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bobbiejowoo's review
5.0
There is so much I’m constantly made aware of that I don’t know. I am so thankful to stories and writers like this that share these stories.
nomad_reads's review against another edition
4.0
The photographer of Mauthausen is a Historical Fiction/ Non-Fiction Graphic Novel based on true events. Actually the author himself have disclaimed that the dialogues between the characters are only guesswork so we can safely say it as retelling based on true events in the life of Francisco Boix.
Francisco was Spanish press photographer and belonged to communist party. During the onset of WW2 he fled to France. But unfortunately he was handed over to Germans as War Prisoners. All the war prisoners are usually sent to Mauthausen concentration camp.
It is called as "Bone Mill" by Germans because it is category 3 camp, meaning no prisoner to come out alive. Unlike extermination by gassing in Auschwitz, Mauthausen does it by slave labor and exhaustion.
The book starts when Francisco arrives at the camp. He soon join the secret communist party inside and gets a job in Identity Department as Photographer. When a SS documenting the death of Prisoners comes to know about Francisco's interest in photography, he takes him for his pet project.
As Francisco learns the nature of his new work, he realizes it will be their only chance to collect proofs of whats happening in these concentration camps and expose the Nazis to world. At first many people agrees and help him. But they eventually stop when the risk of getting caught becomes inevitable. So he must do the final act with a help of small boy whom he sworn to protect. It puts all the life of prisoner in danger.
It is must read graphic novel! The artwork is Dark, Gloomy and not joyful complementing the story it tells. I even verified all the major events mentioned in this book and found it to be true. I gained lot of knowledge from this read! There is also a movie in the same name of you are interested. It is an IMPORTANT read and I will rate it 4 ⭐
Francisco was Spanish press photographer and belonged to communist party. During the onset of WW2 he fled to France. But unfortunately he was handed over to Germans as War Prisoners. All the war prisoners are usually sent to Mauthausen concentration camp.
It is called as "Bone Mill" by Germans because it is category 3 camp, meaning no prisoner to come out alive. Unlike extermination by gassing in Auschwitz, Mauthausen does it by slave labor and exhaustion.
The book starts when Francisco arrives at the camp. He soon join the secret communist party inside and gets a job in Identity Department as Photographer. When a SS documenting the death of Prisoners comes to know about Francisco's interest in photography, he takes him for his pet project.
As Francisco learns the nature of his new work, he realizes it will be their only chance to collect proofs of whats happening in these concentration camps and expose the Nazis to world. At first many people agrees and help him. But they eventually stop when the risk of getting caught becomes inevitable. So he must do the final act with a help of small boy whom he sworn to protect. It puts all the life of prisoner in danger.
It is must read graphic novel! The artwork is Dark, Gloomy and not joyful complementing the story it tells. I even verified all the major events mentioned in this book and found it to be true. I gained lot of knowledge from this read! There is also a movie in the same name of you are interested. It is an IMPORTANT read and I will rate it 4 ⭐
luxielit's review against another edition
5.0
The Photographer of Mauthausen is the semi-factual account of Fransisco Boix, a Spanish photographer captured in France and taken to the Nazi concentration camp Mauthausen. When it's discovered he speaks German, soldiers use him to translate insults and derogatory remarks to their victims. He ends up in a position developing film for Ricken, an evil man intent on creating photographic art out of death. Fransisco believes the film negatives are his only chance at telling the true story of what took place at the camp and decides to sneak them out at any cost: whether it be his life or that of others.
Historical fiction isn't a genre I read often but this story sounded like one I needed to hear. Its graphic novel form ended up making it the perfect medium to read it in because the artwork provided a direct window into the past. The coloring was also done beautifully: fires seemed to glow in dim scenes with grim colors. The storytelling held suspense and I found myself on the edge of my seat a few times as Fransisco needed to make hard but important choices in life-threatening circumstances. This was a really good read and I recommend to anyone who enjoys historical-based stories or enjoys first-person accounts.
Trigger Warning for graphic images of death.
