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Het Experiment
Zonder noemenswaardig gereedschap vestigt een man zich in 1903 in een eenzame vallei in het Ardennenwoud. En al snel voegen zich kameraadarbeiders, veroordeelden en anarchisten bij hem. Ze dromen allen van een betere wereld. Dat is het begin van L'Essai (Het Experiment), een anarchistische kolonie in de buurt van Aiglemont in het noorden van Frankrijk.
Een schitterend album van Nicolas Debon, geïnspireerd op een waargebeurd verhaal, een meeslepende getuigenis die nog steeds verbazingwekkend actueel is.
Een schitterend album van Nicolas Debon, geïnspireerd op een waargebeurd verhaal, een meeslepende getuigenis die nog steeds verbazingwekkend actueel is.
85 pages, Hardcover
First published May 7, 2015
4 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
About the author
Nicolas Debon
48 books5 followersNicolas Debon is a freelance illustrator in Versailles, France. In addition to his illustrations for the Warlord Series, he is also the author/illustrator of several other books, including two Canadian Governor Generalís Literary Award finalists.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
October 27, 2021
It was beautifully illustrated graphic comic. I enjoyed the ebook and thought it was very well done. Graphic comics are not usually my cup of tea but occasionally I will see one that talks to me. This book captured my attention truly from the gorgeous artwork that was depicted in every page. The Colony was based on a true story back in 1903-19I4 and I also appreciated the pictures of the real people that the story was based upon.
This was a very good story that needed to be told about social power and community status and injustice.
I want to thank the publisher "Europe Comics" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book and any thoughts and opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given a rating of 4 Captivating 🌟🌟🌟🌟 Stars!!
This was a very good story that needed to be told about social power and community status and injustice.
I want to thank the publisher "Europe Comics" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book and any thoughts and opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given a rating of 4 Captivating 🌟🌟🌟🌟 Stars!!
February 16, 2020
3,5/5. All along while reading I had a déjà-vu impression but I'm quite sure I never read it so that was weird. That being said, I really enjoy the art and the story too. It was slow, but it just fit the story, like it needed to be slow, so it was okay. Good one!
February 29, 2020
It's 1903, when French anarchist Fortuné Henry buys a small plot of land on the edge of the Ardennes, and starts his own anarchist commune, L'Essai. He starts alone, but quickly attracts others who share his ideas, and they start planting crops and building a house. This attracts even more people, journalists, artists, local villagers. As a reader, you are waiting for the moment things will go south, as it seems inevitable.
The book tells Henry's story in beautiful drawings (using chalk, I'm guessing), depicting nature and L'Essai in pastoral sunny colours, and urban scenes in more muted, harsh colours. The drawings tend to be zoomed out, making the characters look tiny in their natural surroundings, which gives the work a sense of epicness, while also emphasising how this is just a moment in time.
It does also means that characters aren't that well defined. The sparse text there is, reads as if taken from an anarchist manifesto (which it probably is). It can all feel a bit unemotional. When families start to leave the colony, we get to see them leave, but not any discussion surrounding it - at this point it is quite clear why anyone would leave, but that is just one example of a moment that could've been dramatised more.
It won't surprise anyone to hear the colony is no longer there, and the written biographical epilogue mentions how the site of L'Essai has returned to nature. I would've loved to have seen a drawing of the site as it is today, in the same style as the rest of the book.
All that said, it's a fascinating story, and the art alone makes it worth reading.
(Received an ARC through Netgalley)
The book tells Henry's story in beautiful drawings (using chalk, I'm guessing), depicting nature and L'Essai in pastoral sunny colours, and urban scenes in more muted, harsh colours. The drawings tend to be zoomed out, making the characters look tiny in their natural surroundings, which gives the work a sense of epicness, while also emphasising how this is just a moment in time.
It does also means that characters aren't that well defined. The sparse text there is, reads as if taken from an anarchist manifesto (which it probably is). It can all feel a bit unemotional. When families start to leave the colony, we get to see them leave, but not any discussion surrounding it - at this point it is quite clear why anyone would leave, but that is just one example of a moment that could've been dramatised more.
