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Sechzigmal Frühling im Winter
Am Tag ihres 60. Geburtstags weigert Josy sich, die Kerzen auf ihrem Kuchen auszupusten. Ihr Koffer ist gepackt, ihr Entschluss steht fest: Sie verlässt ihren Mann und ihr Zuhause, um in einem VW-Bus ein Leben in Freiheit zu führen, ohne Zwänge und Fesseln! Ihre Familie ist schockiert und wirft ihr Egoismus und Schlimmeres vor, aber Josy bleibt standhaft und findet schon bald neue Freundinnen, die sich ebenfalls gegen die gesellschaftlichen Erwartungen an sie gestellt haben. Aber wird das reichen, um Josys Sehnsucht nach einem Neuanfang zu stillen? Oder liegt der Grund für ihre Unzufriedenheit vielleicht noch tiefer in ihrer Seele, an dem Ort, wo die Liebe und das Verlangen leben?
Ingrid Chabbert (»Elma – Ein Bärenleben«) und Aimée de Jongh (»Das unabwendbare Altern der Gefühle«) zeichnen ein subtiles, anrührendes und modernes Bild einer späten Midlife-Crisis in Form eines Roadtrips, ohne Scheu vor Tabus und voller Denkanstöße.
Ingrid Chabbert (»Elma – Ein Bärenleben«) und Aimée de Jongh (»Das unabwendbare Altern der Gefühle«) zeichnen ein subtiles, anrührendes und modernes Bild einer späten Midlife-Crisis in Form eines Roadtrips, ohne Scheu vor Tabus und voller Denkanstöße.
120 pages, Hardcover
First published May 5, 2022
11 people are currently reading
685 people want to read
About the author
Aimée de Jongh
38 books178 followersAimée de Jongh (1988) is a comic author, animator and illustrator from the Netherlands, with a large variety of drawing styles. Aimée received her degree in Animation at the Willem de Kooning Academy Rotterdam, KASK Ghent and at the Gobelins Summer School Paris.
She debuted with Snippers, a humorous daily comic series for the Dutch newspaper Metro. Her first graphic novel The Return of the Honey Buzzard won the Prix Saint-Michel and was adapted to film. After this, Aimée decided to focus on graphic novels and animation. Her recent graphic novels are TAXI!, an autobiography about taxi rides, and Blossoms in Autumn, about love after 60, written by the Belgian comic author Zidrou.
In 2017, Aimée made her first graphic journalism work after visiting the refugee camps on Lesbos. This trip resulted in the drawn report Europe's Waiting Room.
Aimée has been involved in the animation industry for several years. She directed and animated the short film Aurora, she created storyboards for Amazon Prime's Undone, and animated a series of music videos for the television show De Wereld Draait Door. Aimée's biggest animation project was Behind the Telescopes, a 71-minute theatrical film with harpist Lavinia Meijer, which she directed and animated.
Aimée has taught various classes about comics, graphic journalism and animation. Currently, Aimée is making two new comic books, which will be released in 2020 and 2021.
She debuted with Snippers, a humorous daily comic series for the Dutch newspaper Metro. Her first graphic novel The Return of the Honey Buzzard won the Prix Saint-Michel and was adapted to film. After this, Aimée decided to focus on graphic novels and animation. Her recent graphic novels are TAXI!, an autobiography about taxi rides, and Blossoms in Autumn, about love after 60, written by the Belgian comic author Zidrou.
In 2017, Aimée made her first graphic journalism work after visiting the refugee camps on Lesbos. This trip resulted in the drawn report Europe's Waiting Room.
Aimée has been involved in the animation industry for several years. She directed and animated the short film Aurora, she created storyboards for Amazon Prime's Undone, and animated a series of music videos for the television show De Wereld Draait Door. Aimée's biggest animation project was Behind the Telescopes, a 71-minute theatrical film with harpist Lavinia Meijer, which she directed and animated.
Aimée has taught various classes about comics, graphic journalism and animation. Currently, Aimée is making two new comic books, which will be released in 2020 and 2021.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 225 reviews
August 24, 2024
Gostei da Cosy, gostei da Camelia e gostei da narrativa, gostei do traço e gostei das cores no entanto, deu-me a sensação de que foi tudo muito apressado. Não obstante, uma boa leitura.
July 14, 2022
"Listen, if we could see the future, what would we do then? Would we live fully? Would we still cross bridges if we already knew what was on the other side?"
After 35 years of ho-hum married life, Josy has finally summoned the nerve to walk away from it all, and try to live her life on her own terms.
I can't exactly agree with the way Josy decided to scram - during her sixtieth birthday party, with all of her family there, and before even having cake! (Geez! Never pass up cake!) But, as a firm believer in YOLO, I get why she did it. She takes off in an old VW van to live in a parking lot not far from home. (Her one big mistake, as far as I'm concerned, as she keeps encountering unforgiving family members.) There she makes new friends, discovers herself, and encounters a surprising love interest.
I really liked this one. The artwork is beautiful; rendered in cool tones, it seems appropriate to the rather bittersweet story.
An unusual and very involving graphic novel.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Europe Comics for making this one available.
After 35 years of ho-hum married life, Josy has finally summoned the nerve to walk away from it all, and try to live her life on her own terms.
I can't exactly agree with the way Josy decided to scram - during her sixtieth birthday party, with all of her family there, and before even having cake! (Geez! Never pass up cake!) But, as a firm believer in YOLO, I get why she did it. She takes off in an old VW van to live in a parking lot not far from home. (Her one big mistake, as far as I'm concerned, as she keeps encountering unforgiving family members.) There she makes new friends, discovers herself, and encounters a surprising love interest.
I really liked this one. The artwork is beautiful; rendered in cool tones, it seems appropriate to the rather bittersweet story.
An unusual and very involving graphic novel.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Europe Comics for making this one available.
May 7, 2025
Que tenho a dizer sobre uma mulher que sai de casa no dia em que completa 60 anos? Que, pelos vistos, não foi para tão longe como devia! O título original, “Soixante Printemps en Hiver”, funciona melhor transposto para português do que para espanhol, que foi a língua em que o li. São 60 primaveras feitas num inverno real mas também metafórico, quando a existência parece árida e sombria para a protagonista, Josy. Com os filhos adultos, um crescente distanciamento do marido e cabendo-lhe apenas tomar conta dos netos, Josy pergunta-se se a vida é só isto e sai porta fora sem dar explicações a ninguém.
As personagens femininas criadas por Ingrid Chabbert (que já conhecia de “Espuma”) são uma força da natureza, mas a paleta de cores escolhida por Aimee de Jongh, sobretudo no que toca aos tons de violeta, é simplesmente deslumbrante.
As personagens femininas criadas por Ingrid Chabbert (que já conhecia de “Espuma”) são uma força da natureza, mas a paleta de cores escolhida por Aimee de Jongh, sobretudo no que toca aos tons de violeta, é simplesmente deslumbrante.
July 30, 2022
Sixty Years in winter tells a nice story of sixty-year-old Josy, who leaves her husband on her birthday. It’s in the middle of the winter, and she drives away in her minivan with no destination in mind, with no plans for where to go.
I picked this up because of the illustrator Aimée de Jongh, because I loved her previous work, Days of Sand. The illustrations were excellent, as I expected. But the story was not so much to my liking. I couldn’t believe how Josy was planning this, but then ran off with no plan. And she often acted pretty immaturely. I guess she could at least try to explain to her family.
This graphic novel is a quick read for those who like bittersweet stories. But for me, the story could be better. 3.5 stars.
Thanks to Europe Comics for the ARC and this opportunity! This is a voluntary review, and all opinions are my own.
I picked this up because of the illustrator Aimée de Jongh, because I loved her previous work, Days of Sand. The illustrations were excellent, as I expected. But the story was not so much to my liking. I couldn’t believe how Josy was planning this, but then ran off with no plan. And she often acted pretty immaturely. I guess she could at least try to explain to her family.
This graphic novel is a quick read for those who like bittersweet stories. But for me, the story could be better. 3.5 stars.
Thanks to Europe Comics for the ARC and this opportunity! This is a voluntary review, and all opinions are my own.
May 19, 2025
No dia em que Josy faz 60 anos, cercada pela família, ela sente o peso da vida que levou — as convenções, os silêncios, a invisibilidade. Quando ela não apaga as velas e simplesmente vai-se embora, é como se recusasse o papel que esperam dela: o de mulher envelhecida, resignada, apagada. Ela escolhe o desvio, saindo de casa e tendo um gesto radical como se estivesse sufocada por uma vida, deixando todos preplexos com a sua atitude.
É um gesto de ruptura — silencioso, mas poderoso. Ela vai em busca de si mesma, de uma liberdade que talvez nunca tenha experimentado, longe das expectativas familiares, do casamento, da maternidade, das etiquetas. Um impulso que a leva a começar a viver as "60 primaveras" naquele inverno. Um recomeço que traz sempre consequências.
A arte de Aimée de Jongh ajuda a transmitir o que palavras às vezes não conseguem: a solidão, a descoberta, a coragem, o medo, mas também a beleza da redescoberta quando se espera a resignação. É o abandonar de tudo o que parecia seguro e recomeçar numa aventura sem saber o que a espera. Josy olhou para ela, não num ponto de vista egoísta, mas como mulher que tinha cumprido o que a sociedade esperava como mãe, esposa, avó e agora, aos 60 anos, finalmente, quis procurar, sem planos, a sua verdadeira identidade como Mulher.
Josy tomou uma atitude radical o que leva a acreditar que não havia diálogo e comunicação dentro da família onde não manifestava as suas vontades, os seus pontos de vista, as suas tristezas e se sentia sufocada. Chegou a um limite. Josy foi viver a sua aventura e descoberta aos 60 anos numa atitude quase que de rebeldia pela vida que tinha escolhido para ela até ali.
