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Motorossa
Franca, 18 ans, a quitté Rome à la mort de sa mère pour venir habiter chez son oncle et sa tante à Carbonia, en Sardaigne. La rencontre de Silvio, un jeune du village, est l'occasion pour elle de monter pour la première fois sur une moto... et c'est une révélation. Elle décide alors de liquider l'héritage prévu pour ses études et d'acheter une moto afin de participer à la course régionale sur le circuit de la ville, où rien ne se passera comme prévu...
160 pages, Paperback
First published June 16, 2023
1 person is currently reading
28 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
October 6, 2023
4/5
- Thank you to the author and the publisher for putting this title as a "read now" on NetGalley. -
It's always cool to see people writing their stories using Italy as their base.
In this case we are in Sardinia and it's the story of a young girl who lost her balance after losing her mother. She will soon find her strenght back riding a Ducati that bought with the money her mother left her.
From this point the main plot seems to be centered around her trying to succeed in the regional motor cup in Carbonia, the main set of the story.
Thing is we will never know what really happened during that day because the story gets abruptly cut and jumps 15 years ahead, where it wraps up.
I honestly didn't like this author choice, because in the end all this tells us everything and nothing at the same time. We do get an ending but it's way too open to be considered an actual conclusion of the story.
The color scheme was very vibrant and the drawings despite being kinda sketchy were very clear.
The story left me a little dubious, I would have preferred another path.
Still a very enjoyable read set in Italy.
A note from a native Italian: the names were a little weird and despite having many italian terms, even if spelled correctly not always were used in the correct way.
- Thank you to the author and the publisher for putting this title as a "read now" on NetGalley. -
It's always cool to see people writing their stories using Italy as their base.
In this case we are in Sardinia and it's the story of a young girl who lost her balance after losing her mother. She will soon find her strenght back riding a Ducati that bought with the money her mother left her.
From this point the main plot seems to be centered around her trying to succeed in the regional motor cup in Carbonia, the main set of the story.
Thing is we will never know what really happened during that day because the story gets abruptly cut and jumps 15 years ahead, where it wraps up.
I honestly didn't like this author choice, because in the end all this tells us everything and nothing at the same time. We do get an ending but it's way too open to be considered an actual conclusion of the story.
The color scheme was very vibrant and the drawings despite being kinda sketchy were very clear.
The story left me a little dubious, I would have preferred another path.
Still a very enjoyable read set in Italy.
A note from a native Italian: the names were a little weird and despite having many italian terms, even if spelled correctly not always were used in the correct way.
October 6, 2023
Did I read this book just because it's set in Sardinia? ... probably.
A young girl from Rome moved to Carbonia to live with her aunt and uncle after her mother’s death, and two years later she still feels the sting of grief. She’s seen as a foreigner in the village, not doing anything to become part of the tight knit community, and dreaming to go back to Rome so she can study archeology. In the last summer after high school, as she starts to mingle with the locals, she discovers a new passion that makes her forget her grief for a moment: speedracing.
She decides to buy a bike with her inheritance and compete in the Carbonia Cup.
The graphic novel is about overcoming grief, friendship and teenage dreams, set in the atmospheric views of the mountains and the Sardinian sea; it’s a cute little standalone story, with simple illustrations and a vivid color scheme.
The book is a translation from the French, but I can tell that the words in Italian were kept the same from the original version, as I imagine it contains the same mistakes someone not well versed in the language would make, but please I need everyone to understand you don’t use “ciao” in formal situations! That one was difficult to ignore. (Also. The majority of the characters - and all the racers -is Sardinian and not a single one of them has a traditional Sardinian surname: what’s that about?)
Overall it was an enjoyable read!
Access to the ARC acquired thanks to NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
A young girl from Rome moved to Carbonia to live with her aunt and uncle after her mother’s death, and two years later she still feels the sting of grief. She’s seen as a foreigner in the village, not doing anything to become part of the tight knit community, and dreaming to go back to Rome so she can study archeology. In the last summer after high school, as she starts to mingle with the locals, she discovers a new passion that makes her forget her grief for a moment: speedracing.