It won't surprise anyone to hear the colony is no longer there, and the written biographical epilogue mentions how the site of L'Essai has returned to nature. I would've loved to have seen a drawing of the site as it is today, in the same style as the rest of the book.
All that said, it's a fascinating story, and the art alone makes it worth reading.
(Received an ARC through Netgalley)
February 14, 2021
A true story about an experimental colony founded on the anarchist idea that authority is what destroys society. It seemed more like they worked themselves out of their ideals, and eventually somebody told someone else what to do and that's "authority" all over again, and it's fun to blow things up but in the end where does it get you? The story was a bit depressing, but a lot less so than the actual experience was, I imagine.
March 15, 2020
https://barharukiya.wordpress.com/202...
When we think of Anarchism in the world of comics (or graphic novels, whichever you prefer), we often turn to Alan Moore’s “V for Vendetta” and tales of attempts to overthrow those in power due to corruption, however, theres actually alot more to the ideals behind anarchism than explosions, aggression and sticking ones finger up at politicians and its this other side that Nicolas Debon tries to teach us as he tells of the true story of Fortune Henry and the colony of L’Essai he founded, for a brief period of time, in the early 1900’s before the world fell into chaos as the Great War fell upon us.
The book opens with a man taking ownership of a plot of land, thought to be inhabitable and unworkable, he begins to transform it. The locals treat him with suspicion, often talking of the devil or wild man in the woods. But before long a small handful of people begin to take an interest in what he is doing and ultimately join him, as the colony grows, the workload also increases, they build settlements, work the land and sell produce at local markets.
However, its not enough for Henry, he strives for change, people believe in what they feel he is trying to do and his ideals of breaking down social constructs, promoting communism (or socialism, though its definetly the former that he says he is trying to bring to fruition, even to the extent of his first born having “no known parents” on his birth certificate as he “belongs to the colony”). He sets up a printing press, first selling flyers to promote the colony and the ideals it was founded upon, though as ever with such things he begins to take ownership, of his responsibility within the colony and also of his partner, acting jealous when she is around other men and resorting to violence when she questions his motives.
As his message spreads, his views become more damaging to the establishment and he is ultimately imprisoned, once free he finds that, without him, L’Essai has fallen apart and the colonists have moved on.
At around 80 pages, this is a short tale, covering the basics, additional information about Fortune Henry is provided at the back of the book, but you’re given a sort of one sided, almost diary like telling of the foundation and falling of L’Essai, albeit told alongside some beautiful art work that looks hand-painted, the earthy tones used give the impression of the book being hand-crafted and fit in perfectly with both the tale being told and the time period it is taken from and Debon does a wonderful job of just allowing the story to work towards its natural end, picking the exact moments to tell, be it the work and turmoil the colonists go through as the seasons and years progress, or the emotional challenges Henry faces. We’re never forced to endure anything particularly long, instead being given a snippet of the tale of L’Essai told in simple panels, though when Debon does give us a full page panel its always a wonderful piece of art work.
That said, this isn’t for every one. I can easily see people wanting some real history feeling like there’s not enough here, likewise, there’s not alot of incident or action to speak of to excite, its not that kind of tale. But if you want to read something that tells a true story that you hadn’t known of, The Colony will fit that brief absolutely perfectly.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me the opportunity to read this.
When we think of Anarchism in the world of comics (or graphic novels, whichever you prefer), we often turn to Alan Moore’s “V for Vendetta” and tales of attempts to overthrow those in power due to corruption, however, theres actually alot more to the ideals behind anarchism than explosions, aggression and sticking ones finger up at politicians and its this other side that Nicolas Debon tries to teach us as he tells of the true story of Fortune Henry and the colony of L’Essai he founded, for a brief period of time, in the early 1900’s before the world fell into chaos as the Great War fell upon us.
