Michel Rabagliati

A very affable autobiographical (-style?) tale told with charm and wit. It's not groundbreaking stuff, but there's a calmness of tone and precision of eye here that's comforting. The final act seems to come out of nowhere, and while it's true that real life is often like that, it's also true that real life isn't always great art.

Un album dans le genre « coming of age ». Paul est un ado paumé et en révolte contre le monde, il se cherche... et se trouve grâce à un travail dans un camp de vacances lors d’un été. J’ai trouvé l’oeuvre vraiment poignante. Rabagliati n’a pas peur de représenter Paul avec tous ses travers et dans toute sa vulnérabilité. Les portraits de tous les personnages semblent justes et sont très vivants. J’ai eu les larmes aux yeux plusieurs fois en lisant comment Paul grandit show more au contact des jeunes du camp. Super roman graphique dans la tradition de l’autofiction ! show less

I discovered this book on the shelf at my local library. Having been a summer camp counselor myself, I picked it up and read it. The story begins with Paul dropping out of high school. Due to his poor grades, he is not allowed to participate in a mural artwork project which he has thrown his heart and soul into. Devastated and angry, Paul drops out and finds a menial job at a printing press shop on the outskirts of Montreal. He quickly realizes that this life is not meant for him - he wants show more better things in life. However, he is very lucky - he has loving, understanding parents who love him no matter what. Then a strike of good fortune - his priest at his local parish recruits him to be a summer camp counselor at a rustic summer camp for underprivileged children set on a beautiful lakeside in the middle of a quebec mountain range. There, he learns (and then teach!) rock climbing, self-reliance, responsibility - and falls in love for the first time. Then, he has a very special camper - a little girl who is blind. One of the most touching books I have ever read, it tells a story about a young man coming of age - not without the help of some very good people. OK, I better stop typing now, as I am getting all misty-eyed. Such a touching read. Highly recommended to anyone. show less

How can you not love Paul? He starts out as a high school dropout, winds up working at a printing shop, and then quits his job on a whim to fill a recently vacated position of camp counselor. Completely divorced from his cushy homelife, Paul begins to learn how good he's had it as he encounters a series of campers who've had some hard knocks but take life in stride. To top it off, Paul falls in love with his teammate--hey, you've got to have a summer love while at camp! The ending is show more fantastic, drawing the story back in on itself--easily one of my favorite graphic novels I've read this year. show less