She decides to buy a bike with her inheritance and compete in the Carbonia Cup.
The graphic novel is about overcoming grief, friendship and teenage dreams, set in the atmospheric views of the mountains and the Sardinian sea; it’s a cute little standalone story, with simple illustrations and a vivid color scheme.
The book is a translation from the French, but I can tell that the words in Italian were kept the same from the original version, as I imagine it contains the same mistakes someone not well versed in the language would make, but please I need everyone to understand you don’t use “ciao” in formal situations! That one was difficult to ignore. (Also. The majority of the characters - and all the racers -is Sardinian and not a single one of them has a traditional Sardinian surname: what’s that about?)
Overall it was an enjoyable read!
Access to the ARC acquired thanks to NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 29, 2023
This is a beautiful story and it is beautifully drawn and coloured. Franca is bereaved and grieving, having just lost her mother. She has moved to the island of Sardinia to live with her aunt and uncle, and she is finding it difficult to fit in with the people of this small island, having grown up in Rome.
She then discovers the world of motor bike racing and decides to give it a go despite her aunt”s nagging. As she races, she becomes an insider and begins to make friends, and when racing opens up a whole new world to her she takes the chance to grow. As she does this she encounters friendship, love and opportunities, but she also leaves her mark on the small town and others.
This is a lovely coming of age story, although I did think the ending was a little rushed. The reader gets to see Franca grow and develop into adulthood with near misses and true love. It is a gentle story which draws the readers in.
Copy provided by Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
She then discovers the world of motor bike racing and decides to give it a go despite her aunt”s nagging. As she races, she becomes an insider and begins to make friends, and when racing opens up a whole new world to her she takes the chance to grow. As she does this she encounters friendship, love and opportunities, but she also leaves her mark on the small town and others.
This is a lovely coming of age story, although I did think the ending was a little rushed. The reader gets to see Franca grow and develop into adulthood with near misses and true love. It is a gentle story which draws the readers in.
Copy provided by Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
March 30, 2025
ÇA DÉBITE DANS MA PAMPA ITALIENNE (c'était vraiment super)
June 26, 2024
Couleurs incroyables, ambiance incroyable, et histoire incroyable : une meuf qui se prend de passion pour la vitesse et la moto. Tout le monde se moque d’elle et la critique, dit qu’elle est arrogante etc. : le sexisme quoi. Avec l’aide de son grand-père elle va leur prouver qu’ils ont tort. Et j’aurais tellement aimé que ce soit juste ça : une histoire d’une meuf qui gère sur sa moto, qui file à toute vitesse et qui fait fermer leur gueule à tous ces pauvres mecs. Sauf qu’il y a une sorte de fausse histoire d’amour qui apporte rien et une fin que j’ai trouvé pas à la hauteur mais bon c’est subjectif!! On voit jamais la fin de la course donc je suis frustrée de pas la voir gagner. Puis qu’elle reprenne ses études et se case avec un mec c’est comme si « tout finit bien après sa crise existentielle elle reprend le droit chemin d’une femme rangée : bonnes études et couple hétéro monogame », ça casse l’intensité ca m’a sortie de l’histoire :/
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2024
Sweet short book, I love the art especially. Simple story, captivating, however I found the choice of ending to be odd as opposed to a more conventional ending which may have fit the narrative better. There were also some aspects that felt tacked on, however I did enjoy my time with this and it’s worth a read
April 26, 2025
One way off Sardinia is to win the local motorbike contest, for there's a peculiar local scene revolving around race-level biking. But when a girl initially from Rome, perhaps only on a bike because of a boy's interest or because of grief for her mother, enters the contest? We have a 'my formative summer' read that could potentially be very different indeed...