The book opens with a man taking ownership of a plot of land, thought to be inhabitable and unworkable, he begins to transform it. The locals treat him with suspicion, often talking of the devil or wild man in the woods. But before long a small handful of people begin to take an interest in what he is doing and ultimately join him, as the colony grows, the workload also increases, they build settlements, work the land and sell produce at local markets.
However, its not enough for Henry, he strives for change, people believe in what they feel he is trying to do and his ideals of breaking down social constructs, promoting communism (or socialism, though its definetly the former that he says he is trying to bring to fruition, even to the extent of his first born having “no known parents” on his birth certificate as he “belongs to the colony”). He sets up a printing press, first selling flyers to promote the colony and the ideals it was founded upon, though as ever with such things he begins to take ownership, of his responsibility within the colony and also of his partner, acting jealous when she is around other men and resorting to violence when she questions his motives.
As his message spreads, his views become more damaging to the establishment and he is ultimately imprisoned, once free he finds that, without him, L’Essai has fallen apart and the colonists have moved on.
At around 80 pages, this is a short tale, covering the basics, additional information about Fortune Henry is provided at the back of the book, but you’re given a sort of one sided, almost diary like telling of the foundation and falling of L’Essai, albeit told alongside some beautiful art work that looks hand-painted, the earthy tones used give the impression of the book being hand-crafted and fit in perfectly with both the tale being told and the time period it is taken from and Debon does a wonderful job of just allowing the story to work towards its natural end, picking the exact moments to tell, be it the work and turmoil the colonists go through as the seasons and years progress, or the emotional challenges Henry faces. We’re never forced to endure anything particularly long, instead being given a snippet of the tale of L’Essai told in simple panels, though when Debon does give us a full page panel its always a wonderful piece of art work.
That said, this isn’t for every one. I can easily see people wanting some real history feeling like there’s not enough here, likewise, there’s not alot of incident or action to speak of to excite, its not that kind of tale. But if you want to read something that tells a true story that you hadn’t known of, The Colony will fit that brief absolutely perfectly.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me the opportunity to read this.
February 9, 2020
This fascinating graphic novel is based on a true story about a group of anarchists who set up a colony on the edge of the vast Ardennes Forest. Led by Fortuné Henry at the turn of the 20th century, the colonists seek to live in an alternative way where everyone is equal and power is shared.
Together they live in peace attracting others to join them. It takes hard work to farm and develop the land and to nurture a community but yet it seems as if this community has the answers to life.
I thought this was an excellent story of about a group of people who were determined to live in a just and equitable way. They faced many hardships and hard work, but they were generally happy. Over time battling the elements takes its toll on the community, but when Fortuné Henry is imprisoned the life of the colony begins to ebb.
The artwork is simple, but good and it conveys the story in a powerful way. I didn't know much about anarchism as a political philosophy before reading this and this was a perfectly enjoyable introduction.
Copy provided by Europe comics via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
Together they live in peace attracting others to join them. It takes hard work to farm and develop the land and to nurture a community but yet it seems as if this community has the answers to life.
I thought this was an excellent story of about a group of people who were determined to live in a just and equitable way. They faced many hardships and hard work, but they were generally happy. Over time battling the elements takes its toll on the community, but when Fortuné Henry is imprisoned the life of the colony begins to ebb.
The artwork is simple, but good and it conveys the story in a powerful way. I didn't know much about anarchism as a political philosophy before reading this and this was a perfectly enjoyable introduction.
Copy provided by Europe comics via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
March 1, 2020
I really enjoyed that artistry of this book and it's beautifully drawn, but the story didn't draw me in and I got bored.
August 23, 2020
Good art, interesting story but extremely poorly written...
July 15, 2020
This book is the portrait of a collective experience, an individual dream that comes true and becomes the reality of several people.
In the story, we follow the story (based on real facts) of the construction of a colony, from a meadow, until it became a village of free men and women.
In the course of history, we will see what challenges will be posed to these people and how they will deal with "the rest of the world".
The graphic image is so beautiful!
