slog to read as well, although I can't be sure how much of that stems from the source and how much from the translation. But it's definitely a book I recommend experiencing for yourself and one I hope to revisit after some time has passed to see if the themes tie back to one another in ways that I may have overlooked.
I want to say I'm floored and overwhelmed by what I have just read, but honestly, the entire book kind of escaped me.
Got this off Netgalley, believing it to be some fantastic tale pegged on the affects of the equinox. In actuality, the title is a misnomer, as the Equinox doesn't affect the actions or situations of the characters. While the book is a startling representation of daily life, it is slow, meandering and verbose.
The verbosity is due to the book being a translation. Thoughts and emotions that could have been encapsulated in a word or phrase, wind themselves through the page. A number of pages are starkly absent of text, yet the others make up for the loss by adding more and then some.
I like that the story follows several average-Joes (though not Janes) as they survive each day. We have an ageing, dying old man, in love with a painting, but still getting over the loss of his son. Another man is coming to terms with his teenaged daughter, his predictable life and unpredictable brother. To top it all, the central plot device is a photographer capturing images of random people and attributing stories to them.
I think the concept is innovative, yet the execution is lacking. It is mentioned in the beginning of the book that each of the four seasons are represented in separate artistic forms. Yet, each one had so many art styles in them, that even had they deviated from each other with every different season, I couldn't spot it.
There are distinctive styles of art, but it's hard to make out what the purpose is. I think my lack of artistic knowledge is playing a part here, but the cartoon-ish scribbles didn't lend themselves well to a rather grave story. I prefer my comic art to be well-defined and fulsome - more Leonardo Da Vince than Degas. Here, you would admire the sketch-work of a landscape in one panel, and find yourself unable to decipher two characters from each other in the next.
It's also telling that the women - the few who show up - are all drawn with the same or similar shape. Yet, the male characters come in a variety of shapes and existential crises. Why does this keep happening?
I was looking forward to reading this book, and am disappointed that in the end it felt underwhelming. The general idea is good, yet it seems to, quite literally, get lost in translation.
Got this off Netgalley, believing it to be some fantastic tale pegged on the affects of the equinox. In actuality, the title is a misnomer, as the Equinox doesn't affect the actions or situations of the characters. While the book is a startling representation of daily life, it is slow, meandering and verbose.
The verbosity is due to the book being a translation. Thoughts and emotions that could have been encapsulated in a word or phrase, wind themselves through the page. A number of pages are starkly absent of text, yet the others make up for the loss by adding more and then some.
I like that the story follows several average-Joes (though not Janes) as they survive each day. We have an ageing, dying old man, in love with a painting, but still getting over the loss of his son. Another man is coming to terms with his teenaged daughter, his predictable life and unpredictable brother. To top it all, the central plot device is a photographer capturing images of random people and attributing stories to them.
I think the concept is innovative, yet the execution is lacking. It is mentioned in the beginning of the book that each of the four seasons are represented in separate artistic forms. Yet, each one had so many art styles in them, that even had they deviated from each other with every different season, I couldn't spot it.
There are distinctive styles of art, but it's hard to make out what the purpose is. I think my lack of artistic knowledge is playing a part here, but the cartoon-ish scribbles didn't lend themselves well to a rather grave story. I prefer my comic art to be well-defined and fulsome - more Leonardo Da Vince than Degas. Here, you would admire the sketch-work of a landscape in one panel, and find yourself unable to decipher two characters from each other in the next.
It's also telling that the women - the few who show up - are all drawn with the same or similar shape. Yet, the male characters come in a variety of shapes and existential crises. Why does this keep happening?
I was looking forward to reading this book, and am disappointed that in the end it felt underwhelming. The general idea is good, yet it seems to, quite literally, get lost in translation.
This is the best graphic novel I have read since Essex County. I really cannot say enough praise, but here is an attempt:
Describing Equinoxes is just as difficult as describing why any great piece of art is beautiful and or important to someone whom has never encountered it...
The art style is magnificent. Setting a dynamic mood with its range of vivid, sometimes moody schemes. I felt the urge to cut out some of the stark imagery for framing.
The characters are as real as some of the elder New Englanders I love and hate. And the story holds its scales somewhere between deep sentimentality and existential crisis.
Cyril Pedrosa will soon share my shelf-space with Jeff Lemire.
Describing Equinoxes is just as difficult as describing why any great piece of art is beautiful and or important to someone whom has never encountered it...
The art style is magnificent. Setting a dynamic mood with its range of vivid, sometimes moody schemes. I felt the urge to cut out some of the stark imagery for framing.
The characters are as real as some of the elder New Englanders I love and hate. And the story holds its scales somewhere between deep sentimentality and existential crisis.
Cyril Pedrosa will soon share my shelf-space with Jeff Lemire.
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes