Étienne Davodeau

Lulu Anew by Etienne Davodeau might seem to have a talk show-type storyline: a married mother leaves her husband and three kids behind to have adventures and find herself. But it's not, and the way the story is delivered is unlike any I've seen. Lulu is middle-aged and not a beauty (except inside). When she has eye-opening sex, her kindred spirit counterpart is no George Clooney. Who she meets along the way, what happens, and how she handles where she ends up, are all unexpected. I'll be show more looking for more by this author. show less

Probablemente mi libro favorito de Davodeau (uno de mis favoritos, en general) Esta historia de "ignorantes" que transmiten su amor por lo que hacen y se van empapando del saber ajeno es uno de sus mejores trabajos. Una historia que engancha y absorbe sin necesitar nada más que la fuerza de sus personajes.

It's unfortunate that we can't put visuals in our book reviews. If you want to see what I'm talking about visually, go here: http://www.librarything.com/topic/306023#6806471

The Initiates, graphic nonfiction, is by the author of Lulu Anew. Although very different, it's as good as that one or better.. Graphic book writer Davodeau and artisanal wine maker Richard Leroy agree to teach one another their respective vocations. Davodeau assigns Leroy many seminal graphic novels to read, and together show more they attend conventions, and meet publishers and printers. Meanwhile, Leroy has Davodeau working by his side in his vineyard, and meeting barrelmakers, wine-selling restauranteurs and other winemakers. While the reader, through their exchanges, learns a lot about both vocations (for me, particularly winemaking!), these are two interesting and inquiring individuals who have gentle humor and much to say about life in general. I found this charming and unflaggingly interesting, with beautiful drawings by Davodeau.

I loved their times in the vineyard, shaping it and helping it reach fruition.

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The meetings with other winemakers and restauranteurs seemed so fun.

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Richard was frank in his reactions to graphic artists, even dissing one of my favorites, Moebius.

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Un Davodeau más ligero que en otras ocasiones pero no menos interesante. La idea de presentar una historia en el Louvre desde el punto de vista de un vigilante es muy original y la relación del protagonista con su pareja y familia política está muy bien llevada (En mi opinión la forma en la que desarrolla relaciones personales es uno de los puntos fuertes del autor)