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Miss Pas Touche #1-4
Miss Don't Touch Me
Combining both volumes of the bestselling series, these two tales take place in 1930s Paris. In the first story, the Butcher of the Dances” is on the prowl for young, loose women, and local dominatrix Agatha suddenly turns up dead. Everyone assumes it was suicide, but her sister Blanche is convinced that the Butcher is responsible. She decides to take matters into her own hands, and in her pursuit, she ends up hired into a luxury house of call-girls. She soon becomes adept at certain practices, but she does not lose sight of her ultimate goalto find her sister’s killer. In the second volume, Blanche works to sort out her dissolute mother’s life while falling in love with a secretly gay client. Suspenseful and spicy, these narratives feature visual details both beautiful and hideous, with descriptions and dialogue that are deceptive in their realism.
192 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 11, 2009
18 people are currently reading
811 people want to read
About the author
Hubert
87 books147 followersHubert Boulard de son vrai nom ; il naît à Saint Renan, Finistère, en 1971. À l’origine, il ne se destine pas à la Bande dessinée, mais aux Arts plastiques. Il entre aux Beaux-Arts, d’abord à Quimper, puis à Angers. C’est là qu’a lieu une rencontre déterminante : Yoann (Toto l’Ornithorynque, La Voleuse du Père Fauteuil...), qui se destine déjà à être auteur et est publié en Angleterre. C’est lui qui fait (re)découvrir la bande dessinée à Hubert et ce qui s’y passe alors, tant aux États-Unis (Miller, Sankievitz, Mac Kean, Mignola ...) qu’en France (Barbier, David B., Trondheim...). En 1994, Hubert passe son diplôme de fin d’étude avec des installations tendance conceptuelle. Une fois sorti, il se pose l’inévitable question : « Et maintenant ?» d’autant plus qu’il se sent de moins en moins attiré par le milieu de l’Art Contemporain et de plus en plus par l’écriture. Après un bref passage dans le graphisme, il commence à travailler comme coloriste (Ninie Rezergoude avec Yoann et Omond, éditions Delcourt en 1999). De nombreuses collaborations suivront (notamment avec Paul Gillon, Jason, David B, Tronchet, Philippe Berthet, Vink…). Il est actuellement le coloriste de la série Spirou, avec Yoann et Fabien Vehlmann. Parallèlement, en 2000, il signe ses premiers projets en tant que scénariste : Le Legs de l’Alchimiste avec Hervé Tanquerelle, paru chez Glénat (qui passe le relais à Benjamin Bachelier au tome 4) et Les Yeux verts avec Zanzim au dessin, aux éditions Carabas. En 2006, Hubert ait son entrée chez chez Poisson Pilote avec La Sirène des Pompiers, dessinée par Zanzim et Miss Pas Touche, réalisé avec les Kerascoët. Suivront en 2010 Bestioles, avec Ohm chez Dargaud, La Chair de l’araignée avec Marie Caillou chez Glénat et en 2011 Beauté avec les Kerascoët chez Dupuis. Hubert vit et travaille à Paris.
Texte et photo © Dargaud
Texte et photo © Dargaud
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 169 reviews
February 2, 2023
Another great book by the French duo. Set in a brothel around the late 19th century in Paris, a virgin chamber maid looks for work in a brothel to see if she can find the people responsible for the murder of her sister, that was considered a suicide by the police. 7 out of 12, Three Star read. I'm a presuming their work is originally written in French.
2015 read
2015 read
July 13, 2017
My reaction to this book is much more complicated than my reaction to Beauty, the second work produced by this pair.
Blanche is a fantastically complex woman and I loved her, incredibly; she's fierce, independent, determined. She's flawed - uptight and obsessive in ways that remind me of myself (her twiggy build reminds me of myself as well!). I enjoyed her struggle to get revenge for her sister's murder.
However... The entire scene with Prince Charming seemed blatantly out of place to me. Partially it bothered me that , but that is one of those character flaws. She's not some modern age activist. That's alright. But the entire sequence just - what was the point? What purpose did that entire plot arc serve? As far as I can tell, the answer is none. No purpose at all.
So I enjoyed it, but I would have enjoyed it much more if that final plot had been omitted, or was completely different. Anything different. Aliens land from Mars to see the great Miss Don't Touch Me, even.
Blanche is a fantastically complex woman and I loved her, incredibly; she's fierce, independent, determined. She's flawed - uptight and obsessive in ways that remind me of myself (her twiggy build reminds me of myself as well!). I enjoyed her struggle to get revenge for her sister's murder.