If anything is really distinctive here, mind, it's the style – very easy and visual, like a ligne clair comic but perhaps with even less detail than usual. That, however, is in keeping with quite the simplistic underdog approach of the story, as the three rounds of the race play out. Not to give too much away about the ending, but the way the book ducks that is really weird and out of place, but before then this is perfectly amenable stuff. Our girl is likeable, the race action is not too bad at all, and even if the lass's progression is a bit too fairy tale, and the lads a little too easy to get confused, this is probably closest to a four star read. It's never an earth-changer, but is some nice, light entertainment.
If anything is really distinctive here, mind, it's the style – very easy and visual, like a ligne clair comic but perhaps with even less detail than usual. That, however, is in keeping with quite the simplistic underdog approach of the story, as the three rounds of the race play out. Not to give too much away about the ending, but the way the book ducks that is really weird and out of place, but before then this is perfectly amenable stuff. Our girl is likeable, the race action is not too bad at all, and even if the lass's progression is a bit too fairy tale, and the lads a little too easy to get confused, this is probably closest to a four star read. It's never an earth-changer, but is some nice, light entertainment.
June 22, 2023
Motorossa c'est le surnom dont les habitants de Carbonia ont affublé Franca la romaine, l'étrangère, venue vivre chez son oncle et sa tante au décès de sa mère. Franca est au bord du gouffre, elle dépérit à vue d'oeil jusqu'au moment où elle découvre le plaisir de rouler à moto. de plaisir à passion il n'y aura qu'un pas et c'est avec sa Decatti rouge qu'elle prendra le départ de la course régionale ...
Honnêtement les deux roues ce n'est pas mon truc mais là Albrespy Adèle et son complice au dessin Aubertin Jean m'ont piégée. Parce que à 18 ans on veut quitter Carbonia et concrétiser ses rêves , qu'à 18 ans les premières amours peuvent briser les coeurs..... Franca est un personnage très attachant qui grâce à sa passion a réussi à retrouver l'envie de vivre , de réaliser ses rêves et qui sait si la vie ne lui réserve pas d'autres surprises?
Merci beaucoup aux éditions Dargaud pour ce partage via netgalley France
#Motorossa #NetGalleyFrance !
Honnêtement les deux roues ce n'est pas mon truc mais là Albrespy Adèle et son complice au dessin Aubertin Jean m'ont piégée. Parce que à 18 ans on veut quitter Carbonia et concrétiser ses rêves , qu'à 18 ans les premières amours peuvent briser les coeurs..... Franca est un personnage très attachant qui grâce à sa passion a réussi à retrouver l'envie de vivre , de réaliser ses rêves et qui sait si la vie ne lui réserve pas d'autres surprises?
Merci beaucoup aux éditions Dargaud pour ce partage via netgalley France
#Motorossa #NetGalleyFrance !
June 21, 2023
J'ai beaucoup aimé cette Bande Dessinée!!!
Un premier roman graphique sensible et plein de caractère sur le deuil, l’amitié, la reconstruction… et la vitesse !
Franca, 18 ans, quitte Rome à la mort de sa mère pour venir habiter chez son oncle et sa tante à Carbonia en Sardaigne.
La rencontre de Silvio, un jeune du village, est l'occasion pour elle de monter pour la première fois sur une moto... et c'est une épiphanie ! La vitesse, la puissance et le danger ont un pouvoir palliatif lui permettant peu à peu d'oublier sa peine.
Elle décide alors de liquider l'héritage prévu pour ses études et d'acheter une moto pour participer à la course régionale sur le circuit de la ville, où rien ne se passera comme prévu...
Sous le soleil de la Sardaigne, une jeune héroïne découvre l’univers de la moto après la perte de sa mère, dans ce récit d’une jeunesse insulaire et contrastée.
Un premier roman graphique sensible et plein de caractère sur le deuil, l’amitié, la reconstruction… et la vitesse !
Franca, 18 ans, quitte Rome à la mort de sa mère pour venir habiter chez son oncle et sa tante à Carbonia en Sardaigne.
La rencontre de Silvio, un jeune du village, est l'occasion pour elle de monter pour la première fois sur une moto... et c'est une épiphanie ! La vitesse, la puissance et le danger ont un pouvoir palliatif lui permettant peu à peu d'oublier sa peine.
Elle décide alors de liquider l'héritage prévu pour ses études et d'acheter une moto pour participer à la course régionale sur le circuit de la ville, où rien ne se passera comme prévu...
Sous le soleil de la Sardaigne, une jeune héroïne découvre l’univers de la moto après la perte de sa mère, dans ce récit d’une jeunesse insulaire et contrastée.
October 17, 2023
I loved this book.
When I opened it and started reading, I couldn't stop. It was a book that captured me.
I think the graphic style was really well aligned with the story and the time in which it develops. This visual style was very impactful, for me. It was really fantastic.
And I love all the characters that appear in the story, each one has their own side. The main character is strong but is looking for something to soothe or use to distract herself from the pain. I loved the kinda "love triangle". It was something truly spectacular.
And that ending was really a perfection. She really needed to ear those words.
I totally loved it.
A huge thanks to
the author Jean Aubertin
the illustrator Adèle Albrespy
the publisher Europe Comics
and to Netgalley
When I opened it and started reading, I couldn't stop. It was a book that captured me.
I think the graphic style was really well aligned with the story and the time in which it develops. This visual style was very impactful, for me. It was really fantastic.
And I love all the characters that appear in the story, each one has their own side. The main character is strong but is looking for something to soothe or use to distract herself from the pain. I loved the kinda "love triangle". It was something truly spectacular.
And that ending was really a perfection. She really needed to ear those words.
I totally loved it.
A huge thanks to
the author Jean Aubertin
the illustrator Adèle Albrespy
the publisher Europe Comics
and to Netgalley
November 23, 2023
Voici une bd très chouette qui aborde de nombreux sujets importants.
J'ai beaucoup aimé le personnage principal que j'ai trouvée forte et intelligente. Elle a une énorme blessure et ça trouver dans les courses de moto une passion qui va l'aider à surmonter cela.
J'ai adoré sa force de caractère et sa détermination. Elle est attachante et suivre ses aventures est très chouette. Rôle donné une belle leçon de vie.
Les dessins sont sympas. Ce n'est pas le style graphique que j'aime le plus mais j'ai tout de même apprécié découvrir ce trait de crayon.
Je remercie les éditions Dargaud et NetGalleyFrance pour cette découverte inspirante.
J'ai beaucoup aimé le personnage principal que j'ai trouvée forte et intelligente. Elle a une énorme blessure et ça trouver dans les courses de moto une passion qui va l'aider à surmonter cela.
J'ai adoré sa force de caractère et sa détermination. Elle est attachante et suivre ses aventures est très chouette. Rôle donné une belle leçon de vie.
Les dessins sont sympas. Ce n'est pas le style graphique que j'aime le plus mais j'ai tout de même apprécié découvrir ce trait de crayon.
Je remercie les éditions Dargaud et NetGalleyFrance pour cette découverte inspirante.
September 29, 2023
This is an intriguing story of teenage dreams and ambition. Of the love of speed on a motorcycle. Of teenage love and romance, never fulfilled but not forgotten. Of unexpected support from family members to succeed, even in perilous circumstances. The comic has an interesting, and unexpected ending. Thank you to Europe Comics and NetGalley for the comic ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.
October 29, 2023
Une lecture très agréable avec un scénario bien ficelé. La sensation tout la fois de liberté et d'enfermement que peut provoquer la vie quotidienne sur une île est bien retranscrite. Je suis moins fan du trait, mais ça n'a pas gâché mon expérience.
Lu dans le cadre du prix bulles de cristal de la librairie L'Ange bleu
Lu dans le cadre du prix bulles de cristal de la librairie L'Ange bleu
April 2, 2024
Les illustrations sont 💛. J’ai adoré cette bd que j’ai vraiment dévoré. L’histoire se passe en Sardaigne et ça fait du bien ce paysage. J’ai trouvé que la fin était un poil rapide par rapport à tout le reste de la BD, d’où mon 4 et non 5 :)
April 7, 2024
Comics is a medium of „do not tell, show” and Motorossa evocative style and hinted, unspoken story details bring this up a notch. A must read take on life, reasons and life choices. I love the color palettes and seemingly nonchalant lines.
