Joy of joys , a book that defies convention and categorisation. Is this fiction? I’m not sure. It reads as very real emotionally. Is it a graphic novel? No, not ‘comicy’ enough. Is it a picture book? No, there is a textual narrative as well as a visual one. Does it matter? No. Does it work? YES! At under two hundred pages the book presents as a concentration of actions and reactions to the ending of an unrequited love affair.
Heading blurbwards, the book is described as an illustrated novel and offers the reader this precis.
‘How can you mend a broken heart? Do you write a letter to the woman who left you - and post it to an imaginary address? Or get rid of the jacket you wore every time you argues, because it was in some way responsible?
Combining the wry musings of a rejected lover with playful drawings in just three colours - red, black and white - bestselling author of The Red Notebook, Antoine Laurain, and renowned artist Le Sonneur have created a striking addition to the literature of unrequited love.’
It’s a wonderful fusion of the most simple yet effective art work, the symbol of the ladder endures as leitmotiv through so many of the illustrations, and Laurain’s witty yet poignant text. The reader truly believes he is a man shunned and rejected by the love of his life. Full of extravagant gestures like throwing away a €50 hard drive because it contained hundreds of photos. Replete with philosophical musings on the nature of love - ‘Can you change the path of love by changing your watch?’ Somehow Laurain manages to convey the desperation of his protagonist with his words and Le Sonneur expresses the confusion and disbelief with his drawings. Yet whilst the subject matter could be interpreted as a little depressing Lauren’s treatment of it never really allows the reader to spiral downwards because of the writer’s idiosyncratic thought processes. It is quite bewitching.
I’ve read a couple of Laurain’s previous books, The Reader’s Room and Vintage 1954, and I thoroughly enjoyed the quirkiness of this author. I’m no less delighted by this novella. Another joy is that because of its apparent brevity it is easy to revisit again and again placing few demands on your time but enriching your mind both visually and cerebrally. Beautifully translated by Jane Aitken.
My thanks to Gallic Books for a gifted proof.
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