É um gesto de ruptura — silencioso, mas poderoso. Ela vai em busca de si mesma, de uma liberdade que talvez nunca tenha experimentado, longe das expectativas familiares, do casamento, da maternidade, das etiquetas. Um impulso que a leva a começar a viver as "60 primaveras" naquele inverno. Um recomeço que traz sempre consequências.
A arte de Aimée de Jongh ajuda a transmitir o que palavras às vezes não conseguem: a solidão, a descoberta, a coragem, o medo, mas também a beleza da redescoberta quando se espera a resignação. É o abandonar de tudo o que parecia seguro e recomeçar numa aventura sem saber o que a espera. Josy olhou para ela, não num ponto de vista egoísta, mas como mulher que tinha cumprido o que a sociedade esperava como mãe, esposa, avó e agora, aos 60 anos, finalmente, quis procurar, sem planos, a sua verdadeira identidade como Mulher.
Josy tomou uma atitude radical o que leva a acreditar que não havia diálogo e comunicação dentro da família onde não manifestava as suas vontades, os seus pontos de vista, as suas tristezas e se sentia sufocada. Chegou a um limite. Josy foi viver a sua aventura e descoberta aos 60 anos numa atitude quase que de rebeldia pela vida que tinha escolhido para ela até ali.
March 29, 2023
A arte dessa HQ é uma das coisas mais lindas que já vi!!!!
"Sessenta primaveras no inverno" é a história de uma mulher que, ao completar 60 anos, deixa para trás seu marido e seus filhos para tentar viver pelo mundo e se encontrar.
Josy se sente bem culpada pelo o que fez e quer mais que tudo explicar pros filhos, mas nenhum tem espaço para ouvi-la. Por ter se anulado por tanto tempo, o que ela fez parece errado.
Até que essa nova vida a faz passar por experiências e conhecer pessoas que mudam a perspectiva dela. Com o tempo, Josy vai precisar entender que corresponder às expectativas alheias é se colocar em um espaço de negação: é seu sofrimento pelo conforto dos outros.
Eu gostei muito dos breves momentos dessa HQ usados para resumir os sentimentos da personagem. É coisa de uma página, mas que consegue captar a essência do que ela tá vivendo. Alguns diálogos são bem fortes e nos fazem refletir.
Queria ter tido um pouco mais da história, conhecer a Josy melhor e um final mais longo. Um acontecimento abrupto me soou desnecessário, não curti como ele foi usado como catalisador dessas mudanças.
Apesar dos mixed feelings com o final (e minha impressão de que essa história não vai ser muito memorável pra mim), é uma HQ que vale a leitura para quem se interessar por ela.
"Sessenta primaveras no inverno" é a história de uma mulher que, ao completar 60 anos, deixa para trás seu marido e seus filhos para tentar viver pelo mundo e se encontrar.
Josy se sente bem culpada pelo o que fez e quer mais que tudo explicar pros filhos, mas nenhum tem espaço para ouvi-la. Por ter se anulado por tanto tempo, o que ela fez parece errado.
Até que essa nova vida a faz passar por experiências e conhecer pessoas que mudam a perspectiva dela. Com o tempo, Josy vai precisar entender que corresponder às expectativas alheias é se colocar em um espaço de negação: é seu sofrimento pelo conforto dos outros.
Eu gostei muito dos breves momentos dessa HQ usados para resumir os sentimentos da personagem. É coisa de uma página, mas que consegue captar a essência do que ela tá vivendo. Alguns diálogos são bem fortes e nos fazem refletir.
Queria ter tido um pouco mais da história, conhecer a Josy melhor e um final mais longo. Um acontecimento abrupto me soou desnecessário, não curti como ele foi usado como catalisador dessas mudanças.
Apesar dos mixed feelings com o final (e minha impressão de que essa história não vai ser muito memorável pra mim), é uma HQ que vale a leitura para quem se interessar por ela.
June 26, 2022
★ 3.0 Stars ★
English title: Sixty Years In Winter
This graphic novel, follows Josy, who on her 60'th birthday, leaves her husband, home and family behind, to go live in a minibus in an abandoned parking lot. It's a story about self-discovery and realizing that while making others happy is a good thing, it shouldn't be at the cost of your own happiness.
Spoilery review!
This was a five star book for me, almost right until the end. But the end was very frustrating and abrupt, so I won't be buying or reading this again.
As you can see I've tagged this as an LGBT book - and I was thrilled when that part of the story started. A story of a 60 year old woman, who after 35 year of marriage, finds out that she's actually into women, is a beautiful thing to witness. However, this book went from being incredible, to being just another BYG-story. If I had known that was coming I wouldn't have read it, simple as that. After that, the big conflict/problem is solved in three pages after which it ends. So having gone from being a tender story, that took its' time with its' story, to just being immediately over was quite a change of pace.
The artwork was beautiful.
English title: Sixty Years In Winter
This graphic novel, follows Josy, who on her 60'th birthday, leaves her husband, home and family behind, to go live in a minibus in an abandoned parking lot. It's a story about self-discovery and realizing that while making others happy is a good thing, it shouldn't be at the cost of your own happiness.
Spoilery review!
This was a five star book for me, almost right until the end. But the end was very frustrating and abrupt, so I won't be buying or reading this again.
As you can see I've tagged this as an LGBT book - and I was thrilled when that part of the story started. A story of a 60 year old woman, who after 35 year of marriage, finds out that she's actually into women, is a beautiful thing to witness. However, this book went from being incredible, to being just another BYG-story. If I had known that was coming I wouldn't have read it, simple as that. After that, the big conflict/problem is solved in three pages after which it ends. So having gone from being a tender story, that took its' time with its' story, to just being immediately over was quite a change of pace.
The artwork was beautiful.
June 7, 2022
L'histoire de Josy et Christine m'a profondément touchée. Non seulement il est bien dessiné, mais il raconte aussi une histoire particulièrement réelle qui m'a également laissé beaucoup de tristesse. Parfois, je me demande s'il y a jamais eu quelqu'un de vraiment libre dans ce monde et s'il n'a jamais été considéré, au final, comme un simple fou.
La storia di Josy e di Christine mi ha colpito profondamente. Non solo é ben disegnata ma racconta anche di una storia particolarmente reale e che mi ha lasciato anche un sacco di tristezza. A volte mi chiedo se ci sia mai stato qualcuno veramente libero in questo mondo e se non sia mai stato poi, alla fine, considerato soltanto un pazzo.
J'ai reçu de l'éditeur une copie digitale gratuite de ce livre en échange d'une critique honnête.
La storia di Josy e di Christine mi ha colpito profondamente. Non solo é ben disegnata ma racconta anche di una storia particolarmente reale e che mi ha lasciato anche un sacco di tristezza. A volte mi chiedo se ci sia mai stato qualcuno veramente libero in questo mondo e se non sia mai stato poi, alla fine, considerato soltanto un pazzo.
J'ai reçu de l'éditeur une copie digitale gratuite de ce livre en échange d'une critique honnête.
May 22, 2024
Aimée de Jongh returns, and this time she’s not alone at the helm.
There is much to unpack here.
The premise is: Sixty-year-old Josy, unhappy in her marriage for a long time, decides to break free from her old life and start anew.
However, this decision is not as easy as it seems. It sets off a ripple effect of events that challenge our understanding of humanity.
This is a captivating story about the pursuit of happiness and the obstacles that come with it. It also serves as a powerful lesson in seizing every good opportunity without hesitation, as second chances are not guaranteed.
I highly recommend this book; it’s one of the best I’ve read this year.
There is much to unpack here.
The premise is: Sixty-year-old Josy, unhappy in her marriage for a long time, decides to break free from her old life and start anew.
However, this decision is not as easy as it seems. It sets off a ripple effect of events that challenge our understanding of humanity.
This is a captivating story about the pursuit of happiness and the obstacles that come with it. It also serves as a powerful lesson in seizing every good opportunity without hesitation, as second chances are not guaranteed.
I highly recommend this book; it’s one of the best I’ve read this year.
June 23, 2022
“On her 60th birthday, Josy refuses to blow out the candles on her cake. Her suitcase is ready. She has made a decision: to leave her husband and home to regain her freedom by leaving with her old VW van! Her family, at first shocked, will not stop blaming her for this choice that they all consider selfish. Fortunately, Josy will stand her ground, finding in the CVL ("Club des Vilaines Libérées") friends with similar destinies and facing the same societal incomprehension... But will it be enough for her to assume her thirst for a new start? And that she might even consider a change of sexual orientation? Yes, if love is involved. Or not...”
Sixty Years in Winter (I read the English translation) by Ingrid Chabber (script) and Aimée de Jongh (Art). I love Aimée’s art so this was an obvious read. Her soft pastels and expressive faces form a perfect match with Chabbert’s moving story. I highly recommend.
"When old husbands leave their wives, we understand them, we find excuses for them. But when it's the women... We are the witches who crush hearts and break families."
f/f
5 Stars
Sixty Years in Winter (I read the English translation) by Ingrid Chabber (script) and Aimée de Jongh (Art). I love Aimée’s art so this was an obvious read. Her soft pastels and expressive faces form a perfect match with Chabbert’s moving story. I highly recommend.
"When old husbands leave their wives, we understand them, we find excuses for them. But when it's the women... We are the witches who crush hearts and break families."
f/f
5 Stars
February 14, 2023
« Je pars. »
j'ai le cœur brisé.
Josy est à bout. Josy décide de partir, le jour de ses soixante ans. Josy choisit de vivre.
et je me pose une question : comment est-il possible que je m'identifie autant à une femme qui a vécu presque une vie alors que je commence à peine la mienne ?
Soixante printemps en hiver est une BD poignante, profondément réaliste et belle. des dessins et une palette de couleur sublimes, une histoire importante, des personnages géniaux.
c'est vrai, je n'en ressors pas idem de cette lecture. j'ai versé plus d'une larme mais c'était fort et tellement beau.
(on note la dédicace à Anne Loyer, qui elle aussi, m'avait tiré les larmes dans un de ses romans)
🕊️
j'ai le cœur brisé.
Josy est à bout. Josy décide de partir, le jour de ses soixante ans. Josy choisit de vivre.
et je me pose une question : comment est-il possible que je m'identifie autant à une femme qui a vécu presque une vie alors que je commence à peine la mienne ?
Soixante printemps en hiver est une BD poignante, profondément réaliste et belle. des dessins et une palette de couleur sublimes, une histoire importante, des personnages géniaux.
c'est vrai, je n'en ressors pas idem de cette lecture. j'ai versé plus d'une larme mais c'était fort et tellement beau.
(on note la dédicace à Anne Loyer, qui elle aussi, m'avait tiré les larmes dans un de ses romans)
🕊️
August 2, 2022
What if you just upped and left?
On Josy's 60th birthday, that's exactly what she does when she packs her bags and walks out on her family after 35 years of marriage. I loved her journey of self-discovery, unexpected friendships and a newfound romance.
Starting anew is by no means easy and this graphic novel perfectly captured Josy's feelings of guilt, frustration, fears and more. An unexpectedly heartwrenching and poignant read, it also touches on grief, loss and healing. The artwork is beautiful, while also fitting for the story's tone and themes.
A unique graphic novel that I really enjoyed overall!
Thank you to Europe Comics and Netgalley for an ARC of this book.
Favourite quotes:
✨ "When old husbands leave their wives, people get it, they come up with all sorts of excuses for them. But when old wives do it... we're witches who crush hearts and break up families."
✨ "Listen, if we could see the future, what would we do then? Would we live fully? Would we still cross bridges if we already knew what was on the other side?"
On Josy's 60th birthday, that's exactly what she does when she packs her bags and walks out on her family after 35 years of marriage. I loved her journey of self-discovery, unexpected friendships and a newfound romance.
Starting anew is by no means easy and this graphic novel perfectly captured Josy's feelings of guilt, frustration, fears and more. An unexpectedly heartwrenching and poignant read, it also touches on grief, loss and healing. The artwork is beautiful, while also fitting for the story's tone and themes.
A unique graphic novel that I really enjoyed overall!
Thank you to Europe Comics and Netgalley for an ARC of this book.
Favourite quotes:
✨ "When old husbands leave their wives, people get it, they come up with all sorts of excuses for them. But when old wives do it... we're witches who crush hearts and break up families."
✨ "Listen, if we could see the future, what would we do then? Would we live fully? Would we still cross bridges if we already knew what was on the other side?"
January 11, 2026
4.5
c'était un ascenseur émotionnel, j'ai beaucoup aimé, j'aurais encore plus aimé si ça avait été plus long pour que les relations des personnages soit plus approfondies !
c'était un ascenseur émotionnel, j'ai beaucoup aimé, j'aurais encore plus aimé si ça avait été plus long pour que les relations des personnages soit plus approfondies !
Read
September 24, 2022tuer le sidekick lesbien c'est so 2009
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 27, 2025
Colorimétrie magnifique mais venez on écrit des histoires lesbiennes heureuse un peu ?
July 9, 2022
-Disclaimer: I received this book for free through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.-
Emotional & unapologetic.
Josy is a character that refuses the narrative but has a hard time moving on to something new. I loved that the novel focuses on older people for a change.
The graphic novel could have used a couple more emotional scenes to make it feel more resolved. Or a follow-up would be even better! It would be great to get more backstory. Also, the artwork, expressions, and coloring are well done. All-in-all, this was much better than I thought it would be.
Emotional & unapologetic.
Josy is a character that refuses the narrative but has a hard time moving on to something new. I loved that the novel focuses on older people for a change.
The graphic novel could have used a couple more emotional scenes to make it feel more resolved. Or a follow-up would be even better! It would be great to get more backstory. Also, the artwork, expressions, and coloring are well done. All-in-all, this was much better than I thought it would be.
July 23, 2022
3.5 ★
Such a beautiful graphic novel, the illustration is so pretty, the concept is so good but I guess the story was not for me.
The protagonist of the story, Josy, packs her bag and decides to leave her family (her husband, adult children, grandchildren) on her sixtieth birthday in her volkswagen minibus, in order to gain her freedom again and starting a new life after being exhausted in her loveless marriage of 35 years. She later meets a single mother who introduces her to a group of women who had faced/is going through similar situation in life as Josy. She ends up finding a love interest, but still, something keeps holding her back.
The story brought tears into my eyes quite a few times. Josy's family made my blood boil sometimes, and the characters were beautifully made. I loved it when Josy found herself a romantic partner, it was so cute to read about them. Though what happened later shattered my heart into pieces. The artwork is brilliant and so pleasant to the eyes!
No matter how good the storyline is, I found it confusing at times. The intention behind leaving everything of the protagonist was not clear to me. And on some part, she seemed equally selfish as her family. But I guess that's what made her character so realistic because we all are flawed.
I would recommend this book to everyone, it’s a graphic novel and very easy to read. Though it’s not one of the best books, it is a lovely, bittersweet story and definitely a good one.
Thanks to NetGalley and Europe Comics for this eARC!
Such a beautiful graphic novel, the illustration is so pretty, the concept is so good but I guess the story was not for me.
The protagonist of the story, Josy, packs her bag and decides to leave her family (her husband, adult children, grandchildren) on her sixtieth birthday in her volkswagen minibus, in order to gain her freedom again and starting a new life after being exhausted in her loveless marriage of 35 years. She later meets a single mother who introduces her to a group of women who had faced/is going through similar situation in life as Josy. She ends up finding a love interest, but still, something keeps holding her back.
The story brought tears into my eyes quite a few times. Josy's family made my blood boil sometimes, and the characters were beautifully made. I loved it when Josy found herself a romantic partner, it was so cute to read about them. Though what happened later shattered my heart into pieces. The artwork is brilliant and so pleasant to the eyes!
No matter how good the storyline is, I found it confusing at times. The intention behind leaving everything of the protagonist was not clear to me. And on some part, she seemed equally selfish as her family. But I guess that's what made her character so realistic because we all are flawed.
I would recommend this book to everyone, it’s a graphic novel and very easy to read. Though it’s not one of the best books, it is a lovely, bittersweet story and definitely a good one.
Thanks to NetGalley and Europe Comics for this eARC!
January 20, 2023
With beautiful art work the book tells the story of a woman who changes everything on her 60th birthday. What starts as a spur of the moment decision turns out to be a much needed fresh perspective. Josy upsets her whole family when she suddenly leaves everything behind to look for something else. In the beginning she doesn’t know exactly what that something is, just that her marriage has grown stale and boring. When that something comes knocking on the door it sweeps her off her feet whilst her family is fighting against her decision with everything they’ve got.
Although a little predictable here and there, and something I’ve read variations on several times, the story is told with a lot of heart and honesty. The art work elevates the story and turns it into something more moving and better.
Although a little predictable here and there, and something I’ve read variations on several times, the story is told with a lot of heart and honesty. The art work elevates the story and turns it into something more moving and better.
May 24, 2022
Lesbian story that feels highly lesbophobic, j’écris ça à chaud mais là c’est trop, dites moi en quoi la mort de Christine sert l’histoire ????? La BD était géniale jusque là, magnifique illustrations mais punaise j’ai l’impression d’avoir perdu mon temps et 23€
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 26, 2025
Alors j’ai bien aimé même si j’ai eu du mal avec la temporalité j’avoue parce que par moment c’est ultra saccadé je trouve
Sinon on suit Josy, qui, le jour de ses 60 ans décide de tout quitter pour partir vivre une nouvelle vie dans un van et faire des rencontres marquantes etc
Ça parle beaucoup de l’émancipation des femmes, d’être maman solo mais aussi de cette différence de traitement et d’interprétation lorsque c’est une femme qui part du couple et non un homme, la société n’accepte pas de la même manière
Sinon on suit Josy, qui, le jour de ses 60 ans décide de tout quitter pour partir vivre une nouvelle vie dans un van et faire des rencontres marquantes etc
Ça parle beaucoup de l’émancipation des femmes, d’être maman solo mais aussi de cette différence de traitement et d’interprétation lorsque c’est une femme qui part du couple et non un homme, la société n’accepte pas de la même manière
July 13, 2022
while beautifully illustrated and tender at times, there was something that felt a little emotionally contrived about this one.
i'm fond of messy characters finding their own way through life and did initially really enjoy following josy who, on her 60th birthday, abruptly leaves her unfulfilling marriage and ventures out on her own in a volkswagon minibus. following her as she finds community with a group of older women who, like josy, left their husbands to find their own fulfilment in life was a joy and the romance she found along the way was lovely too... up until a point. without going into spoilery detail, i was not pleased with the turn things took and though i can understand what the author was aiming for, i didn't find it emotionally impactful. it left me feeling a little shortchanged, honestly.
another point i struggled with was how josy handles things with what felt to me to be a great lack of maturity, cutting her family off very abruptly and being extremely defensive (or outright avoiding discussion) when confronted. i'd really hoped for either more of an exploration of how she'd ended up feeling this was necessary or more of a reconciliation or at the very least some growth and communication from both josy and her family but this book just ended on what felt like a very unfulfilling note all around.
thank you to netgalley and europe comics for providing this digital review copy in exchange for an honest review
i'm fond of messy characters finding their own way through life and did initially really enjoy following josy who, on her 60th birthday, abruptly leaves her unfulfilling marriage and ventures out on her own in a volkswagon minibus. following her as she finds community with a group of older women who, like josy, left their husbands to find their own fulfilment in life was a joy and the romance she found along the way was lovely too... up until a point. without going into spoilery detail, i was not pleased with the turn things took and though i can understand what the author was aiming for, i didn't find it emotionally impactful. it left me feeling a little shortchanged, honestly.
another point i struggled with was how josy handles things with what felt to me to be a great lack of maturity, cutting her family off very abruptly and being extremely defensive (or outright avoiding discussion) when confronted. i'd really hoped for either more of an exploration of how she'd ended up feeling this was necessary or more of a reconciliation or at the very least some growth and communication from both josy and her family but this book just ended on what felt like a very unfulfilling note all around.
thank you to netgalley and europe comics for providing this digital review copy in exchange for an honest review
October 20, 2022
Histoire sympa, dessin sympa, bonne lecture.
Dommage qu'il y ait une mort qui ne devrait pas avoir eu lieu.
Dommage qu'il y ait une mort qui ne devrait pas avoir eu lieu.
August 30, 2022
Ingrid Chabbert, why do you have to hurt my feelings like that?!
Josy is turning 60 years old. Her husband, her children, her grandchildren are all gathered for lunch to celebrate her birthday. She joins them but something feels off and right when the cake is brought out, Josy doesn't blow out the candles... she gets up, picks up her suitcase, gets in her minivan and drives off leaving everything behind.
Her family doesn't understand what's going on and they keep bombarding her with texts and missed calls and fowl angry words that don't show any desire to truly understand why she left and what's going through her mind.
Josy, on the other hand, doesn't have all the answers: she knows she isn't happy and hasn't been for a long time, she knows she had to leave and be on her own and figure out her path.
She finds herself a lovely neighbour in the parking lot where she parks her minivan, she meets a group of women who got out of unhappy marriages and are rejoicing in their newfound freedom to be themselves... and there, Joy finds a new friend, a woman Joy feels like she's known her whole life.
I adored Ingrid Chabbert's Waves. I know she doesn't shy away from hard topics, from traumatic events that tragically uphold your whole life and perspective on life.
I was not expecting this graphic novel to take the turn it did but holy hell, did it strike me hard. I felt heartbroken for Josy, for her family who just wouldn't listen to her nor give a chance to explain, for losing happiness after finding it perhaps for the first time in her life at 60 years old.
I saw how hard it can be for a woman - for any human being, for that matter - to find your path, to find your happiness and to have the strenght to make hard choices, to finally think about yourself and what you want at such an old age.
I was in awe and I loved every single page and word of this.
Ingrid Chabbert did it again.
Josy is turning 60 years old. Her husband, her children, her grandchildren are all gathered for lunch to celebrate her birthday. She joins them but something feels off and right when the cake is brought out, Josy doesn't blow out the candles... she gets up, picks up her suitcase, gets in her minivan and drives off leaving everything behind.
Her family doesn't understand what's going on and they keep bombarding her with texts and missed calls and fowl angry words that don't show any desire to truly understand why she left and what's going through her mind.
Josy, on the other hand, doesn't have all the answers: she knows she isn't happy and hasn't been for a long time, she knows she had to leave and be on her own and figure out her path.
She finds herself a lovely neighbour in the parking lot where she parks her minivan, she meets a group of women who got out of unhappy marriages and are rejoicing in their newfound freedom to be themselves... and there, Joy finds a new friend, a woman Joy feels like she's known her whole life.
I adored Ingrid Chabbert's Waves. I know she doesn't shy away from hard topics, from traumatic events that tragically uphold your whole life and perspective on life.
I was not expecting this graphic novel to take the turn it did but holy hell, did it strike me hard. I felt heartbroken for Josy, for her family who just wouldn't listen to her nor give a chance to explain, for losing happiness after finding it perhaps for the first time in her life at 60 years old.
I saw how hard it can be for a woman - for any human being, for that matter - to find your path, to find your happiness and to have the strenght to make hard choices, to finally think about yourself and what you want at such an old age.
I was in awe and I loved every single page and word of this.
Ingrid Chabbert did it again.
February 3, 2025
First of all, the detailed and refined lines are.. of course, beautiful.
As for the subject and the story... I feel conflicted about it. Moreover, there isn’t a single right answer that applies to everyone. I respect and understand both those who leave and those who stay. Still, I find it worthwhile to share this quote from André Maurois's The Art of Living:
"Be persistent and balanced. I know that as soon as things go wrong, people tend to abandon everything, seeking to start over with another woman, new friends, or under different skies. Do not be tempted by this apparent ease. For most people, making the best of what they have is far better. Growing old and passing away among those they grew up with and fought alongside is a happy ending."
As for the subject and the story... I feel conflicted about it. Moreover, there isn’t a single right answer that applies to everyone. I respect and understand both those who leave and those who stay. Still, I find it worthwhile to share this quote from André Maurois's The Art of Living:
"Be persistent and balanced. I know that as soon as things go wrong, people tend to abandon everything, seeking to start over with another woman, new friends, or under different skies. Do not be tempted by this apparent ease. For most people, making the best of what they have is far better. Growing old and passing away among those they grew up with and fought alongside is a happy ending."
April 18, 2023
Josy, 60. yaş gününde, doğum günü pastasındaki mumu üflemekten vazgeçer ve eşinden, çocuklarından ayrı bir hayata yelken açar. 35 yıllık evliliğinin ardından vermiş olduğu bu karar özellikle çocukları tarafından çok sert bir tepkiyle karşılaşmasına neden olur. Minibüsüne atlar ve yeni insanlarla tanışmaya başlar. Camelia'nın onu benzer bir hayatı tercih etmiş olan arkadaşlarıyla tanıştırır. Mutsuz ilişkileri geride bırakan bu kişiler, Josy'ye özgürlüğün ve mutlu olma arayışının ne olduğunu tekrar hatırlatırlar. Ve bu değişim, ona tekrar aşkı tatmanın kapısını açacaktır.
Sixty Years In Winter, geriye dönseniz dahi, özgür olma ve kendini bulma arayışının insanın yakasını bırakmayacağını ve bu uğurda mücadele etmek gerektiğini öğütleyen bir metin.
Sixty Years In Winter, geriye dönseniz dahi, özgür olma ve kendini bulma arayışının insanın yakasını bırakmayacağını ve bu uğurda mücadele etmek gerektiğini öğütleyen bir metin.
July 19, 2022
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Sixty Years in Winter by Ingrid Chabbert and Aimée de Jongh is a hearwarming tale of found family and new beginnings. The story revolves around Josy, a gray-haired woman who has just turned 60. Abruptly, she decides to run away from her husband and adult children and live in her minivan. How will her former family react to her decision? Will she regret her decision? Or will she find new family and new love?
Overall, Sixty Years in Winter is a lovely graphic novel that will appeal to fans of Eat, Pray, Love. One highlight of this book is the unconventional main character. I don't want to spoil anything, so I can't be too specific, but I was definitely surprised by the main character. We don't often have protagonists like this in graphic novels. I did take off 1 star, because I don't often read realistic graphic novels like this. That's not the book's fault. I'm just explaining why it wasn't a 5 star read for me personally. If you're intrigued by the description, you can check out the book, which is available now!
Sixty Years in Winter by Ingrid Chabbert and Aimée de Jongh is a hearwarming tale of found family and new beginnings. The story revolves around Josy, a gray-haired woman who has just turned 60. Abruptly, she decides to run away from her husband and adult children and live in her minivan. How will her former family react to her decision? Will she regret her decision? Or will she find new family and new love?
Overall, Sixty Years in Winter is a lovely graphic novel that will appeal to fans of Eat, Pray, Love. One highlight of this book is the unconventional main character. I don't want to spoil anything, so I can't be too specific, but I was definitely surprised by the main character. We don't often have protagonists like this in graphic novels. I did take off 1 star, because I don't often read realistic graphic novels like this. That's not the book's fault. I'm just explaining why it wasn't a 5 star read for me personally. If you're intrigued by the description, you can check out the book, which is available now!
September 8, 2022
"It's never too late to find yourself and your true happiness!"
You probably have already listened to this popular sentence, but to know what it truly means, just reading this graphic novel.
Sixty Years in Winter ate my heart!
YES... It ate my heart like a starving little monster. It ripped emotions and feelings of me. It made me angry, sad and happy.
Just read guys, read.
-> 5 stars
You probably have already listened to this popular sentence, but to know what it truly means, just reading this graphic novel.
Sixty Years in Winter ate my heart!
YES... It ate my heart like a starving little monster. It ripped emotions and feelings of me. It made me angry, sad and happy.
Just read guys, read.
-> 5 stars
November 15, 2025
je me suis sentie à la fois à distance et à la fois bouleversée
je crois que j’ai trouvé la narration un peu mauvaise, comme si les dialogues n’étaient pas tout à fait réaliste, mais finalement ça ne m’a pas empêchée d’être touchée par la mort de son ex-amoureuse
je crois que j’ai trouvé la narration un peu mauvaise, comme si les dialogues n’étaient pas tout à fait réaliste, mais finalement ça ne m’a pas empêchée d’être touchée par la mort de son ex-amoureuse
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 25, 2022
This is such a good story about a woman Josy who become 60’s and wants to free herself because she’s in a loveless marriage and she is kinda estranged from her grown up children. She meets different ladies throughout the novel and the one Lady Luck she has on her tail is Catherine. However their love was complicated and pretty much things take a turn for Josy. It’s pretty sad in aspects but it is definitely one to check out yall!
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