January 2, 2024
Mon cadeau de Noël. La Sardaigne les courses de motos et une fin digne du film d'Alice Rochwacher
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 22, 2024
The vibes are immaculate
January 6, 2025
Une belle BD comme une ode aux libres choix des femmes.
February 28, 2025
Fa venire voglia di prendere un'Ichnusa.
May 1, 2025
Une belle surprise. La BD alterne entre les scènes de course et la vie quotidienne de la jeune fille. Un bon souvenir.
May 27, 2025
Cliché mais pas mauvais
January 6, 2025
cutie pie
November 22, 2023
My first impression of this graphic novel was that the art style wasn't my favorite but that I would give it a read and see what I thought of the story. I very quickly got hooked into the story, it probably only took about 10 pages and then I was reading it all in one sitting, quickly devouring it. I very quickly connected to the main character and wanted to know more. At the beginning, she is struggling with the grief of losing her mother. She quickly finds an outlet in riding motorcycles and buys herself a Ducati (that's actually my dream brand of motorcycle if I ever had the guts of Franca to buy one). The rest of the story follows her racing trajectory during a cup tournament, how she is dealing with her grief, and her struggle between the things she wants: a career in archeology in Rome (what she wanted before she lost her mom) and racing (what's been keeping going since losing her mom). It's a really sweet story that actually made me tear up at a couple of parts. I really loved the other characters including her uncle who trains her, her friend, and Silvio. While I still didn't love the art style, I did appreciate it more as I read. The landscape style scenes that popped up every now and then kind of between scenes were really gorgeous, I just don't love this style for people personally, but it's still done well even if not my taste. My only critique story wise was that it suddenly jumped forward in time and then very quickly ended. It was abrupt and a bit bittersweet and open ended and it didn't really match the vibe I had enjoyed from the rest of the graphic novel. But the bulk of the story was really enjoyable, just wish we had a more fleshed out ending.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publishers, the author, and the artist for the ARC I read.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publishers, the author, and the artist for the ARC I read.
September 30, 2023
I picked this up for a vintage-looking artstyle and my deep and abiding fondness for stories about attractive people doing implausible races, and stayed for the exploration of grief and finding your own feet -- and okay, attractive people and impausible races, yes, you have me there.
It was really well-done, I thought: the artstyle appears simplistic at first, but it invokes the nostalgia for retro movies without getting lost in artistic gimmicks -- it's very easy to stay immersed in memories of Sardinia as they unfolded. The dynamics between the characters were nuanced enough to add depth to the story, the premise of a sports race thrilling enough to build tension, and there was a simmering promise of romance throughout, even if it didn't go in the direction I had expected at all. The epilogue could be seen as cheesy, but I actually found it cute, tinted with the same kind of nostalgia that to me defined the artstyle.
Thanks to Netgalley and Europe Comics for an arc of Motorossa. I enjoyed it.
It was really well-done, I thought: the artstyle appears simplistic at first, but it invokes the nostalgia for retro movies without getting lost in artistic gimmicks -- it's very easy to stay immersed in memories of Sardinia as they unfolded. The dynamics between the characters were nuanced enough to add depth to the story, the premise of a sports race thrilling enough to build tension, and there was a simmering promise of romance throughout, even if it didn't go in the direction I had expected at all. The epilogue could be seen as cheesy, but I actually found it cute, tinted with the same kind of nostalgia that to me defined the artstyle.
Thanks to Netgalley and Europe Comics for an arc of Motorossa. I enjoyed it.
October 4, 2023
Franca’s mom has died. She’s past the point of that sharp ache but she’s still missing something in her after the loss. Until, that is, a spontaneous ride on a motorcycle. Franca immediately goes and buys a brand new red Ducati. She’s going to school to be an archaeologist, but she needs something until then. On an island filled with bikers though, she still feels like an outcast. Motorossa follows Franca as she finds her place among the bikers of Sardinia and comes to terms with closing a chapter of her life.
