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Quai d'Orsay #1-2
Quai d'Orsay. Chroniques Diplomatiques Intégrale
Dans les deux tomes de Quai d'Orsay, nous suivons Arthur, le nouveau conseiller en charge du langage du ministre Affaires étrangères, qui tente de se familiariser avec les mécanismes du pouvoir, les subtilités de la diplomatie et de la politique, et la personnalité singulière d'Alexandre Taillard de Vorms. Arthur, l'ensemble des conseillers et le directeur de cabinet essaient de garder le cap malgré le tourbillon des crises internationales et des coups de tête du ministre.
Cette intégrale à la couverture inédite réunit les tomes 1 et 2 de Quai d'Orsay (meilleur album du festival d'Angoulême en 2013) ; quand la BD explique la politique.
Cette intégrale à la couverture inédite réunit les tomes 1 et 2 de Quai d'Orsay (meilleur album du festival d'Angoulême en 2013) ; quand la BD explique la politique.
214 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2010
28 people are currently reading
720 people want to read
About the author
Christophe Blain
70 books115 followersChristophe Blain is a French comic book writer and artist.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
April 15, 2014
A clichéd phrase critics like to over-use when praising books is “tour de force” and, while it’s wholly appropriate for Weapons of Mass Diplomacy which is an exceptional comic, the “force” part is especially applicable with regards to the main figure in the story, Alexandre Taillard de Vorms - and not just because he’s sometimes depicted quite literally as Darth Vader!
De Vorms is the fictional representation of Dominique de Villepin, former French Prime Minister but, during the time the story takes place in the lead up to the invasion of Iraq in 2003, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs at the Quai d’Orsay. Our protagonist is Arthur Vlaminck, a young scholar hired as a speechwriter for de Vorms and Weapons of Mass Diplomacy (WMD) takes a behind-the-scenes look at how the Foreign Affairs office is run with particular emphasis on de Vorms’ personality.
A political satire these days will inevitably be put up against the enormously successful BBC TV series, The Thick of It, and while it feels similar in part, WMD is a much less farcical take. Both satires brilliantly reveal how chaotic things are like in the run up to an important speech at the United Nations, with the speech being punched up on cramped small planes and being printed off on the floors of massive hallways outside the auditorium. But whereas The Thick of It carries on its farcical tone into the speeches themselves, going for out and out comedy, WMD stops being overly silly once de Vorms gets in front of the cameras and the reader sees the chaos has manifested into a rational calm, appearing as if the Ministry had been nothing else the entire time. It’s less funny than The Thick of It but no less entertaining and helps make WMD a more distinct satire.
The writer’s name – Abel Lanzac – is a pseudonym for Antonin Baudry, whose experiences this book is based upon (and who is currently the French Cultural Counselor in New York), and who vividly brings to life what working in the Ministry was like. He spends long hours, well into the night after everyone has left, drafting speeches for the Minister, trying to get his voice right, working in de Vorms’ bizarre ideas and penchant for quotes by Heraclitus, only for the Minister to take the briefest of glances at it the next day and dismiss it outright – do it again! And again! And…
His social life disappears and his relationship with his girlfriend shrinks to snatched moments in between trips tailing the Minister and he often finds himself living out of his small office, chain-smoking while reading lengthy government reports and composing draft after draft of a speech, aware that it’ll likely be torn apart and have to be rewritten the following day. The stressful and demanding nature of the job is communicated very intensely and memorably in these sequences.
Besides the youthful Vlaminck is a wonderful supporting cast of colourful characters who’ve been in public services for years – from de Vorms’ trusted chief of staff, a calm and indispensably competent man with enormous knowledge and expertise in foreign affairs, to an increasingly stressed out advisor who at one point head-butts his desk in the middle of a meeting, to a beautiful but backstabbing female advisor. All create a vibrant atmosphere in the department but also underlines how dedicated and hard-working the staff are, contrary to public beliefs that the civil service is run by sponging layabouts.
By far the most memorable aspect of the book is the Minister himself, Alexandre Taillard de Vorms. Drawn by artist Christophe Blain in a delightfully cartoonish way in the tradition of satirical political cartoons, de Vorms appears as a wave of hair, a unibrow that doubles as his eyes, a massive phallic-like nose, and an imposing, hulk-ish body with broad shoulders and large hands he whirls around expressively and powerfully as he talks. As he walks he leaves wind trails in his wake and his appearances are preceded by the word DOOM! as if he were an actual force of nature.
De Vorms is an imposing figure both physically and personally, his machine-gun manner of speaking emphasised in his instructions to Vlaminck that his speeches should be structured one bullet point after another in quick succession – RAT-A-TAT-TAT! Baudry occasionally pokes fun at his former boss by alternately imagining him at times as Darth Vader, the legendary Minotaur of Greek myth, and, in one memorable sequence, as a celebrated figure in the future whose world owes its existence to his diplomatic efforts to avert, what he perceives will be the start of, World War 3.