"When one man dreams alone, it is but a dream. When many dreams together, it is the beginning of a new reality"
* Digital version of the book received by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review *
In the story, we follow the story (based on real facts) of the construction of a colony, from a meadow, until it became a village of free men and women.
In the course of history, we will see what challenges will be posed to these people and how they will deal with "the rest of the world".
The graphic image is so beautiful!
"When one man dreams alone, it is but a dream. When many dreams together, it is the beginning of a new reality"
* Digital version of the book received by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review *
April 21, 2024
Nicolas Debon's The Colony is the story of the founding of L'Essai, an agrarian commune in the French Ardennes that would home to libertarians, anarchists, communists and a large batch of societal rejects. Started by Fortuné Henry, the commune was built as a social experiment of sorts, whereby the residents would have to recognize some of the trial-and-error approach towards cultivating a livable community. Henry proves himself to be an adept leader, flexible enough to accommodate the diverse needs of the residents but still rigid enough to cultivate some disillusionment amongst his companions. Debon's characterization of Henry isn't idyllic by any means though, rather the portrait of Fortuné Henry as presented here is one of a highly complex individual with conflicting desires. It's not comprehensive by any means - the story here only really focuses on a critical moment in Henry's life, but the lens into his handling of a tough juncture is descriptive enough to understand a lot about the man himself.
The artwork in The Colony is comprised of simple painted panels that make great use of light and shadows. The backdrop of L'Essai is charming in design, which adds towards understanding Fortuné Henry's desires to keep the community safe at all costs. The selection of oil pastels is deliberately muted to keep an earthy tone, with the sparing use of warm colors used only for depictions of the cool sky and lush and fertile green lands surrounding the commune. The natural lighting designs are top notch here, adding a lot towards demonstrating how integrated the people of L'Essai were to the nature around them.
Debon exercises a lot of restraint towards being prescriptive about anarcho-communist sentiments with respect towards politics and social issues, but it's clear that the book carries heavy messaging on the significance of understanding why communities like this could matter moving forward. There's a lot to think about in terms of understanding men like Fortuné Henry, and The Colony finds the simplest path towards connecting the reader to these heavier themes. Though one can easily find the detrimental aspects towards Henry's leadership, it's very clear that some of his ideas were sound and well worth considering beyond the exercise of a simple social experiment.
The artwork in The Colony is comprised of simple painted panels that make great use of light and shadows. The backdrop of L'Essai is charming in design, which adds towards understanding Fortuné Henry's desires to keep the community safe at all costs. The selection of oil pastels is deliberately muted to keep an earthy tone, with the sparing use of warm colors used only for depictions of the cool sky and lush and fertile green lands surrounding the commune. The natural lighting designs are top notch here, adding a lot towards demonstrating how integrated the people of L'Essai were to the nature around them.
Debon exercises a lot of restraint towards being prescriptive about anarcho-communist sentiments with respect towards politics and social issues, but it's clear that the book carries heavy messaging on the significance of understanding why communities like this could matter moving forward. There's a lot to think about in terms of understanding men like Fortuné Henry, and The Colony finds the simplest path towards connecting the reader to these heavier themes. Though one can easily find the detrimental aspects towards Henry's leadership, it's very clear that some of his ideas were sound and well worth considering beyond the exercise of a simple social experiment.
March 12, 2020
Honestly this was a really boring book and I couldn’t wait until it ended. I loved the art style though, especially the nature images
Trigger warnings:
Violence
Abuse
Riots
Trigger warnings:
Violence
Abuse
Riots
February 22, 2020
Europe Comics have done it again, published a compelling graphic novel and brought history alive for me and given me insight into something I had no prior knowledge of or even heard about.
From the comic book:
“In 1903, a man with a few tools stopped in a solitary valley in the Ardennes Forest, France. Soon, he would be joined by worker comrades, ex-convicts and libertarians, all following the same dream: to build a better world. It was the start of the colony named L’Essai.”
“With THE COLONY, Nichols Devon has produced a magnificent tribute to a true story, a moving testimony that remains troubling topical.”