I picked this book because it reminded me of Tintin, and that held true as I read it. I loved this. It’s bright and summery, primarily taking place in the small island of Sardinia in Italy. This was such a breeze to read I knew I’d find myself coming back to this comic again and again when I felt a little wanderlust. I found the end to be abrupt and a bit rushed, but part of me wonders if this harsh cut will grow on me over time. It feels like there could be value to it if I read it a few times over.
I picked this book because it reminded me of Tintin, and that held true as I read it. I loved this. It’s bright and summery, primarily taking place in the small island of Sardinia in Italy. This was such a breeze to read I knew I’d find myself coming back to this comic again and again when I felt a little wanderlust. I found the end to be abrupt and a bit rushed, but part of me wonders if this harsh cut will grow on me over time. It feels like there could be value to it if I read it a few times over.
October 23, 2023
In Carbonia, everybody loves motorcycles. There’s a famous amateur circuit, an annual cup that fills the village to the brim with tourists. And there’s the blue sea and the lazy beach. And… that’s pretty much it.
“When you come from Carbonia, you stay. We’re rooted to the spot. Like ancient ruins.” says Silvio, before taking Franca to a spin on his motorbike, hoping to scare her and maybe make her fall in love. And fall in love she did - with the speed, and the motorcycle :)
The colorful cover hides Franca’s colorful story - one that should’ve been predictable as heck. and yet it was unlike any I’ve ever read, about family, love, sports, finding one’s way, about goals and the sacrifices required to reach them. I really, really loved it. Maybe you will, too.
It’s Adèle Albrespy & Jean Aubertin’s first book - and I sure hope it won’t be the last. I’ll be waiting.
Disclaimer: I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. This didn't influence my opinion in any way.
“When you come from Carbonia, you stay. We’re rooted to the spot. Like ancient ruins.” says Silvio, before taking Franca to a spin on his motorbike, hoping to scare her and maybe make her fall in love. And fall in love she did - with the speed, and the motorcycle :)
The colorful cover hides Franca’s colorful story - one that should’ve been predictable as heck. and yet it was unlike any I’ve ever read, about family, love, sports, finding one’s way, about goals and the sacrifices required to reach them. I really, really loved it. Maybe you will, too.
It’s Adèle Albrespy & Jean Aubertin’s first book - and I sure hope it won’t be the last. I’ll be waiting.
Disclaimer: I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. This didn't influence my opinion in any way.
October 3, 2023
Franca's mom died, when she turns 18, she spends all her inheritance money on a new motorcycle to participate in competitions. But some surprises await.
Motorossa is a very well drawn comic with a charming protagonist. The artstyle is very clean with a sharp line and flat colors, very dynamic in the action scenes. I really liked the epilogue and I think the ending is very satisfying.
Thanks to Netgalley and Europe Comics for an arc of this comic.
Motorossa is a very well drawn comic with a charming protagonist. The artstyle is very clean with a sharp line and flat colors, very dynamic in the action scenes. I really liked the epilogue and I think the ending is very satisfying.
Thanks to Netgalley and Europe Comics for an arc of this comic.
October 5, 2023
Holy emotional rollercoaster, Batman! From grief, to anxiety, to heartwarming hug this graphic novel was not what I was expecting. There was second chance love, a love triangle, and found family. I signed up for a good motorcycle babe story and got so much more. I will revisit these characters often.
October 4, 2023
This was reminiscent of the Tintin style of graphics which I enjoyed. I also really enjoyed the overall story and I thought it was sweet. I'm not sure how it's accurate to the regions culture, but it was enjoyable read.
November 14, 2023
I enjoyed this story, at first I didn't like the art but as it went on the simplicity made me enjoy it more. I did not like the time jump towards the end. But overall, I enjoyed it, although the journey was a bit better than the destination...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews