It Don't Come Easy

by Philippe Dupuy, Charles Berberian, Helge Dascher (Translator)

The award-winning Monsieur Jean series tackles the complexities of everyday life

Since the character of Monsieur Jean first walked onto the page in 1998, he has endeared himself to readers, maturing with each frantic, surreal, heart-warming episode. Beginning as a young Parisian bachelor, defeatist writer, and urban bon vivant, Jean has reluctantly transitioned into a family man of forty, learning how to live with, and ultimately love those around him unconditionally.

Constantly surrounded by a group of childhood classmates, an unbearably idealistic live-in friend Felix and his adopted son, Eugene, as well as his sweet daughter Julie, Jean questions life and those of others in an honest and endearing way; his unmistakable joie de vivre always undermined by a palpable sense of cynicism. The joy of these award-winning cartoons stems from that fact that Jean's weaknesses are our own; his doubts about life, universal; his relentless quest for happiness understood.

With their unique collaboration, both writing and drawing each Monsieur Jean story, celebrated French cartoonists Dupuy & Berberian prove time and time again just how powerful and seductive a simple, yet elegantly told story can be.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics

224 pages, Paperback

Published December 26, 2017

Reviews

[Drew Canole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Collects Monsieur Jean books 4-7, with the first volume Get a Life, this collects the complete tales of Jean. I prefer the younger bachelor Jean stories, but these are incredible as well. Again my only complaint is this book is too small, it should be oversized like D+Q did when the published some of these stories in their D+Q Anthology 3 and 5.

[Karl · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a solid 3/5. The intricate art was outstanding but the storytelling fell short. I really didn’t find much of it funny or at least my style of humour and I struggled to get through it at times.

Beloved by Europeans and regaled with industry awards, it is obvious that the Monsieur Jean series has struck a chord with a certain comics reading public but it just wasn’t a hit for me. And I say this all as a devoted Drawn and Quarterly fan.

[eliotto · Rating 3 out of 5]

Trouvé cette bd dans un petit comic store sur Saint-Denis dans la section 18+ (???) Cool récit qui se déroule à Paris, les thèmes explorés me rappelait les récits de la série de Paul par Michel Rabagliati!

[Taylor Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

The art was wonderful. The characters relatable, funny, and charismatic (at times). The story... can be dry at times. But overall I enjoyed reading this fun comic. Most likely wont be seeing another visit or re-read but am definitely happy that I got to experience it. 8/10

[Lucas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok story. Many of the characters have little to no development. To be fair, this feel more like a long form Sunday comics than a graphic novel - you wouldn't get mad that Charlie Brown hasn't changed in decades.

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely incredible.

[Jess Rowan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Weird but somewhat relatable.

[Kevin S McKee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really nice slice-of-life graphic novel. At times funny, and heartwrenching at other times. I want to be a friend of Jean, but I feel that he might be a morose bore.

[Colin Oaten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Collection of Dupuy and Berberians slice of life Monsieur Jean tales, featuring the French characters daily travails along with his friend Felix. A worthwhile read.