Thank you Dead Reckoning Publishing for providing an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Historical fiction isn't a genre I read often but this story sounded like one I needed to hear. Its graphic novel form ended up making it the perfect medium to read it in because the artwork provided a direct window into the past. The coloring was also done beautifully: fires seemed to glow in dim scenes with grim colors. The storytelling held suspense and I found myself on the edge of my seat a few times as Fransisco needed to make hard but important choices in life-threatening circumstances. This was a really good read and I recommend to anyone who enjoys historical-based stories or enjoys first-person accounts.
Trigger Warning for graphic images of death.
Thank you Dead Reckoning Publishing for providing an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
sirah's review against another edition
4.0
The first time I heard the term "graphic novel" I was worried that such novels included graphic violence. To date, this is the only graphic novel I have read that contains actual graphic violence. It just goes to show that first impressions aren't everything.
Nazi concentration camps have been the subject of a lot of documentaries, whether in film, nonfiction book, or in another medium. This one toes the line between being historic fiction and documentary, but I'm not sure which side it falls on. Naturally, due to the subject matter (namely Nazi death camps), some of the material is rather disturbing. The illustrator doesn't hesitate to create graphic renderings of the violence and cruelty that occurred in this camp, frequently referencing actual photos taken at the time (and which presumably had something to do with the inspiration for this book). Primarily because of this, the novel is sometimes brutally honest and hard to stomach. The main character himself, however, justifies this in the end, saying that if no one knows and the survivors aren't believed, then history is destined to repeat; a hard truth that has played out too many times in the decades since the Nazi war camp liberation.
Sirah, did you like this book? What a foolish question; how can one say that one enjoyed reading a book about cruelty, injustice and pain? However, this book skillfully works with the abominations that occurred in order to weave an inescapable picture of what should have been done and what still needs to be done to protect human rights everywhere. It was especially meaningful to me as a photographer to see that photographs really can make a difference if people have the eyes to see them for what they really are. I can't say I'll be recommending this book to my elementary students since it contains so much mature content, but I think this is a story worth being told.
Nazi concentration camps have been the subject of a lot of documentaries, whether in film, nonfiction book, or in another medium. This one toes the line between being historic fiction and documentary, but I'm not sure which side it falls on. Naturally, due to the subject matter (namely Nazi death camps), some of the material is rather disturbing. The illustrator doesn't hesitate to create graphic renderings of the violence and cruelty that occurred in this camp, frequently referencing actual photos taken at the time (and which presumably had something to do with the inspiration for this book). Primarily because of this, the novel is sometimes brutally honest and hard to stomach. The main character himself, however, justifies this in the end, saying that if no one knows and the survivors aren't believed, then history is destined to repeat; a hard truth that has played out too many times in the decades since the Nazi war camp liberation.
Sirah, did you like this book? What a foolish question; how can one say that one enjoyed reading a book about cruelty, injustice and pain? However, this book skillfully works with the abominations that occurred in order to weave an inescapable picture of what should have been done and what still needs to be done to protect human rights everywhere. It was especially meaningful to me as a photographer to see that photographs really can make a difference if people have the eyes to see them for what they really are. I can't say I'll be recommending this book to my elementary students since it contains so much mature content, but I think this is a story worth being told.
stacyroth's review against another edition
5.0
I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased opinion.
Francisco Boix was a Spanish press photographer who fled to France at the beginning of World War II. There, he and other communists were handed over by the French to the Nazis and sent to Mauthausen concentration camp. When the Nazis learn about his photography skills, he is put to work processing photos taken in the camp. When he is made to develop pictures of the deaths of prisoners in the camp, Francisco realizes this is his chance to share with the outside world the atrocities being committed in the camp. Knowing he is risking not only his own life but the lives of others at the camp, Francisco vows to do whatever it takes to get these photos out to the world.
This is a true story of one of the many atrocities experienced in the concentration camps at the hands of Nazis in World War II. The illustrations capture the horrors of Mauthausen, making this a powerful, moving graphic novel. This book makes me want to learn more about Boix. I highly recommend this graphic novel!
Francisco Boix was a Spanish press photographer who fled to France at the beginning of World War II. There, he and other communists were handed over by the French to the Nazis and sent to Mauthausen concentration camp. When the Nazis learn about his photography skills, he is put to work processing photos taken in the camp. When he is made to develop pictures of the deaths of prisoners in the camp, Francisco realizes this is his chance to share with the outside world the atrocities being committed in the camp. Knowing he is risking not only his own life but the lives of others at the camp, Francisco vows to do whatever it takes to get these photos out to the world.
This is a true story of one of the many atrocities experienced in the concentration camps at the hands of Nazis in World War II. The illustrations capture the horrors of Mauthausen, making this a powerful, moving graphic novel. This book makes me want to learn more about Boix. I highly recommend this graphic novel!
stacyroth's review
5.0
I received an ARC of this audiobook through NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased opinion.
Francisco Boix was a Spanish press photographer who fled to France at the beginning of World War II. There, he and other communists were handed over by the French to the Nazis and sent to Mauthausen concentration camp. When the Nazis learn about his photography skills, he is put to work processing photos taken in the camp. When he is made to develop pictures of the deaths of prisoners in the camp, Francisco realizes this is his chance to share with the outside world the atrocities being committed in the camp. Knowing he is risking not only his own life but the lives of others at the camp, Francisco vows to do whatever it takes to get these photos out to the world.
This is a true story of one of the many atrocities experienced in the concentration camps at the hands of Nazis in World War II. The illustrations capture the horrors of Mauthausen, making this a powerful, moving graphic novel. This book makes me want to learn more about Boix. I highly recommend this graphic novel!
Francisco Boix was a Spanish press photographer who fled to France at the beginning of World War II. There, he and other communists were handed over by the French to the Nazis and sent to Mauthausen concentration camp. When the Nazis learn about his photography skills, he is put to work processing photos taken in the camp. When he is made to develop pictures of the deaths of prisoners in the camp, Francisco realizes this is his chance to share with the outside world the atrocities being committed in the camp. Knowing he is risking not only his own life but the lives of others at the camp, Francisco vows to do whatever it takes to get these photos out to the world.
This is a true story of one of the many atrocities experienced in the concentration camps at the hands of Nazis in World War II. The illustrations capture the horrors of Mauthausen, making this a powerful, moving graphic novel. This book makes me want to learn more about Boix. I highly recommend this graphic novel!
librarian_nic's review
4.0
No graphic novel or photos will ever convey what happened to the people in the camps, undoubtedly. This was a new point of reference for me, having not known or remembered that the Spanish, Russian, and how many other communities were ‘cleansed’ by the Nazis.
To think Francisco died at the same age I am now. Unbelievable.
To think Francisco died at the same age I am now. Unbelievable.
madhattersfolly_reads's review
4.0
Arc via Netgalley
This graphic novel is the the tale of Francisco Boix, a Spanish photographer captured by Nazis and sent to Mauthausen. The novel explores what might have happened during his time in the concentration camp and how he came to smuggle out negatives of photographs depicting the deaths of his fellow prisoners to be used later as proof against his captors.
This graphic novel is very well done. The story is compelling and the illustration style matches the tone perfectly. As a photographer myself and someone who is interested in WWII history, I appreciate the chance to learn a little bit more about the Mauthausen concentration camp and Boix's story. It's not one that I hear much about.
Highly recommend.
This graphic novel is the the tale of Francisco Boix, a Spanish photographer captured by Nazis and sent to Mauthausen. The novel explores what might have happened during his time in the concentration camp and how he came to smuggle out negatives of photographs depicting the deaths of his fellow prisoners to be used later as proof against his captors.
This graphic novel is very well done. The story is compelling and the illustration style matches the tone perfectly. As a photographer myself and someone who is interested in WWII history, I appreciate the chance to learn a little bit more about the Mauthausen concentration camp and Boix's story. It's not one that I hear much about.
Highly recommend.