The drawing and the wide sky illustrations are a great addition to the story and is all the better for being set into this comic book presentation. I really enjoyed reading of a real-life adventure and ambitious attempt to bring communism into being by actions as well as words. Fortuné Henry the founder of the colony is the narrator. He was a known anarchist and used a friend’s name to buy the land. Many similar ventures have existed in history, orders of friars and monks, communes and kibbutz but here was a stepping back from violent struggle to create social organisation a model for society where there was no division due to class, sex, status or wealth. All worked together and ate together as a living organism. But like dividing cells each would bring their own skills and expertise for the good of the whole body of the colony.
I truly found the reading experience fascinating; in some respects, you wanted to see these people thrive and expand. But the difficulties are shared and the problems they overcame inspire. Perhaps a vision which was so pure and needed charismatic elders to stir it forward shows why societies often break down. We fail when we label certain ventures as failures without noting what was good and could be improved on for the benefit of all. Rather we tend to dismiss and mistrust ideologies and behaviours we don’t understand and are the poorer as a result.
Looking at the timeframe and considering what would happen in Belgium and France in widespread maiming and killing we remember as World War I, you wonder which model to live by (or die under), is the better. This is a refreshing story to unclutter our preconceptions and while it entertains it really gave me scope to think and reflect.
If you can source a copy, I suggest you give it a read.
From the comic book:
“In 1903, a man with a few tools stopped in a solitary valley in the Ardennes Forest, France. Soon, he would be joined by worker comrades, ex-convicts and libertarians, all following the same dream: to build a better world. It was the start of the colony named L’Essai.”
“With THE COLONY, Nichols Devon has produced a magnificent tribute to a true story, a moving testimony that remains troubling topical.”
The drawing and the wide sky illustrations are a great addition to the story and is all the better for being set into this comic book presentation. I really enjoyed reading of a real-life adventure and ambitious attempt to bring communism into being by actions as well as words. Fortuné Henry the founder of the colony is the narrator. He was a known anarchist and used a friend’s name to buy the land. Many similar ventures have existed in history, orders of friars and monks, communes and kibbutz but here was a stepping back from violent struggle to create social organisation a model for society where there was no division due to class, sex, status or wealth. All worked together and ate together as a living organism. But like dividing cells each would bring their own skills and expertise for the good of the whole body of the colony.
I truly found the reading experience fascinating; in some respects, you wanted to see these people thrive and expand. But the difficulties are shared and the problems they overcame inspire. Perhaps a vision which was so pure and needed charismatic elders to stir it forward shows why societies often break down. We fail when we label certain ventures as failures without noting what was good and could be improved on for the benefit of all. Rather we tend to dismiss and mistrust ideologies and behaviours we don’t understand and are the poorer as a result.
Looking at the timeframe and considering what would happen in Belgium and France in widespread maiming and killing we remember as World War I, you wonder which model to live by (or die under), is the better. This is a refreshing story to unclutter our preconceptions and while it entertains it really gave me scope to think and reflect.
If you can source a copy, I suggest you give it a read.
February 14, 2020
Thank you, NetGalley and Europe Comics, for a complimentary copy of this graphic novel!
First, I have to say that this graphic novel is based on a true story and that was amazing because I had no clue that a community such as L'Essai actually existed. I was born and grew up in a country that claimed to be communist and socially just and fair when in fact it was a dictatorship. So, it was easy for me to see and accept the principles L'Essai was founded on. The basic principles were amazing, but from what I have experienced first hand and from learning more about history, philosophy, and economics, human nature is just not compatible with the principles of a truly communist society, let alone anarchy, such as the system practiced at L'Essai. Nonetheless, it was great to see the early stages and hard work that the founder and his followers put into the community to make it flourish. It takes strong will to go through the kind of suffering and hardship the colony went through.
The sepia colors used for the illustrations was a great choice! It gave the whole graphic novel a vintage feel which was great given that this was a historical novel.
First, I have to say that this graphic novel is based on a true story and that was amazing because I had no clue that a community such as L'Essai actually existed. I was born and grew up in a country that claimed to be communist and socially just and fair when in fact it was a dictatorship. So, it was easy for me to see and accept the principles L'Essai was founded on. The basic principles were amazing, but from what I have experienced first hand and from learning more about history, philosophy, and economics, human nature is just not compatible with the principles of a truly communist society, let alone anarchy, such as the system practiced at L'Essai. Nonetheless, it was great to see the early stages and hard work that the founder and his followers put into the community to make it flourish. It takes strong will to go through the kind of suffering and hardship the colony went through.
The sepia colors used for the illustrations was a great choice! It gave the whole graphic novel a vintage feel which was great given that this was a historical novel.
February 26, 2025
L'histoire vraie d'une communauté rurale anarchiste début 1900.
La magie de cette BD ne fonctionnera que si on a un coup de cœur pour le graphisme, ce qui a été mon cas. Tout est en couleurs directes, et c'est de la peinture. Absolument superbe. Chaque case est un tableau, dans un style qui rappelle l'expressionnisme et le fauvisme.
La nature est omniprésente et sublimée, et le passage des saisons rendu palpable à travers une gamme de couleurs qu'on sent qu'on pourrait quasiment toucher, entre lumière, chaleur et froid.
La stylisation des personnages, qui les rend un peu lointains, a fonctionné pour moi, j'ai aimé voir comment ils parvenaient puis échouaient à réaliser leur idéal. J'ai vu des critiques reprocher un "manque de développement" des personnages, pour ma part les transformations de la nature, et les bâtiments en train de se construire m'ont suffit comme "développement", l'individu s'efface au profit du collectif et des conditions matérielles d'existence, ce qui est tout à fait dans le thème.
Étant moi-même anarchiste, le propos politique derrière m'a évidemment plu, ainsi que les quelques pages de documentaires en bonus.
La magie de cette BD ne fonctionnera que si on a un coup de cœur pour le graphisme, ce qui a été mon cas. Tout est en couleurs directes, et c'est de la peinture. Absolument superbe. Chaque case est un tableau, dans un style qui rappelle l'expressionnisme et le fauvisme.
La nature est omniprésente et sublimée, et le passage des saisons rendu palpable à travers une gamme de couleurs qu'on sent qu'on pourrait quasiment toucher, entre lumière, chaleur et froid.
La stylisation des personnages, qui les rend un peu lointains, a fonctionné pour moi, j'ai aimé voir comment ils parvenaient puis échouaient à réaliser leur idéal. J'ai vu des critiques reprocher un "manque de développement" des personnages, pour ma part les transformations de la nature, et les bâtiments en train de se construire m'ont suffit comme "développement", l'individu s'efface au profit du collectif et des conditions matérielles d'existence, ce qui est tout à fait dans le thème.
Étant moi-même anarchiste, le propos politique derrière m'a évidemment plu, ainsi que les quelques pages de documentaires en bonus.
August 8, 2025
24×32 'Long Courrier' ¦ D.L. 05/2015 ¦ prix DA08 = eo(noté)
+₄page dossier at finish / Lexique of Patois Ardennais within
HARDCORE 4*: I saw the makings of a master 9th artist, confidently melding story with impeccable self-colored art, within these well-composed pages in the same ways he impressed me with "Le tour des Géants" !
Narrative: ***
I tremendously appreciate creators who take the type of risks involved in staging stories about interesting human history that are difficult to properly understand by a modern audience due to, in this case, antiquated socio-political concepts and government of a very differently populated world. I managed to read this robust 'Long Courrier" in two tidy (self)uninterrupted sessions -a break was needed to toss all that ₁₉Aughts Franco-anarchist rhetoric around in my head- roughly 24hrs. apart.
Visual: *****
In two thick grandformat albums he has seriously wowed me to the point of seeing him as bonified A level against the whole field I've seen- confidently at A² from not needing a colorist and being excellent at it. That matters so much to me with the world being in color.