However... The entire scene with Prince Charming seemed blatantly out of place to me. Partially it bothered me that , but that is one of those character flaws. She's not some modern age activist. That's alright. But the entire sequence just - what was the point? What purpose did that entire plot arc serve? As far as I can tell, the answer is none. No purpose at all.
So I enjoyed it, but I would have enjoyed it much more if that final plot had been omitted, or was completely different. Anything different. Aliens land from Mars to see the great Miss Don't Touch Me, even.
May 8, 2023
Carino nel complesso ma molti passaggi non mi sono piaciuti. I personaggi sembrano variegati ma in fondo si somigliano un po' tutti.
February 6, 2015
This is the complete crime tale told with with plenty of color and flair set in Paris in the 1930's. The drawing style is very inviting and entertaining. The story is pretty fascinating, with murder and a bordello and everything underworld. The set up would seem to have been made for romantic comedy, as much of the tale is light enough, but there's plenty of serious and suspenseful action. Maybe it's the art that lightens up what could be a pretty sordid and scary story. The ending surprised me, and somewhat disappointed me, but given the context, the period, shouldn't have been unexpected. Hubert is an entertaining storyteller, for sure, as is his partner in visuals, Kerascoët.
January 7, 2018
Highly entertaining but nothing about the plot wowed me.
June 23, 2021
simultaneously feminist and not! love this illustration style I wanna devour every other book or comic drawn in it
February 5, 2017
4 stars for the first 2 books, 0 stars for... What. The. Fuck. Was. That. Who ever published that depressing shitty ending that makes no sense whatsoever? Are we even sure it's written by the same author? Blanche's love of her life gets lobotomy and her mama runs off with her money and clothes and then... nothing? Is this really the complete set?
October 29, 2021
Paris, 1930-an: Ada pembunuh bersiri yang gemar memburu, menyeksa dan membunuh kejam gadis-gadis yang keluar berseronok. Apabila kakak Blanche, Agatha dibunuh kerana berada di tempat yang salah pada masa yang salah, dan polis hanya menyifatkannya sebagai kejadian bunuh diri, Blanche mengambil keputusan untuk mencari sendiri pembunuh tersebut. Demi penyiasatannya, Blanche bekerja sebagai 'dominatrix' di sebuah rumah pelacuran dan mula menjadi tarikan sebagai dominatrix perawan di situ.
Dua bahagian pertama novel grafik ini saya rasakan cukup menarik — kisah penyiasatan Blanche yang sekaligus membawanya menyelami rahsia gelap di bordil tersebut, namun saya tidak nampak apa motifnya perlu diadakan dua bahagian terakhir kisah berkaitan Prince Charming.
Pengakhirannya langsung jadi 👎
Begitupun, selain dapat meninjau serba sedikit kehidupan wanita tunasusila di rumah pelacuran di Paris ketika itu, saya tertarik akan tema masyarakat yang disentuh oleh pengarang tentang kelas sosial, korupsi dalam politik dan kebobrokan moral golongan elit.
(Rupanya putera Wales yang kemudiannya menjadi raja England, Edward VII juga aktif melanggan pelacur di rumah pelacuran mewah, Le Chabanais.)
Semestinya hanya untuk pembaca matang.
Dua bahagian pertama novel grafik ini saya rasakan cukup menarik — kisah penyiasatan Blanche yang sekaligus membawanya menyelami rahsia gelap di bordil tersebut, namun saya tidak nampak apa motifnya perlu diadakan dua bahagian terakhir kisah berkaitan Prince Charming.
Pengakhirannya langsung jadi 👎
Begitupun, selain dapat meninjau serba sedikit kehidupan wanita tunasusila di rumah pelacuran di Paris ketika itu, saya tertarik akan tema masyarakat yang disentuh oleh pengarang tentang kelas sosial, korupsi dalam politik dan kebobrokan moral golongan elit.
(Rupanya putera Wales yang kemudiannya menjadi raja England, Edward VII juga aktif melanggan pelacur di rumah pelacuran mewah, Le Chabanais.)
Semestinya hanya untuk pembaca matang.
July 30, 2015
Maybe something has been lost in translation, but I didn't really get into the story. Blanche is way too impulsive, but that character flaw keeps the story moving, so it's forgivable. I was going to give the title three stars until the ending -- it was such a disappointment.
My advice is to read parts 1 and 2 then put the book down.
My advice is to read parts 1 and 2 then put the book down.
February 4, 2016
This is so, soo good. Really loved this one.
This was originally published in French as two separate volumes titled "The Butcher of the Dances" and "Prince Charming."
The first story is definitely the more gripping of the two. When Blanche's sister is murdered by The Butcher of the Dances - a serial killer who targets young women who go out dancing - and makes it look like suicide, she vows revenge. Her only clue is that the Butcher's last target was a prostitute who worked at the Pompadour, a high-scale brothel. She manages to get hired on and becomes the Pompadour's main attraction: Miss Don't Touch Me, a virgin dominatrix.
"The Dancing Butcher" is definitely the stronger of the two volumes. It's a tightly paced story of murder and revenge and while it's not completely surprising to find out who the culprit is, it was still a fast and wild ride to the reveal. Blanche is a great lead: she's headstrong, and while this doesn't always lead to the best decisions, it was still great to read about such a feisty heroine. The only thing that bothered me was
"Prince Charming" follows Blanche after the events of "The Butcher of the Dances". Still employed by the Pompadour (as she has nowhere else to go), she makes the acquaintance of Antoine, an enigmatic young man who asks for Blanche's services but never actually takes advantage of them. He's content to talk to her, buy her things and show her off to his friends and less-than-happy mother. This story does not have the Noir-crime element to it like "The Dancing Butcher", and it felt a little meandering to me at first, but the ending is a real gut-punch that ended up winning me over. Many reviewers seemed to dislike this story quite a bit, and while I didn't feel that way, I can totally see why: "The Butcher of the Dances" is a complete story, so a continuation felt a little odd; the stories have very different tones; and "The Butcher of the Dances" is definitely the stronger of the two.
The art in this collection is absolutely fabulous. I hadn't noticed that the artist was Kerascoet, but as soon as I opened the pages I recognized his distinctive style (I read Beautiful Darkness last year, another of his works which is also excellent). It's very European, with its seemingly simple line work and excellent colour palettes. Kerascoet's style has a softness and innocence to it that seems to contradict the subject matter of the plot, but the contrast actually highlights this grittiness in a satisfying way.
Very highly recommended. The only reason this got 4-stars instead of 5 was because, as I mentioned, the second story wasn't quite as good as the first, but this is a solid work.
This was originally published in French as two separate volumes titled "The Butcher of the Dances" and "Prince Charming."
The first story is definitely the more gripping of the two. When Blanche's sister is murdered by The Butcher of the Dances - a serial killer who targets young women who go out dancing - and makes it look like suicide, she vows revenge. Her only clue is that the Butcher's last target was a prostitute who worked at the Pompadour, a high-scale brothel. She manages to get hired on and becomes the Pompadour's main attraction: Miss Don't Touch Me, a virgin dominatrix.
"The Dancing Butcher" is definitely the stronger of the two volumes. It's a tightly paced story of murder and revenge and while it's not completely surprising to find out who the culprit is, it was still a fast and wild ride to the reveal. Blanche is a great lead: she's headstrong, and while this doesn't always lead to the best decisions, it was still great to read about such a feisty heroine. The only thing that bothered me was
"Prince Charming" follows Blanche after the events of "The Butcher of the Dances". Still employed by the Pompadour (as she has nowhere else to go), she makes the acquaintance of Antoine, an enigmatic young man who asks for Blanche's services but never actually takes advantage of them. He's content to talk to her, buy her things and show her off to his friends and less-than-happy mother. This story does not have the Noir-crime element to it like "The Dancing Butcher", and it felt a little meandering to me at first, but the ending is a real gut-punch that ended up winning me over. Many reviewers seemed to dislike this story quite a bit, and while I didn't feel that way, I can totally see why: "The Butcher of the Dances" is a complete story, so a continuation felt a little odd; the stories have very different tones; and "The Butcher of the Dances" is definitely the stronger of the two.
The art in this collection is absolutely fabulous. I hadn't noticed that the artist was Kerascoet, but as soon as I opened the pages I recognized his distinctive style (I read Beautiful Darkness last year, another of his works which is also excellent). It's very European, with its seemingly simple line work and excellent colour palettes. Kerascoet's style has a softness and innocence to it that seems to contradict the subject matter of the plot, but the contrast actually highlights this grittiness in a satisfying way.
Very highly recommended. The only reason this got 4-stars instead of 5 was because, as I mentioned, the second story wasn't quite as good as the first, but this is a solid work.
August 28, 2022
This collected graphic novel is translated from the French, and is not one for the kiddos.
This is a murder mystery set in 1930s Paris, and honestly the less you know going in the better. Be warned that there's lots of scantily clad bodies, sex, and murder, so if not your cuppa give it a pass.
I was carried along for the ride, and would love to see a good adaptation.
This is a murder mystery set in 1930s Paris, and honestly the less you know going in the better. Be warned that there's lots of scantily clad bodies, sex, and murder, so if not your cuppa give it a pass.
I was carried along for the ride, and would love to see a good adaptation.
January 26, 2015
Warum hat mir "Fräulein Rühr-mich-nicht-an" nur so gut gefallen?
Wenn ich über den Inhalt nachdenke, fallen mir viele Kritikpunkte und Unzulänglichkeiten ein, und doch hat das Buch einen ungeheuren Charme, der es zum echten "page turner" macht.
Im Paris der 1930er Jahre werden mehrere junge Frauen ermordet am Ufer der Marne aufgefunden. Da sie zuvor Tanzveranstaltungen in den Vororten besucht hatten, geht das Gerücht vom "Butcher of the Dances" um. Doch dann wird Blanche, die jungfräuliche Heldin, Zeuge, wie im leerstehenden Haus nebenan eine Frauenleiche abgelegt wird. Sie berichtet ihrer Schwester davon, die daraufhin durch den verräterischen Mauerspalt hindurch erschossen wird. Blanche, mittel- und obdachlos will sich als Zimmermädchen verdingen, findet stattdessen aber Zuflucht in einem Pariser Luxusbordell, wo sie als "Miss Don't Touch Me" ihre Jungfräulichkeit als Domina erhalten kann.
(Blanches "Bewerbungsgespräch" bei der Puffmutter)
Und bald stellt sich heraus, dass die Morde des "Butchers" in einer Beziehung zum Etablissement stehen, in dem Blanche nun lebt und arbeitet.
Da kommt schon einiges an Zufall zusammen, und allzu kritisch darf man die Handlung nicht hinterfragen. Zwar werden die Eífersüchteleien und Spannungen der Prostituierten untereinander beschrieben, aber insgesamt hat die Handlung nichts Schmieriges oder grob Anstössiges - und das, obwohl es um Prostitution und S&M geht.
Um nun aber auf unsere kleine Heldin zurück zu kommen: sie wird nicht nur der Star des Bordells, deren Stern bald über der gesamten feinen Gesellschaft von Paris leuchtet, sie will auch den Mörder ihrer Schwester zur Strecke bringen und zeigt sich dabei erstaunlich willensstark und wenig zimperlich.
Den ganz besonderen Charme allerdings macht ihre kindliche Naivität aus, die in denkbar größtem Kontrast zu ihrem Arbeitsumfeld steht.
Die Kriminalhandlung ist nach den beiden ersten der vier Teile abgeschlossen und in der zweiten Hälfte geht es um den Wunsch vieler Nutten: Mr. Right zu finden ("Pretty Woman", man erinnere sich). Erst scheint es, dass Blanche riesigen Glück hat, aber auch hier läuft es keineswegs so, wie Blanche es sich wünscht. Ihre trunksüchtige sexbesessene Mutter und der Galan, der sich als homoerotisch entpuppt, machen ihr das Leben schwer.
Dass unsere tapfere Blanche dies alles in jeder Hinsicht unbeschadet übersteht, ist bemerkenswert. Eine Jugendlektüre ist die Graphic Novel deswegen trotzdem noch lange nicht.
Ein Zeit- & Sittengemälde, eine interessante Heroine und bestechende Artwork haben mich dazu gebracht, das Buch zu verschlingen, trotz der vielen kleinen Unzulänglichkeiten.
Wenn ich über den Inhalt nachdenke, fallen mir viele Kritikpunkte und Unzulänglichkeiten ein, und doch hat das Buch einen ungeheuren Charme, der es zum echten "page turner" macht.
Im Paris der 1930er Jahre werden mehrere junge Frauen ermordet am Ufer der Marne aufgefunden. Da sie zuvor Tanzveranstaltungen in den Vororten besucht hatten, geht das Gerücht vom "Butcher of the Dances" um. Doch dann wird Blanche, die jungfräuliche Heldin, Zeuge, wie im leerstehenden Haus nebenan eine Frauenleiche abgelegt wird. Sie berichtet ihrer Schwester davon, die daraufhin durch den verräterischen Mauerspalt hindurch erschossen wird. Blanche, mittel- und obdachlos will sich als Zimmermädchen verdingen, findet stattdessen aber Zuflucht in einem Pariser Luxusbordell, wo sie als "Miss Don't Touch Me" ihre Jungfräulichkeit als Domina erhalten kann.
(Blanches "Bewerbungsgespräch" bei der Puffmutter)
Und bald stellt sich heraus, dass die Morde des "Butchers" in einer Beziehung zum Etablissement stehen, in dem Blanche nun lebt und arbeitet.
Da kommt schon einiges an Zufall zusammen, und allzu kritisch darf man die Handlung nicht hinterfragen. Zwar werden die Eífersüchteleien und Spannungen der Prostituierten untereinander beschrieben, aber insgesamt hat die Handlung nichts Schmieriges oder grob Anstössiges - und das, obwohl es um Prostitution und S&M geht.
Um nun aber auf unsere kleine Heldin zurück zu kommen: sie wird nicht nur der Star des Bordells, deren Stern bald über der gesamten feinen Gesellschaft von Paris leuchtet, sie will auch den Mörder ihrer Schwester zur Strecke bringen und zeigt sich dabei erstaunlich willensstark und wenig zimperlich.
Den ganz besonderen Charme allerdings macht ihre kindliche Naivität aus, die in denkbar größtem Kontrast zu ihrem Arbeitsumfeld steht.
Die Kriminalhandlung ist nach den beiden ersten der vier Teile abgeschlossen und in der zweiten Hälfte geht es um den Wunsch vieler Nutten: Mr. Right zu finden ("Pretty Woman", man erinnere sich). Erst scheint es, dass Blanche riesigen Glück hat, aber auch hier läuft es keineswegs so, wie Blanche es sich wünscht. Ihre trunksüchtige sexbesessene Mutter und der Galan, der sich als homoerotisch entpuppt, machen ihr das Leben schwer.
Dass unsere tapfere Blanche dies alles in jeder Hinsicht unbeschadet übersteht, ist bemerkenswert. Eine Jugendlektüre ist die Graphic Novel deswegen trotzdem noch lange nicht.
Ein Zeit- & Sittengemälde, eine interessante Heroine und bestechende Artwork haben mich dazu gebracht, das Buch zu verschlingen, trotz der vielen kleinen Unzulänglichkeiten.
January 28, 2019
Miss Don’t Touch Me was filled with a series of ridiculous events, but it was also such a fun read. After witnessing the murder of her sister, Blanche makes it her goal to find out the truth about the murders that have been happening in Paris and to also avenge her sister’s death.
After being let go of her current job, she joins a high end brothel as a dominatrix-type worker. This ends up being perfect for her since she does not actually want to perform any sexual acts and she finds out who has been behind the murders. A lot more happens within these pages, some being super ridiculous and not realistic, but if you can look past that, it was a very entertaining read. There were a few problematic-ish scenes within the book but the story does take place during the 1930s so that’s something to keep in mind. Obviously NSFW since there is some nudity within the book, but it’s not as inappropriate as you might think.
After being let go of her current job, she joins a high end brothel as a dominatrix-type worker. This ends up being perfect for her since she does not actually want to perform any sexual acts and she finds out who has been behind the murders. A lot more happens within these pages, some being super ridiculous and not realistic, but if you can look past that, it was a very entertaining read. There were a few problematic-ish scenes within the book but the story does take place during the 1930s so that’s something to keep in mind. Obviously NSFW since there is some nudity within the book, but it’s not as inappropriate as you might think.
December 6, 2022
Determined to solve her sister's murder, Blanche becomes a high-end prostitute who (luckily?) role-plays as a dominatrix who doesn't actually need to engage in sexual relations (much is made of her virginity). "How French!" you might be thinking, and yes, that is exactly right. Miss Don't Touch Me is one of those French graphic novels by a man that stars mostly lithe young ladies who are sexually active and/or partially clothed.
It's still a decent read, if a tad meandering. The murder is eventually solved after much investigation on Blanche's part (and the big reveal is surprisingly gruesome). Then the book shifts gears to a new narrative: Blanche falls under the spell of a wealthy young man who wishes to wine and dine and not touch her. "Oh, he's gay!" you might be thinking, and yes, that is exactly right. It takes forever to get to that big reveal, making the back half of Miss Don't Touch Me a much more dull affair.
It's still a decent read, if a tad meandering. The murder is eventually solved after much investigation on Blanche's part (and the big reveal is surprisingly gruesome). Then the book shifts gears to a new narrative: Blanche falls under the spell of a wealthy young man who wishes to wine and dine and not touch her. "Oh, he's gay!" you might be thinking, and yes, that is exactly right. It takes forever to get to that big reveal, making the back half of Miss Don't Touch Me a much more dull affair.
November 12, 2021
excuse me what the fuck
i would have liked this more if they took out the part where a gay man was forcibly lobotomized
also i have questions about the jo character, the whole book shouldve been about jo actually
i would have liked this more if they took out the part where a gay man was forcibly lobotomized
also i have questions about the jo character, the whole book shouldve been about jo actually
September 13, 2016
Loved the artwork and colours, Strong Female Characters(tm); stick with part one, part two is a bit garbled. Pretty good.
July 22, 2025
j’ai bien aimé l’histoire, mais la fin m’a déçu…
February 7, 2017
So...this was a strange graphic novel.
Miss Don't Touch Me is a French graphic novel about a young woman in 1930s Paris. The title is read like a name, Miss Don't-Touch-Me, as opposed to "Miss, don't touch me." Anyway, the Miss (Blanche) works as a maid with her sister. Blanche is an introverted homebody while her sister is much more social and goes out dancing most nights. Unfortunately, there is a serial killer on the loose who targets women. Blanche's sister is killed and Blanche is fired from her job because her employer doesn't want a scandal.
Blanche sets out to solve her sister's murder; the clues lead her to at a high-class brothel. In order to stay and investigate, she has to work there. That is how she becomes Miss Don't Touch Me, a virgin dominatrix. Blanche becomes wildly popular and one of the most sought-after girls. She makes a few friends, but also a few enemies along the way.
The Good: I don't think I've ever read a graphic novel that was originally in another language. The comic has an interesting story, isn't about superheroes, and also isn't filled with smut (although here are scenes of nudity and sexual debauchery). The art is fine, although limbs look a little wonky at times.
The Bad: Sometimes the translation isn't quite right. Also the last 1/2 of the comic gets very rushed. Scenes change very quickly and plot development happens off the pages and is referenced instead of shown.
An odd comic but I'm glad I read it. I don't know of any other French or other language graphic novels. The storyline does seem very "French" since it is all about love and life and debauchery.
Miss Don't Touch Me is a French graphic novel about a young woman in 1930s Paris. The title is read like a name, Miss Don't-Touch-Me, as opposed to "Miss, don't touch me." Anyway, the Miss (Blanche) works as a maid with her sister. Blanche is an introverted homebody while her sister is much more social and goes out dancing most nights. Unfortunately, there is a serial killer on the loose who targets women. Blanche's sister is killed and Blanche is fired from her job because her employer doesn't want a scandal.
Blanche sets out to solve her sister's murder; the clues lead her to at a high-class brothel. In order to stay and investigate, she has to work there. That is how she becomes Miss Don't Touch Me, a virgin dominatrix. Blanche becomes wildly popular and one of the most sought-after girls. She makes a few friends, but also a few enemies along the way.
The Good: I don't think I've ever read a graphic novel that was originally in another language. The comic has an interesting story, isn't about superheroes, and also isn't filled with smut (although here are scenes of nudity and sexual debauchery). The art is fine, although limbs look a little wonky at times.
The Bad: Sometimes the translation isn't quite right. Also the last 1/2 of the comic gets very rushed. Scenes change very quickly and plot development happens off the pages and is referenced instead of shown.
An odd comic but I'm glad I read it. I don't know of any other French or other language graphic novels. The storyline does seem very "French" since it is all about love and life and debauchery.
September 3, 2015
To be honest, I liked the first part of this book, with the murder mystery, and Blanche fitting into the brothel while still remaining a virgin. but after that it kind of went downhill for me, and while the ending was believable I didn't really care for it or most of how the characters ended up. I'm giving this four and a half stars, because it's really was a well-written graphic novel and the art was interesting but the plot sort of goes south after the second volume.
December 4, 2015
Gruesome murders; passionate, jealous lesbian love affairs; perverted sado-masochistic sex; transgendered Josephine Baker lookalikes; the British royal family. And set in a nineteenth century Parisian brothel. In other words, everything that goodreads members love. Highly recommended.
January 4, 2020
Goed begin van het jaar: een van de mooiste strips die ik in tijden gelezen heb. Vooral de schitterende tekeningen.
Het verhaal is ook wel interessant. Het zijn eigenlijk twee verhalen, elk uitgesmeerd over twee albums. Die worden redelijk goed verteld, al wordt het thriller-gedeelte niet helemaal vakkundig uitgewerkt: aan het eind van elk verhaal moet telkens te veel van de plot worden uitgelegd. Daarbij maakt de scenarist de riskante stap om zijn hoofdpersoon aan het eind van het tweede verhaal stukken minder sympathiek te maken dan je als lezer eigenlijk zou willen. Dat is historisch misschien verantwoord, maar toch een beetje jammer wat de narratieve bevrediging betreft. Al zijn er vast ook liefhebbers van dit soort historisch-realistische wendingen; je zou kunnen zeggen dat Hubert zich afzet tegen de brave Hollywoodnorm van een suikerzoet happy end.
Hoe dan ook kan het de pret niet bederven, want die tekeningen... Wat zijn ze prachtig. Ik had al wat ander werk van Kerascoët gelezen dat uitbundiger en fantastischer is (Mooi duister, Satania). Maar het lijkt wel of me in deze pseudorealistische historische setting pas goed opvalt hoe knap zijn tekenwerk is. De sprezzatura ervan doet me soms een beetje denken aan Morris, al is zijn stijl uiteindelijk totaal anders.
Het is trouwens niet het tekenwerk alleen, maar ook het vertelwerk dat met die tekeningen wordt verricht, hoeveel die tekeningen soms zonder woorden kunnen vertellen. (Dat is natuurlijk ook een verdienste van de scenarist, die daarvoor de ruimte moet scheppen, en woordeloze scènes moet durven schrijven.) Hoe je louter aan de blik van een personage soms de gevoelens kunt aflezen: heel knap.
Ik wil erbij zeggen dat ik dit boek gelezen heb in de Kindle app, op een tablet. Ik weet niet of dat vloeken in de kerk is, maar ik vond het in dit geval juist een meerwaarde hebben boven een papieren boek: je zoomt in op elk plaatje afzonderlijk. Daardoor heb je misschien iets minder oog voor de paginacomposities, maar zie krijg je – kreeg ik althans – des te meer oog voor de fijne details in de tekeningen (die je eigenlijk nog iets groter voorgeschoteld dan de tekenaar ze waarschijnlijk had bedoeld). Het heeft mijn waardering voor die tekeningen alleen maar vergroot.
Om die reden heb ik ook de Engelse versie gelezen. (De Franse was niet op Kindle beschikbaar.) De vertaling leek me uitstekend.
Het verhaal is ook wel interessant. Het zijn eigenlijk twee verhalen, elk uitgesmeerd over twee albums. Die worden redelijk goed verteld, al wordt het thriller-gedeelte niet helemaal vakkundig uitgewerkt: aan het eind van elk verhaal moet telkens te veel van de plot worden uitgelegd. Daarbij maakt de scenarist de riskante stap om zijn hoofdpersoon aan het eind van het tweede verhaal stukken minder sympathiek te maken dan je als lezer eigenlijk zou willen. Dat is historisch misschien verantwoord, maar toch een beetje jammer wat de narratieve bevrediging betreft. Al zijn er vast ook liefhebbers van dit soort historisch-realistische wendingen; je zou kunnen zeggen dat Hubert zich afzet tegen de brave Hollywoodnorm van een suikerzoet happy end.
Hoe dan ook kan het de pret niet bederven, want die tekeningen... Wat zijn ze prachtig. Ik had al wat ander werk van Kerascoët gelezen dat uitbundiger en fantastischer is (Mooi duister, Satania). Maar het lijkt wel of me in deze pseudorealistische historische setting pas goed opvalt hoe knap zijn tekenwerk is. De sprezzatura ervan doet me soms een beetje denken aan Morris, al is zijn stijl uiteindelijk totaal anders.
Het is trouwens niet het tekenwerk alleen, maar ook het vertelwerk dat met die tekeningen wordt verricht, hoeveel die tekeningen soms zonder woorden kunnen vertellen. (Dat is natuurlijk ook een verdienste van de scenarist, die daarvoor de ruimte moet scheppen, en woordeloze scènes moet durven schrijven.) Hoe je louter aan de blik van een personage soms de gevoelens kunt aflezen: heel knap.
Ik wil erbij zeggen dat ik dit boek gelezen heb in de Kindle app, op een tablet. Ik weet niet of dat vloeken in de kerk is, maar ik vond het in dit geval juist een meerwaarde hebben boven een papieren boek: je zoomt in op elk plaatje afzonderlijk. Daardoor heb je misschien iets minder oog voor de paginacomposities, maar zie krijg je – kreeg ik althans – des te meer oog voor de fijne details in de tekeningen (die je eigenlijk nog iets groter voorgeschoteld dan de tekenaar ze waarschijnlijk had bedoeld). Het heeft mijn waardering voor die tekeningen alleen maar vergroot.
Om die reden heb ik ook de Engelse versie gelezen. (De Franse was niet op Kindle beschikbaar.) De vertaling leek me uitstekend.
January 30, 2024
3,5 stelle, forse 4, ci devo pensare un po'.
Il primo racconto è davvero bello, la storia dell'improvvisata detective e della sua nuova improbabile professione è coinvolgente.
Meno bella la seconda parte, con un finale che ti fa dire "non se lo merita", e con una Bianca meno credibile nei panni di action woman.
Il primo racconto è davvero bello, la storia dell'improvvisata detective e della sua nuova improbabile professione è coinvolgente.
Meno bella la seconda parte, con un finale che ti fa dire "non se lo merita", e con una Bianca meno credibile nei panni di action woman.
May 20, 2024
I read the first two parts about nine years ago and that the rest I read for the first time.
I feel that the beginning is stronger, that the latter story with Antoine is less cohesive. I was interested in that part of the story but the part that precedes it seemed more structured.
I also like the end.
I feel that the beginning is stronger, that the latter story with Antoine is less cohesive. I was interested in that part of the story but the part that precedes it seemed more structured.
I also like the end.
December 1, 2025
"Fattene una ragione, abbiamo più probabilità di incontrare il lupo cattivo che il principe azzurro."
December 31, 2014
In all honesty, I was a bit trepidatious going into this book as I knew it was going beyond my normal comfort zone due to the sex, nudity and risque topics. However, I was won over quite quickly and while some of the content did make me uncomfortable, it's a book I would rate mature as it doesn't quite cross over the line that would label it erotic. What we have here is an historical mystery taking place in 1930s Paris. A serial killer is at work and two sisters stumble upon the men plotting with one of them getting shot. The other sets out to find out who "The Butcher of the Dances" is and thus solving the murder of her sister. She ends up in a high class bordello as a dominatrix and retains her virtue in this position. While the book certainly has a lot of steamy, underworld, behind-closed-door themes and topics, it is at heart an intriguing and engrossing crime story with a peek at this historical period and how the oldest profession was carried on in France at that time. The art is simply fantastic and a pleasure to behold at all times, though I will admit to averting my eyes a few times from my own sense of modesty. Obviously not a book for everyone, but if the theme, topic or historical period are to your tastes, a very good graphical historical mystery.
February 11, 2016
Miss Don't Touch Me is how I would describe myself. Don't like to be touched and generally disdain the male sex, so my brother bought this graphic novel for me. And it was awesome! At least at first...
The first story, "The Butcher of the Dances" was excellent. An innocent girl stumbles upon a secret that gets her into trouble and she vows revenge on the monsters that ruined her life. That story kept your attention with nerve wrecking tension and plot twists. You didn't know whom to trust or what would happen. It was great. But the second story, "Prince Charming" was not as good. Our heroine, now complete in her mission for justice is seemingly in limbo. She has nothing to live for until some dude comes along and she fancies herself in love. But that of course is not what it seems.
The second part falls so flat you could almost forget what you love about the story and the art in the first place. It just kind of meanders about, trying to recapture the depth and the heroism of its first volume, but to no avail. I would recommend volume one to most everyone, but I would leave it at that. The second part is a pathetic attempt to continue a story that was already complete. Part one: 4.4/5 Part two: 2/5 Average: 3/5
The first story, "The Butcher of the Dances" was excellent. An innocent girl stumbles upon a secret that gets her into trouble and she vows revenge on the monsters that ruined her life. That story kept your attention with nerve wrecking tension and plot twists. You didn't know whom to trust or what would happen. It was great. But the second story, "Prince Charming" was not as good. Our heroine, now complete in her mission for justice is seemingly in limbo. She has nothing to live for until some dude comes along and she fancies herself in love. But that of course is not what it seems.
The second part falls so flat you could almost forget what you love about the story and the art in the first place. It just kind of meanders about, trying to recapture the depth and the heroism of its first volume, but to no avail. I would recommend volume one to most everyone, but I would leave it at that. The second part is a pathetic attempt to continue a story that was already complete. Part one: 4.4/5 Part two: 2/5 Average: 3/5
February 9, 2015
Lovely book! It's something of a melodrama, set in Jazz Age France. There's a slasher killing young women. A woman's sister is killed when she learns a secret. The mystery of her death and the slasher murders seems tied to a brothel, so she takes a job as a dominatrix. All that sounds more unsavory that it really is. Everything is very tastefully handled. The art style is lightly comic and fits the story well, sort of a cross between Jules Feiffer and Herge. The great Josephine Baker figures into the story as well. There are plenty of twists and turns and ups and downs throughout. This was a very fun read!
November 9, 2014
Here is the complete Miss Don't Touch Me series, and in one volume. The first half, what was essentially in book one, is the more successful. And while the second part, taking place after the mystery of Agatha's murder and involving "Prince Charming," may start off on a slight imbalance, it nonetheless ends as a equal with the first storyline. I have to say that Hubert doesn't shy away from dark or downbeat (and equivocal) endings.
February 2, 2015
Um, this was surprisingly awesome -- I was all, oh, French sex farce, it's going to be pointless and gross, but no, in fact it was suspenseful, a thoughtful vision of the pros and cons of bordello life (mostly cons, but moments of lightness), befriending by Josephine Baker, a strong and self-possessed titular character, just sexy enough without being like OOH BOOBS, and delightfully and precisely illustrated. I wish there were more!
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