It’s definitely a satirical take on the man but a very gentle and almost loving one as you get a strong sense that Baudry/Vlaminck genuinely does admire and enjoyed being with this highly energised, idealistic and intellectual man whose mission of peace and truth is nothing but laudable – though he is also undoubtedly a bit mad!
The book builds toward the imminent invasion of Khemed (the fictional Iraq) by the Americans and de Vorms’ extensive but ultimately futile efforts to divert what he believes will be the beginning of a devastating and costly war. Like renaming Iraq Khemed, numerous recognisable figures like Colin Powell and Silvio Berlusconi are all renamed though are easily recognisable – Berlusconi’s portrayal is especially funny.
Weapons of Mass Diplomacy is a stunning book. It’s a well-conceived memoir-esque story of life in high-level foreign politics at a turbulent time, executed masterfully by both Baudry and Blain whose talents elevate this fascinating story to the top tier of artistic successes. More than anything though is the character of Alexandre Taillard de Vorms who’ll stick with you long after you put the book down – he’s an unforgettable and brilliant figure. Easily one of the best books of the year, don’t miss Weapons of Mass Diplomacy!
De Vorms is the fictional representation of Dominique de Villepin, former French Prime Minister but, during the time the story takes place in the lead up to the invasion of Iraq in 2003, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs at the Quai d’Orsay. Our protagonist is Arthur Vlaminck, a young scholar hired as a speechwriter for de Vorms and Weapons of Mass Diplomacy (WMD) takes a behind-the-scenes look at how the Foreign Affairs office is run with particular emphasis on de Vorms’ personality.
A political satire these days will inevitably be put up against the enormously successful BBC TV series, The Thick of It, and while it feels similar in part, WMD is a much less farcical take. Both satires brilliantly reveal how chaotic things are like in the run up to an important speech at the United Nations, with the speech being punched up on cramped small planes and being printed off on the floors of massive hallways outside the auditorium. But whereas The Thick of It carries on its farcical tone into the speeches themselves, going for out and out comedy, WMD stops being overly silly once de Vorms gets in front of the cameras and the reader sees the chaos has manifested into a rational calm, appearing as if the Ministry had been nothing else the entire time. It’s less funny than The Thick of It but no less entertaining and helps make WMD a more distinct satire.
The writer’s name – Abel Lanzac – is a pseudonym for Antonin Baudry, whose experiences this book is based upon (and who is currently the French Cultural Counselor in New York), and who vividly brings to life what working in the Ministry was like. He spends long hours, well into the night after everyone has left, drafting speeches for the Minister, trying to get his voice right, working in de Vorms’ bizarre ideas and penchant for quotes by Heraclitus, only for the Minister to take the briefest of glances at it the next day and dismiss it outright – do it again! And again! And…
His social life disappears and his relationship with his girlfriend shrinks to snatched moments in between trips tailing the Minister and he often finds himself living out of his small office, chain-smoking while reading lengthy government reports and composing draft after draft of a speech, aware that it’ll likely be torn apart and have to be rewritten the following day. The stressful and demanding nature of the job is communicated very intensely and memorably in these sequences.
Besides the youthful Vlaminck is a wonderful supporting cast of colourful characters who’ve been in public services for years – from de Vorms’ trusted chief of staff, a calm and indispensably competent man with enormous knowledge and expertise in foreign affairs, to an increasingly stressed out advisor who at one point head-butts his desk in the middle of a meeting, to a beautiful but backstabbing female advisor. All create a vibrant atmosphere in the department but also underlines how dedicated and hard-working the staff are, contrary to public beliefs that the civil service is run by sponging layabouts.
By far the most memorable aspect of the book is the Minister himself, Alexandre Taillard de Vorms. Drawn by artist Christophe Blain in a delightfully cartoonish way in the tradition of satirical political cartoons, de Vorms appears as a wave of hair, a unibrow that doubles as his eyes, a massive phallic-like nose, and an imposing, hulk-ish body with broad shoulders and large hands he whirls around expressively and powerfully as he talks. As he walks he leaves wind trails in his wake and his appearances are preceded by the word DOOM! as if he were an actual force of nature.
De Vorms is an imposing figure both physically and personally, his machine-gun manner of speaking emphasised in his instructions to Vlaminck that his speeches should be structured one bullet point after another in quick succession – RAT-A-TAT-TAT! Baudry occasionally pokes fun at his former boss by alternately imagining him at times as Darth Vader, the legendary Minotaur of Greek myth, and, in one memorable sequence, as a celebrated figure in the future whose world owes its existence to his diplomatic efforts to avert, what he perceives will be the start of, World War 3.
It’s definitely a satirical take on the man but a very gentle and almost loving one as you get a strong sense that Baudry/Vlaminck genuinely does admire and enjoyed being with this highly energised, idealistic and intellectual man whose mission of peace and truth is nothing but laudable – though he is also undoubtedly a bit mad!
The book builds toward the imminent invasion of Khemed (the fictional Iraq) by the Americans and de Vorms’ extensive but ultimately futile efforts to divert what he believes will be the beginning of a devastating and costly war. Like renaming Iraq Khemed, numerous recognisable figures like Colin Powell and Silvio Berlusconi are all renamed though are easily recognisable – Berlusconi’s portrayal is especially funny.
Weapons of Mass Diplomacy is a stunning book. It’s a well-conceived memoir-esque story of life in high-level foreign politics at a turbulent time, executed masterfully by both Baudry and Blain whose talents elevate this fascinating story to the top tier of artistic successes. More than anything though is the character of Alexandre Taillard de Vorms who’ll stick with you long after you put the book down – he’s an unforgettable and brilliant figure. Easily one of the best books of the year, don’t miss Weapons of Mass Diplomacy!
February 6, 2024
A behind the scenes look at how international issues are negotiated and how (often) personality trumps knowledge. For centuries deals have been made behind closed doors; but the most disturbing manifestation of this is when democracies do this - then lie about it. This would be a great book to read if you are interested in international relations.
September 1, 2020
Kitabın atmosferi çok beğendim. Detaylar etkileyici.
Karakterlerin mizaçları/jest-mimikleri çizgilere muhteşem yansıtılmış.
Az çok da bürokratik/hiyerarşik bir yapı içerisinde çalışıyor iseniz, begenmemeniz/kendi işinizden yansımalar görüp gülümsememeniz mümkün değil.
Karakterlerin mizaçları/jest-mimikleri çizgilere muhteşem yansıtılmış.
Az çok da bürokratik/hiyerarşik bir yapı içerisinde çalışıyor iseniz, begenmemeniz/kendi işinizden yansımalar görüp gülümsememeniz mümkün değil.
August 15, 2014
This is too absurd not to be based on fact.
June 2, 2015
This book the cover announces is an "International bestseller" (outside of the U.S.), translated from the French into English and deserving of a huge reading here in my country, where it has sold less sensationally, I think. I wasn't led to read it by the title, which seemed initially too jokey. I wasn't expecting much and hadn't read anything about it, though I suspected it had to do with the little disaster we Norte Americans created in Iraq. The focus of the story is on a writer for the French Minister of Defense during the build-up to the second Iraq war, with all those lies to justify a trillion dollars of mass destruction. Only NOW are some of the Republicans vying for the Presidency admitting the war was a mistake, but unjustifiably respecting former President Bush (Molly Ivins called him "Shrub") in the process, though by implication they are finally throwing two of those war criminals Cheney and Rumsfeld under the bus. But as you might recall, France became vilified for standing up to the U.S. and refusing to buy Colin Powell's weak argument to the UN justifying the war. What was it like it France at that time? How did it come about?
A summary of the plot of this book can be found in Sam Quixote's fine review of a year ago, (which led me to read the book, and only NOW comes into my possession), where we learn from Sam that "the writer’s name – Abel Lanzac – is a pseudonym for Antonin Baudry, whose experiences this book is based upon (and who is currently the French Cultural Counselor in New York)," Lanzac depicting himself as Arthur Vlaminck, the main character, in the book. We get a close and sharply satirical look at the events of that time, from the French perspective, though everyone on all sides gets skewered, including Arthur, who because of the overwhelming nature of the job is also failing in his relationship with his girlfriend. The cast of characters in this essentially ridiculously sad tale are superbly drawn by Christophe Blaine in the tradition of cartoon political satire, with caricatures featuring long noses, etc, and broad humor, but the terrific dialogue leads you to believe that we are getting a very close sense of what it might have been like at that insane time in the office of the Minister of Defense.
In the end, the tale is even surprisingly moving as the right-wing Minister, a larger than life figure who actually gets depicted as Darth Vader at times in this story, makes one of the great speeches at the UN in refusing to allow France to get into the American-driven clown car of Mass Destruction. The US, who stopped calling Fries French at that time (ooh!! But we looked so ridiculous in the process...), should be lauded for their remarkable obstinacy in the face of international pressure. I certainly did then, and still do. A great moment in recent French history, told in comic fashion. Vlaminick/Lanzac/Baudry weeps during the speech he in part wrote, overwhelmed by pride in his Minister and his country. Bravo, I say, too.
I don't think comics have been ideal for history or biography, Maus being one exception, and a recent bio of Van Gogh by Stok as another, but this is a close look at a small period of time, a few weeks, seen from one fairly narrowly defined site, works for evoking a sense of the moment. I strongly recommend checking this one out.
A summary of the plot of this book can be found in Sam Quixote's fine review of a year ago, (which led me to read the book, and only NOW comes into my possession), where we learn from Sam that "the writer’s name – Abel Lanzac – is a pseudonym for Antonin Baudry, whose experiences this book is based upon (and who is currently the French Cultural Counselor in New York)," Lanzac depicting himself as Arthur Vlaminck, the main character, in the book. We get a close and sharply satirical look at the events of that time, from the French perspective, though everyone on all sides gets skewered, including Arthur, who because of the overwhelming nature of the job is also failing in his relationship with his girlfriend. The cast of characters in this essentially ridiculously sad tale are superbly drawn by Christophe Blaine in the tradition of cartoon political satire, with caricatures featuring long noses, etc, and broad humor, but the terrific dialogue leads you to believe that we are getting a very close sense of what it might have been like at that insane time in the office of the Minister of Defense.
In the end, the tale is even surprisingly moving as the right-wing Minister, a larger than life figure who actually gets depicted as Darth Vader at times in this story, makes one of the great speeches at the UN in refusing to allow France to get into the American-driven clown car of Mass Destruction. The US, who stopped calling Fries French at that time (ooh!! But we looked so ridiculous in the process...), should be lauded for their remarkable obstinacy in the face of international pressure. I certainly did then, and still do. A great moment in recent French history, told in comic fashion. Vlaminick/Lanzac/Baudry weeps during the speech he in part wrote, overwhelmed by pride in his Minister and his country. Bravo, I say, too.
I don't think comics have been ideal for history or biography, Maus being one exception, and a recent bio of Van Gogh by Stok as another, but this is a close look at a small period of time, a few weeks, seen from one fairly narrowly defined site, works for evoking a sense of the moment. I strongly recommend checking this one out.
May 7, 2016
If you’re looking for a serious, dry, fact-based investigation of how the U.S. ended up invading Iraq… this is not the book for you. If you’re interested in a (somewhat) fictionalized account of what it’s like to work in international politics when something like that is going down, though, this is perfect.
Lanzac was a French government employee working during the run-up to that invasion. In this graphic novel, he’s represented by Arthur Vlaminck, a young speechwriter hired into the French Foreign Minister’s office. His boss, Alexandre Taillard de Vorms, is indescribably bizarre. However, his boss may also be the best chance the world has for peace.
As a former government employee, activist, and politics junkie, I was fascinated by the depiction of how extremely flawed human beings can play such pivotal roles on the side of justice. Even if they don’t win, and even if their personal philosophies at times seem baffling or worse. My husband isn’t as interested in politics as I am (and he prefers a larger font!) but the ludicrous behavior of the Ministry’s staff, the humor, and the handfuls of geek references grabbed him.
Try this book, and you’ll never look at highlighters again without flinching.
Lanzac was a French government employee working during the run-up to that invasion. In this graphic novel, he’s represented by Arthur Vlaminck, a young speechwriter hired into the French Foreign Minister’s office. His boss, Alexandre Taillard de Vorms, is indescribably bizarre. However, his boss may also be the best chance the world has for peace.
As a former government employee, activist, and politics junkie, I was fascinated by the depiction of how extremely flawed human beings can play such pivotal roles on the side of justice. Even if they don’t win, and even if their personal philosophies at times seem baffling or worse. My husband isn’t as interested in politics as I am (and he prefers a larger font!) but the ludicrous behavior of the Ministry’s staff, the humor, and the handfuls of geek references grabbed him.
Try this book, and you’ll never look at highlighters again without flinching.
October 21, 2014
Not long before
The West Wing
started it television run I had left a job in a small policy unit advising a Cabinet Minister. I was alarmed at the extent to which I recognised conversations in that show – not their detail, but their tone, of trading ideas and pragmatic balancing of often contradictory interests of sectors of government ostensively all working to the same goal: I had forgotten that sense, that feeling of recognition until this marvellous ‘graphic novel’ (I just like to feel secure in my middle age, reading comic books).
Lanzac, aka French diplomat Antonin Baudry, takes us inside the world of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs as the build up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq is developing internationally; Blain drew, Lanzac/Baudry wrote. Here we find the minister, Alexandre Taillard de Vorms as a tour de force whose appearance in the room is marked by a Darth Vader-esque Dööm, and as a barely disguised Dominque de Villepin, negotiating the world of international relations, managing French interests and warding off the self-aggrandising aspirations of other ministries and trying to stymie the neo-cons rush to war. Using the arrival of a new speech writer, Arthur Vlaminck, as the way to tell the story, Lanzac and Blain let the events play out through Vlaminck’s more than slightly perturbed and perplexed vision.
We see Vlaminck writing to meet the Minister’s intentions only to find that as he was doing so, said Minister had another meeting resulting a profound change of tone; we see other advisors working hard to make sure Vlaminck gets their pet issue/spin on an issue into the speech; we see fundamental differences dressed up as matters of emphasis, and minor perspective changes as profound shifts and schisms. All in all, this is a scathing expose and critique of the realpolitik of diplomacy and government advisors' self-protection and self-interest advancement. In the end, we know what happens globally – what is presented here (in a refreshing counterpoint to the dominant Anglo-American narrative) as principle loses out to naked aggression – but more important is the seeming cost that Vlaminck pays in terms of his independence, social life and romance although not, it seems, principle (he does not seem to have many). In places, it reads like Borgen in a comic book, in others like a primer in government service.
All of which it seem very earnest and worthy, and in part it is – but it is peppered with Star Wars gags, Metallica lyrics and visually rich inter-textual moments all of which make it incisive and entertaining (and a little less earnest). Having worked in the world of ministerial advisors, I suspect I have read is slightly less cynically than others might. This is satire as it should be, and all the more powerful a critique of government (and close to the bone) for it.
Lanzac, aka French diplomat Antonin Baudry, takes us inside the world of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs as the build up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq is developing internationally; Blain drew, Lanzac/Baudry wrote. Here we find the minister, Alexandre Taillard de Vorms as a tour de force whose appearance in the room is marked by a Darth Vader-esque Dööm, and as a barely disguised Dominque de Villepin, negotiating the world of international relations, managing French interests and warding off the self-aggrandising aspirations of other ministries and trying to stymie the neo-cons rush to war. Using the arrival of a new speech writer, Arthur Vlaminck, as the way to tell the story, Lanzac and Blain let the events play out through Vlaminck’s more than slightly perturbed and perplexed vision.
We see Vlaminck writing to meet the Minister’s intentions only to find that as he was doing so, said Minister had another meeting resulting a profound change of tone; we see other advisors working hard to make sure Vlaminck gets their pet issue/spin on an issue into the speech; we see fundamental differences dressed up as matters of emphasis, and minor perspective changes as profound shifts and schisms. All in all, this is a scathing expose and critique of the realpolitik of diplomacy and government advisors' self-protection and self-interest advancement. In the end, we know what happens globally – what is presented here (in a refreshing counterpoint to the dominant Anglo-American narrative) as principle loses out to naked aggression – but more important is the seeming cost that Vlaminck pays in terms of his independence, social life and romance although not, it seems, principle (he does not seem to have many). In places, it reads like Borgen in a comic book, in others like a primer in government service.
All of which it seem very earnest and worthy, and in part it is – but it is peppered with Star Wars gags, Metallica lyrics and visually rich inter-textual moments all of which make it incisive and entertaining (and a little less earnest). Having worked in the world of ministerial advisors, I suspect I have read is slightly less cynically than others might. This is satire as it should be, and all the more powerful a critique of government (and close to the bone) for it.
July 5, 2016
Do you like politics? Doublespeak? A comic strip art style? This book is for you. Featuring the diligent protagonist Vlaminck who has to navigate the world of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a world ruled by PM Taillard, a larger than life character who dominates every scene he's in. The story draws parallels between the US invasion of Iraq and fictional Khemed and the tightrope French diplomats must walk while trying to maintain the balance of power and keep the peace in the world.
Apparently this work is translated, I honestly couldn't tell. The writing was slick and the references were universal so it didn't appear feel like a 'foreign' book to me, rather the POV was the only foreign thing about it.
I wholeheartedly recommend it.
Apparently this work is translated, I honestly couldn't tell. The writing was slick and the references were universal so it didn't appear feel like a 'foreign' book to me, rather the POV was the only foreign thing about it.
I wholeheartedly recommend it.
March 15, 2020
Baobab yine orjinal bir çizgi roman bulmuş. Siyasette yaşanan çalkantıları, yalanları, egoları ve oyunları güzel bir dilde aktaran, iyi kurgulanmış bir çizgi roman Hariciye Günlükleri.
August 5, 2017
Erinomainen!
February 17, 2017
Excellent political satire on how the French ministry of foreign affairs works. Set during the run-up to the Iraq conflict, though some names and places have been fictionalized it still feels like it captures the mechanics of international politics really well. In parts reads like a House of Cards kind of story, in parts like a "diplomatic version of Dilbert". Highly recommended for everyone thinking that graphic novels aren't real novels. 4.5
April 5, 2015
Among my favorite graphic novels, alongside Blankets, Habibi, and One Hundred Demons.
Probably the best-written narrative GN I've ever encountered. The dialogue was sharp, lifelike, and frequently hilarious.
Given that I hope to enter the realm of international law and diplomacy, it was especially relevant to me.
I've already put holds on all Lanzac/Blain's other work at the library.
Probably the best-written narrative GN I've ever encountered. The dialogue was sharp, lifelike, and frequently hilarious.
Given that I hope to enter the realm of international law and diplomacy, it was especially relevant to me.
I've already put holds on all Lanzac/Blain's other work at the library.
July 2, 2018
Thinly veiled fictional graphic novel about the lead-up to the first US invasion of Iraq, from the perspective of a young speechwriter for the French foreign minister. A witty insider look at diplomatic to-ing and fro-ing, all-nighters that still lead to one’s work product being tossed on a whim, jockeying for status among civil servants, and so on. In some ways, so many self-important tempests in teacups, but with very real and important consequences, in this case whether France would go to war.
Also, a notably male story, in a French way - there’s the protagonist’s long-suffering girlfriend, and there’s a single female senior civil servant whose main contribution seems to be to advocate for a ‘sensual’ approach to diplomacy.
Also, a notably male story, in a French way - there’s the protagonist’s long-suffering girlfriend, and there’s a single female senior civil servant whose main contribution seems to be to advocate for a ‘sensual’ approach to diplomacy.
March 29, 2024
Çizimlerini, renklendirmesini, kendine has panellemelerini ve özellikle de hikayesini ki gerçek hayata dayanıyor, çok beğendiğim muhteşem bir grafik roman. Baobab yayınevi de mükemmel basmış, yayınevinin krizden etkilenmediği daha doğru seçimler yaparak çok kaliteli çizgi roman bastığı zamanlar.
Baş karakterinin Fransa Dışişleri Bakanlığında Bakanın ekibinde işe girerek ordaki yaşananları birinci ağızdan anlattığı bu grafik roman aslında yazarın kendi hikayesinden yola çıkıyor. Atmosferi, diplomasiyi, karakterleri ve uluslararası ilişkileri ve dış politikayı hicvederek muhteşem aktarmış ve çizer de aynı harikuladelikle çizmiş. Herkesin okuması gereken tam bir başyapıt..
Baş karakterinin Fransa Dışişleri Bakanlığında Bakanın ekibinde işe girerek ordaki yaşananları birinci ağızdan anlattığı bu grafik roman aslında yazarın kendi hikayesinden yola çıkıyor. Atmosferi, diplomasiyi, karakterleri ve uluslararası ilişkileri ve dış politikayı hicvederek muhteşem aktarmış ve çizer de aynı harikuladelikle çizmiş. Herkesin okuması gereken tam bir başyapıt..
September 15, 2022
This is exactly my type of shit: extensive discussions on which exact word to use in a speech which will have no effect on real life whatsoever, but also just might alter the course of history. It's a wonderful insider look at international politics that never resorts to parody, but is also pretty hilarious on its own terms. I only wish it had a more definite ending - or that it continued for a few more books.
November 17, 2014
This was loads of fun! A farcical look at modern diplomacy, but with a strong ring of truth to it. The book reminds me in some ways of Stanley Kubrick's classic movie, Dr. Strangelove, Or How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Bomb. Despite the caricature-ish nature of the art, the characters feel real. This is an absolutely wonderful book, well worth your time.
December 18, 2014
Wow, this satirical, French graphic novel about a man who becomes a speech writer for a French minister in government was occasionally over my head, often very funny, and one of those books where the art perfectly matches the tone. Set in 2002 during the search for WMD. Reminds me of a cross between the TV shows Veep and West Wing. Great for your policy wonks.
Read
February 25, 2019The "Caricature" of the French foreign minister is great in a way only comics can do.
du9's review of the work is well written. http://www.du9.org/chronique/quai-d-o...
du9's review of the work is well written. http://www.du9.org/chronique/quai-d-o...
October 29, 2016
Najkrace - francuski "da ministre".
Malo duze - ne tako dobar
Malo duze - ne tako dobar
April 5, 2020
I could not find many graphic novels that have politics as their main focus point. This one was recommended by a lecturer of International Politics and it did not dissapoint. The book is a fictionised account of the events leading to the second Iraq War and Lanzac firsthandedly experienced those events as an advicer to the then French Foreign Minister in 2002. It is an interesting narrative of the inside workings of the bureaucratic structures in place of a foreign ministry. It offers us an insight of the daily problems and challenges Quai d'Orsay faces while global events are unfolding with even greater speed and urgency.
The WMD is also a comic tale of how individual personalities (whether it is the Foreign Minister, his advicer, or the decision making establishment) work together, compromise, assert themselves, or clash with each other to produce the final polished result we watch on press conferences or read on the newspapers. In academic circles the debate of the "unit vs structures" in foreign policy decision making has not been settled and this book gives us a glimpse of how powerful and assertive individuals (in our case it is the French Foreign Minister) at critical moments of world events can shape foreign policy.
At the same time, Lanzac and Blain are offering us a satirical touch of how bureaucracies work, how all consuming the lives of people involved can become, and how the whims of a few can affect the many. Overall, the book oscillates between philosophical references that date back to ancient Greek wisdoms and a geeky side of Star Wars lines, Lord of the Rings references, and Metallica lyrics.
The WMD is also a comic tale of how individual personalities (whether it is the Foreign Minister, his advicer, or the decision making establishment) work together, compromise, assert themselves, or clash with each other to produce the final polished result we watch on press conferences or read on the newspapers. In academic circles the debate of the "unit vs structures" in foreign policy decision making has not been settled and this book gives us a glimpse of how powerful and assertive individuals (in our case it is the French Foreign Minister) at critical moments of world events can shape foreign policy.
At the same time, Lanzac and Blain are offering us a satirical touch of how bureaucracies work, how all consuming the lives of people involved can become, and how the whims of a few can affect the many. Overall, the book oscillates between philosophical references that date back to ancient Greek wisdoms and a geeky side of Star Wars lines, Lord of the Rings references, and Metallica lyrics.
November 19, 2022
Ganz großer Wurf. Die Absurdität des politischen Tagesgeschäfts und des Jonglierens sich gegenseitig übertreffender Krisen werden (bild)witzig und elegant dargestellt. Die Figuren handeln gleichzeitig völlig überzeichnet und doch nachvollziehbar. Sehr lustige Elemente geben absolut heftigen Entscheidungen die Hand. Das Thema auf den letzten Seiten ist die UN-Resolution 1441 und der Einmarsch der USA in den Irak. Die Lügen Colin Powells und der Bush-Regierung, die Handlungsunfähigkeit der Weltgemeinschaft und die Verzweiflung der Menschen werden thematisiert. Ich habe wie immer bei diesem Thema ein paar Tränen vergossen.
Absolute Empfehlung.
Absolute Empfehlung.
February 8, 2018
This is a comic masterpiece; maybe the best francophone comic I have read up to now. I'm deeply interested in international politics; so this tongue-in-cheek insider piece is inherently interesting to me. But on top of that, how the whole book is constructed and the quality of the visual representation of the characters (particularly the larger-than-life French Foreign Minister Alexandre the Lord of Superficial concepts) are just overwhelming. I loved it and I also loved the fact that they didn't overdo it and turn it into an ongoing farce. A must read.
August 17, 2024
Not bad. Not bad at all.
January 14, 2025
Noch nie wurden gestikulierende Männer brillianter dargestellt.
August 4, 2015
What a fantastic book! This thinly fictionalized account of an insider's view of the French Foreign Ministry's reaction to the years following 9/11 and America's shaking up of the world stage handles potentially dark, controversial subject matter with humor, verve, and just the right amount of gravitas. The style and humor are decidedly French in a way that I can't quite describe--if you've studied French literature, you'll notice it. The writing can be a tad impenetrable at times, between the socio-political references and the literary/philosophical musings, but such things aren't critical to enjoying this portrait of "Alexandre Taillard de Vorms," an intensely difficult and brilliant man attempting to steer the raft of French foreign policy.
The art is completely charming in its expressivity. Big Gallic noses abound, rendering the two central characters--Taillard de Vorms and our protagonist, junior speechwriter Arthur Vlaminck--sweetly vulnerable. There's a lot of energy to figures' movements, especially evident in the Minister, who uses his body to punctuate his ideas and dominate a room--expertly rendered here in the shape of shoulders, the jut of jaws, open hands and closed fists and pointing fingers. The artist also uses visual metaphor to great effect, depicting minotaurs, labyrinths, dreamscapes, and more in ways that are both humorous and deeply appropriate to the mood of each scene.
Read this book.
The art is completely charming in its expressivity. Big Gallic noses abound, rendering the two central characters--Taillard de Vorms and our protagonist, junior speechwriter Arthur Vlaminck--sweetly vulnerable. There's a lot of energy to figures' movements, especially evident in the Minister, who uses his body to punctuate his ideas and dominate a room--expertly rendered here in the shape of shoulders, the jut of jaws, open hands and closed fists and pointing fingers. The artist also uses visual metaphor to great effect, depicting minotaurs, labyrinths, dreamscapes, and more in ways that are both humorous and deeply appropriate to the mood of each scene.
Read this book.
Read
January 13, 2015Political satire is not really my thing but I seem to be a sucker for French graphic novels in almost any form.
I loved the artwork in this. And I guess that the other thing I loved was the characterization – everybody so distinct and individual. I think my favorite was Claude, the quiet, harangued diplomat who actually got everything done, the effective shadow behind the prime minister Alexandre’s dizzying brightness. I loved little quirky aspects of the characterization, the way Alexandre zooms on and off the page. And I think my favorite part of the whole book was his description of how a Tintin comic progresses. Such a wonderful metaphor for politics; yet also, gently poking meta-fun at the genre in which this book itself is operating; and finally, providing a hugely clever visual illustration of how the genre works, self-consciously pointing the eye to the next panel and the lower panel and the following page through a series of illustrations that literally illustrate the metaphoric transitions.
Kind of difficult to do the experience justice in words. It’s a long, thick, heavy book and a big investment, but I really enjoyed the experience.
I loved the artwork in this. And I guess that the other thing I loved was the characterization – everybody so distinct and individual. I think my favorite was Claude, the quiet, harangued diplomat who actually got everything done, the effective shadow behind the prime minister Alexandre’s dizzying brightness. I loved little quirky aspects of the characterization, the way Alexandre zooms on and off the page. And I think my favorite part of the whole book was his description of how a Tintin comic progresses. Such a wonderful metaphor for politics; yet also, gently poking meta-fun at the genre in which this book itself is operating; and finally, providing a hugely clever visual illustration of how the genre works, self-consciously pointing the eye to the next panel and the lower panel and the following page through a series of illustrations that literally illustrate the metaphoric transitions.
Kind of difficult to do the experience justice in words. It’s a long, thick, heavy book and a big investment, but I really enjoyed the experience.
November 11, 2016
So I messed up. A friend said I absolutely HAD to read this book and I ordered it without realising it's translated from the French. So I read it in translation.
It was awesome regardless. It's a fly-on-the-wall account of the goings on in the French foreign ministry around the time leading up to the second Gulf War, the fly being the minister's speechwriter.
I'm reasonably confident that a lot of the stuff is verbatim. The sundry advisors and hangers-on, the minister's dad who wonders in uninvited, the inside jokes about NATO, how the minister went apoplectic when he had to fly with the Falcon rather than the Airbus, it's all far too good to be made up.
And of course the main idea is that France basically stumbled into its principled opposition to the war. Maybe that bit is a bit overdone, but we'll never know.
Even in translation, though, this is a comic book that had me rolling on the floor in laughter.
Now I'll wrap it up and mail it to my friend Nicos who used to be the speechwriter for the Greek finance minister. I bet he gets some serious deja vu.
It was awesome regardless. It's a fly-on-the-wall account of the goings on in the French foreign ministry around the time leading up to the second Gulf War, the fly being the minister's speechwriter.
I'm reasonably confident that a lot of the stuff is verbatim. The sundry advisors and hangers-on, the minister's dad who wonders in uninvited, the inside jokes about NATO, how the minister went apoplectic when he had to fly with the Falcon rather than the Airbus, it's all far too good to be made up.
And of course the main idea is that France basically stumbled into its principled opposition to the war. Maybe that bit is a bit overdone, but we'll never know.
Even in translation, though, this is a comic book that had me rolling on the floor in laughter.
Now I'll wrap it up and mail it to my friend Nicos who used to be the speechwriter for the Greek finance minister. I bet he gets some serious deja vu.
December 27, 2014
There's no mention of the British folly; no foolish, grinning Blair taking his kids to church Sunday, bombing other peoples' kids Monday - which I was a bit disappointed by - but what you do get is a very engaging, funny, sad, French world-perspective on a monumentally difficult time for international diplomacy.
All the crises and characters are set up as fictional, yet it is so completely clear this is about the real situation in Iraq and the hunt for WMD.
And if your thinking '...a comic book about diplomacy? Sounds awful,' then you probably haven't yet caught the wave of fearsome creative fun that is going on in graphic novels. If that's the case, this one surely provides a good place to start. You will be edified.
All the crises and characters are set up as fictional, yet it is so completely clear this is about the real situation in Iraq and the hunt for WMD.
And if your thinking '...a comic book about diplomacy? Sounds awful,' then you probably haven't yet caught the wave of fearsome creative fun that is going on in graphic novels. If that's the case, this one surely provides a good place to start. You will be edified.
March 22, 2015
This is the best comic that I've read forever. I checked it out from the library and ended up sitting in the grocery store parking lot reading it for over an hour.
Laugh-out-loud funny, brilliantly perceptive, and best of all, an important outsider's point of view on one of the most important, and depressing, events of our time. This is about the failed French attempt to prevent the invasion of Iraq, told from the point of view of the people who were there. It's so thinly fictionalized as to be transparent.
It is always amazing to see America from an outsider's point of view.
The art is stunningly good. The absolute apotheosis of this style of art. The way he draws hands is inspirational. He also does a really, really good job of drawing NYC.
Laugh-out-loud funny, brilliantly perceptive, and best of all, an important outsider's point of view on one of the most important, and depressing, events of our time. This is about the failed French attempt to prevent the invasion of Iraq, told from the point of view of the people who were there. It's so thinly fictionalized as to be transparent.
It is always amazing to see America from an outsider's point of view.
The art is stunningly good. The absolute apotheosis of this style of art. The way he draws hands is inspirational. He also does a really, really good job of drawing NYC.
May 7, 2020
Fevkaledenin fevkinde bir çizgi roman. Hikaye, diyaloglar, çizimler çok başarılı... Herkese, özellikle de uluslararası ilişkiler okuyanlara, çalışanlara hararetle öneririm. Genç Arthur Fransa Dışişleri Bakanlığı'nda, Bakanın ekibinde danışman olarak işe başlar ve kendini çok renkli bir dünyada bulur. Diplomasi, uluslararası krizler, toplantılar, iç ve dış çekişmeler, entrikalar, her şeyi çok bilenler... Her kafadan bir ses çıkarken ve yere göğe sığmayan egolar çarpışırken Bakan'ın konuşmalarını yazmaya, işini yapmaya çalışan zavallı bakan danışmanın halinin beni benden aldığını not etmeden geçemeyeceğim...
Yer yer Herakleitos’tan yapılan alıntılar ayrıca şahane... Misal “Bilgelik doğaya kulak vererek hakikatı söylemek ve doğru olanı yapmaktır.”
Yer yer Herakleitos’tan yapılan alıntılar ayrıca şahane... Misal “Bilgelik doğaya kulak vererek hakikatı söylemek ve doğru olanı yapmaktır.”
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