+₄page dossier at finish / Lexique of Patois Ardennais within
HARDCORE 4*: I saw the makings of a master 9th artist, confidently melding story with impeccable self-colored art, within these well-composed pages in the same ways he impressed me with "Le tour des Géants" !
Narrative: ***
I tremendously appreciate creators who take the type of risks involved in staging stories about interesting human history that are difficult to properly understand by a modern audience due to, in this case, antiquated socio-political concepts and government of a very differently populated world. I managed to read this robust 'Long Courrier" in two tidy (self)uninterrupted sessions -a break was needed to toss all that ₁₉Aughts Franco-anarchist rhetoric around in my head- roughly 24hrs. apart.
Visual: *****
In two thick grandformat albums he has seriously wowed me to the point of seeing him as bonified A level against the whole field I've seen- confidently at A² from not needing a colorist and being excellent at it. That matters so much to me with the world being in color.
November 6, 2019
Een best OK/interessant boek over een anarchistische settlement ergens in de Ardennen. Van een man met een visie tot een man die zich steeds minder bemoeid met wat er in de settlement staat. Ik vond het verdrietig om dit te zien. Ik moet zeggen dat ik hem, met elke pagina in het boek, steeds minder sympathiek vond. Uiteindelijk vond ik hem maar een sneue man. Hij heeft iets moois opgezet, een lieve vrouw en kinderen, en toch koos hij ervoor om iets heel anders te doen en alles achter te laten.
Maar zien hoe de settlement groeide en groeide en wat ze allemaal deden was interessant om te lezen dat waren ook de stukjes die ik het leukst vond.
De tekeningen waren best mooi, niet echt een fan van de mensen, maar hemeltje wat waren die actergronden mooi!
Fijn dat we aan het einde nog wat extra informatie krijgen want het boek is gebaseerd op een echte settlement en persoon.
Maar zien hoe de settlement groeide en groeide en wat ze allemaal deden was interessant om te lezen dat waren ook de stukjes die ik het leukst vond.
De tekeningen waren best mooi, niet echt een fan van de mensen, maar hemeltje wat waren die actergronden mooi!
Fijn dat we aan het einde nog wat extra informatie krijgen want het boek is gebaseerd op een echte settlement en persoon.
November 6, 2020
i thought this was an astounding tale about a gathering of individuals who were resolved to live in a fair and evenhanded manner. they confronted numerous difficulties and difficult work, however, they were commonly upbeat. after some time doing combating the components negatively affects the network, yet when fortuné henry has detained the life of the province starts to ebb.
the fine art is straightforward yet acceptable and it passes on the story in a ground-breaking way. i didn't think a lot about rebellion as a political way of thinking prior to understanding this and this was an entirely pleasant presentation.
in any case, when it was acceptable, it was acceptable. i felt truly motivated now and again and wondered how they set their focus on an objective and truly pursued it.
the fine art is straightforward yet acceptable and it passes on the story in a ground-breaking way. i didn't think a lot about rebellion as a political way of thinking prior to understanding this and this was an entirely pleasant presentation.
in any case, when it was acceptable, it was acceptable. i felt truly motivated now and again and wondered how they set their focus on an objective and truly pursued it.
December 23, 2022
A story about a real French colony started in 1903 by libertarians as the future of man. From the beginning you know it's all a matter of time before it heads South as I've never heard of this place. Ideals like anarchy and communism always sound great as an ideal, but in practice inevitably fall apart because people in a group almost always begin to look out for themselves over the whole once things become difficult. It's just human nature.
This only goes into the barest of details at times, just showing people leaving but not explaining why. Maybe because that's been lost over the last 100 years. I can see why this comic was made but there was definitely room to improve the story as well.
This only goes into the barest of details at times, just showing people leaving but not explaining why. Maybe because that's been lost over the last 100 years. I can see why this comic was made but there was definitely room to improve the story as well.
