Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A coming-of-age story of a girl who finds solace in piano after her father's death, she then travels to France from Brazil to start a lifetime love story with piano and music.
The art style wasn't my favorite but I liked the story.
The art style wasn't my favorite but I liked the story.
Forte follows a girl from a favela in Brazil. While her mother is working one day, she ends up falling in love with the piano. The rest of the book follows her journey towards success. I enjoyed the art and the story of her overcoming her obstacles. There were some bits that felt unneeded and the ended felt somewhat flat -- like I needed more from it.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
Flavia grew up in an impoverished neighborhood in Brazil. Her mother worked cleaning houses and one day brought Flavia along. Flavia become entranced with the piano at one house. The owner took her under his wing and taught her to play piano. Eventually she ends up earning a scholarship to a music school in Paris.
This graphic novel is realistic fiction about a young lady who is passionate about music and is striving to make her place in the world. She struggles financially but perseveres. I recommend this book for music lovers and fans of realistic fiction graphic novels.
I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This graphic novel is realistic fiction about a young lady who is passionate about music and is striving to make her place in the world. She struggles financially but perseveres. I recommend this book for music lovers and fans of realistic fiction graphic novels.
I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Yesterday I read this amazing Comic about Flavia Antunes, who grew up in a Favela. Her father dies because of some gang activity that is unfortunately very common where she lives.
Her mother is the only family she has left, so she goes with her to her new cleaning job at a nice old rich guy's house. She sees a piano there and plays on it. The old man is amazed and offers her lessons.
This is the beginning of a whole journey for Flavia, because she practises a lot and tries to get a scholarship for a prestigious music school in Paris.
This was amazing! The art style is nice.
It made me feel all the feels!
I got annoyed, happy, sad, everything.
I was really rooting for Flavia to get her scholarship and a nice degree so she can spend her life doing what she loves most.
The friendships that were portrayed in here were absolutely fantastic!
The min character had also some anger management issues I would say, they were totally understandable, but sometimes also a little bit annoying.
Definitely going to reread this!
Her mother is the only family she has left, so she goes with her to her new cleaning job at a nice old rich guy's house. She sees a piano there and plays on it. The old man is amazed and offers her lessons.
This is the beginning of a whole journey for Flavia, because she practises a lot and tries to get a scholarship for a prestigious music school in Paris.
This was amazing! The art style is nice.
It made me feel all the feels!
I got annoyed, happy, sad, everything.
I was really rooting for Flavia to get her scholarship and a nice degree so she can spend her life doing what she loves most.
The friendships that were portrayed in here were absolutely fantastic!
The min character had also some anger management issues I would say, they were totally understandable, but sometimes also a little bit annoying.
Definitely going to reread this!
Thank you to Europe Comics and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader's Copy!
Now available.
In Manon Heugel's inspiration coming of age comic, "Forte"we see a young girl begin to grow comfortable in her own skin. Young Flavia has not had an easy childhood. After watching her father get shot in her favaela, she and her mother have to make ends meet. With a little help from Mr. Lima, a retired pianist, Flavia discovers her hidden passion for music. With an unpredictable journey, Flavia will discover and honor her true identity. With warm illustrations and an uplifting tale, "Forte" is sure to make you smile. I especially enjoyed the way the author effortlessly fused French and Brazilian cultures in a memorable, relatable protagonist. An excellent young adult comic.
Now available.
In Manon Heugel's inspiration coming of age comic, "Forte"we see a young girl begin to grow comfortable in her own skin. Young Flavia has not had an easy childhood. After watching her father get shot in her favaela, she and her mother have to make ends meet. With a little help from Mr. Lima, a retired pianist, Flavia discovers her hidden passion for music. With an unpredictable journey, Flavia will discover and honor her true identity. With warm illustrations and an uplifting tale, "Forte" is sure to make you smile. I especially enjoyed the way the author effortlessly fused French and Brazilian cultures in a memorable, relatable protagonist. An excellent young adult comic.
Thank you to Europe Comics and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader's Copy!
Now available.
In Manon Heugel's inspiration coming of age comic, "Forte"we see a young girl begin to grow comfortable in her own skin. Young Flavia has not had an easy childhood. After watching her father get shot in her favaela, she and her mother have to make ends meet. With a little help from Mr. Lima, a retired pianist, Flavia discovers her hidden passion for music. With an unpredictable journey, Flavia will discover and honor her true identity. With warm illustrations and an uplifting tale, "Forte" is sure to make you smile. I especially enjoyed the way the author effortlessly fused French and Brazilian cultures in a memorable, relatable protagonist. An excellent young adult comic.
Now available.
In Manon Heugel's inspiration coming of age comic, "Forte"we see a young girl begin to grow comfortable in her own skin. Young Flavia has not had an easy childhood. After watching her father get shot in her favaela, she and her mother have to make ends meet. With a little help from Mr. Lima, a retired pianist, Flavia discovers her hidden passion for music. With an unpredictable journey, Flavia will discover and honor her true identity. With warm illustrations and an uplifting tale, "Forte" is sure to make you smile. I especially enjoyed the way the author effortlessly fused French and Brazilian cultures in a memorable, relatable protagonist. An excellent young adult comic.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
PER ASPERA AD ASTRA
Forté made me think of the Polish idiom lejesz miód na moje serce - which literally translates to 'you are pouring honey onto my heart' and means 'you make me happy'. The honey Manon Heugel and Kim Consigny gift us in their graphic novel is sweet, sometimes maybe a trifle too much, but it is also nutritious and yummy, not like the artificial type you can buy at a supermarket.
What is the forte of Forté? First of all, it does not pretend anything: it is a simple, straightforward, uplifting story which does not demand much from a reader but gives comfort. It has got the moral clarity of a fable: if you work hard, your dreams will come true. Always be yourself. Reach high. The story goes to prove that Flavia’s mother was wrong when she said, 'Only rich people become artists'.
From rags to riches – or in this case from a favela in Brazil to a concert hall in Paris - is a cliché, no doubt about it, but Manon Heugel and Kim Consigny turned it into something utterly pleasant, genuine and truly heartening. This sort of optimism smells with naivety at times but the unpretentious humour makes a difference.
Special merit to the perfectly amiable protagonist. She is quite a character, that Flavia Antunes! Music is the essence of her life. She learns to play the piano, then wins a scholarship and goes to France. Unfortunately, living in Paris and having no money is not a favourable combination. Fulfilling young musician’s ambitions requires sacrifices, eating cat food included. Forté in the title refers not only to the music term I guess – it also encapsulates Flavia’s attitude, her passion and determination. The stubborn girl from Belem in Brazil dominates the plot but other characters are also intriguing.
Forté reminded me of another graphic novel I liked, [b:Polina|11196108|Polina|Bastien Vivès|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1330381746l/11196108._SX50_.jpg|15742477], also about a girl, a future ballet dancer, who fights to pursue her dream. If I had to compare both books: Manon Heugel and Kim Consigny’s story is more heartwarming, lighter and their characters are more likeable than Bastien Vivès’.
Another enjoyable thing about Forté is its dynamics and I mean not only the plot but also a couple of other things: changes of mood: from a traumatic experience at the beginning to happiness and fulfilment, different locations (Brazil - France - Brazil), the way Flavia matures over the years, the evolution of relationships depicted in the book.
Forté is Manon Heugel's first book and it looks like a promising debut. I read it in one sitting, pleasantly surprised with its balming effect. Flavia’s story is not only movingly told but also subtly drawn. Kim Consigny’s energetic pictures complete the story ideally. I have an impression that she smiled every time she drew jaunty Flavia. You just feel it.
Forté made me think of the Polish idiom lejesz miód na moje serce - which literally translates to 'you are pouring honey onto my heart' and means 'you make me happy'. The honey Manon Heugel and Kim Consigny gift us in their graphic novel is sweet, sometimes maybe a trifle too much, but it is also nutritious and yummy, not like the artificial type you can buy at a supermarket.
What is the forte of Forté? First of all, it does not pretend anything: it is a simple, straightforward, uplifting story which does not demand much from a reader but gives comfort. It has got the moral clarity of a fable: if you work hard, your dreams will come true. Always be yourself. Reach high. The story goes to prove that Flavia’s mother was wrong when she said, 'Only rich people become artists'.

From rags to riches – or in this case from a favela in Brazil to a concert hall in Paris - is a cliché, no doubt about it, but Manon Heugel and Kim Consigny turned it into something utterly pleasant, genuine and truly heartening. This sort of optimism smells with naivety at times but the unpretentious humour makes a difference.
Special merit to the perfectly amiable protagonist. She is quite a character, that Flavia Antunes! Music is the essence of her life. She learns to play the piano, then wins a scholarship and goes to France. Unfortunately, living in Paris and having no money is not a favourable combination. Fulfilling young musician’s ambitions requires sacrifices, eating cat food included. Forté in the title refers not only to the music term I guess – it also encapsulates Flavia’s attitude, her passion and determination. The stubborn girl from Belem in Brazil dominates the plot but other characters are also intriguing.

Forté reminded me of another graphic novel I liked, [b:Polina|11196108|Polina|Bastien Vivès|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1330381746l/11196108._SX50_.jpg|15742477], also about a girl, a future ballet dancer, who fights to pursue her dream. If I had to compare both books: Manon Heugel and Kim Consigny’s story is more heartwarming, lighter and their characters are more likeable than Bastien Vivès’.
Another enjoyable thing about Forté is its dynamics and I mean not only the plot but also a couple of other things: changes of mood: from a traumatic experience at the beginning to happiness and fulfilment, different locations (Brazil - France - Brazil), the way Flavia matures over the years, the evolution of relationships depicted in the book.
Forté is Manon Heugel's first book and it looks like a promising debut. I read it in one sitting, pleasantly surprised with its balming effect. Flavia’s story is not only movingly told but also subtly drawn. Kim Consigny’s energetic pictures complete the story ideally. I have an impression that she smiled every time she drew jaunty Flavia. You just feel it.