March 6, 2020
A gorgeously illustrated nonfiction graphic novel that was equal parts beautiful and informative. Prior to seeing the blurb for Debon's The Colony, I had no knowledge of anarchist movements in France in the early 1900's. My understanding of communism and libertarianism is, to be quite honest, lacking as well. Debon told the story of the L'Essai commune of Aiglemont very well. The level of detail and color intensified as more people joined the commune and as Fortune's beliefs spread. Debon's use of color is especially masterful in this graphic novel. This is yet another topic I am interested in learning more about because I have stumbled upon it on NetGalley.
March 7, 2020
[Traditional Net Galley disclaimer]
An interesting look at turn of the century politics in France from the perspective of the anarchists. The art expresses both the connection to nature and degraded isolation that were part of the evolution of L'Essai life. The author makes Fortuné Henry appeal to the reader as he would have appealed to his countrymen in the style of Thoreau rather than a dynamite wielding criminal --as French radicals are often depicted from the era.
There is a humanity to the characters. There is serenity in the land around them. It's present in the moment and does not have the Great War foreshadowing over it.
An interesting look at turn of the century politics in France from the perspective of the anarchists. The art expresses both the connection to nature and degraded isolation that were part of the evolution of L'Essai life. The author makes Fortuné Henry appeal to the reader as he would have appealed to his countrymen in the style of Thoreau rather than a dynamite wielding criminal --as French radicals are often depicted from the era.
There is a humanity to the characters. There is serenity in the land around them. It's present in the moment and does not have the Great War foreshadowing over it.
September 18, 2020
A little lesson in French history with gorgeous illustrations, The Colony takes us to France at the turn of the 20th century. After his brother is beheaded for perpetrating a terrorist attack, Fortune takes all the money he has and buys a plot of land in the middle of the Ardennes forest with the idea of starting a self-sufficient communist colony. At first nearby villagers are horrified by this wild weirdo living like an animal in the middle of nowhere, but soon, they come to rally behind his cause and the colony starts to grow.
Based on real historical events, it's a great look at a different kind of French revolution.
Based on real historical events, it's a great look at a different kind of French revolution.
February 12, 2020
Received in exchange for review.
Based on the true story of the rise and fall of a brief communist community in 1903 in France. The art is beautiful, and the sepia colours are a wonder for the mood of this novel. The plot is weak, but fans of political science and history will enjoy. Characters, like in most short comics, are not well developed, but the history section at the end did help.
Based on the true story of the rise and fall of a brief communist community in 1903 in France. The art is beautiful, and the sepia colours are a wonder for the mood of this novel. The plot is weak, but fans of political science and history will enjoy. Characters, like in most short comics, are not well developed, but the history section at the end did help.
May 9, 2023
That the art in this one graphic novel is mesmerizing & inspiring, it`s quite an understatement!
The story also was interesting overall, but not quite there. Still being based on true facts it has it`s value and historical attributes .
The story also was interesting overall, but not quite there. Still being based on true facts it has it`s value and historical attributes .
October 9, 2025
L'essai est une jolie découverte ! je n'avais pas connaissance de cet essai de communauté libertaire dans les Ardennes. Cette BD est une belle occasion de la découvrir de sa construction à son autodestruction si je puis dire.
June 12, 2018
Mildly interesting, but not enough to make it a must-read.
February 1, 2020
Ce ne sera pas une de mes bandes dessinées favorites, mais j'ai tout de même appréciée de découvrir l'histoire de cette utopie anarchiste. Vraiment sublimée par des dessins magnifiques.
February 21, 2020
Great art style and an interesting story.
February 2, 2022
Graphic novel, gebaseerd op het waargebeurde verhaal van L'Essai. De tekenstijl sprak me niet heel erg aan, maar het verhaal wel. Een betere wereld bouwen is niet makkelijk, blijkt maar weer...
June 18, 2023
Bibliothèque manufacture, Nantes. Belles couleurs, beaux paysages, belles compositions d’images
August 31, 2025
tja mooi, jammer dat het eindigt in niets
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews