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Collaboration Horizontale
1942, Paris, Passage de la Bonne Graine. Rose, pour sauver son amie juive, Sarah, décide d'intervenir auprès de l'officier chargé de l'enquête, Mark. Rose est mariée à un prisonnier de guerre, avec qui elle a un enfant. Pourtant elle va se lancer dans une passion avec cet Allemand qui va lui révéler la femme qu'elle est. Cet immeuble est le sanctuaire de femmes héro ques et ordinaires, veuves ou célibataires, juives ou athées, scandaleuses ou acariâtres.
148 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
November 3, 2025
Apesar do tema interessante, penso que não foi muito bem aproveitado e explorado neste livro. Muitas vezes, o enredo fixava-se mais na vida dos outros vizinhos do prédio do que na de Rose e do soldado alemão. Até havia enredos secundários mais interessantes. Lê-se bem e tem cores e ilustrações bonitas.
December 28, 2020
4,5 ⭐️
Savaşta, geride kalan kadın olmaya dair çok etkileyici bir çizgi roman. Çizimleri çok etkileyici. Ayrıca her ne kadar çeviri aşamasında “İsyan Günlerinde Aşk” adına dönüşse de hikaye özünde II. Dünya Savaşı Fransa’sında kadın olmayı pek çok cepheden veriyor. Bunu yaparken de duyguları çok güçlü bir şekilde aktarıyor. Körlüğün çok sade bir şekilde anlatılıp bu kadar derinde hissettirmesi insanı hayran bırakıyor. Hayatın gri bölgelerinde, ödenecek bedellerin hep kadınlara kaldığını bir kere daha okumanın sıkıntısına ve hikayenin sonunda kırılan kalbime rağmen çok sevdim.
Çizgi roman okumayı seviyorsanız es geçmeyin.
“Çocukluk kadar zor iyileşen bir şey daha yoktur. Neyse ki artık çocuk değilsin, hayatın sana ait Joséphine.”
“Fikirlerin için mücadele et, sırlarını da sakla. Ancak böyle hayatta kalırsın. Bir tane de kedi edin. Kediler gerçekten deli olanları uzaklaştırır.”
“Birine onu sevdiğini söyleyememeye kıyasla ölüm hiçbir şeydir.”
“- Mücadele etmekten yoruldum artık.
+ Kadınız biz, mücadele etmek için yaratıldık.
..... Madalya almasak da...”
Savaşta, geride kalan kadın olmaya dair çok etkileyici bir çizgi roman. Çizimleri çok etkileyici. Ayrıca her ne kadar çeviri aşamasında “İsyan Günlerinde Aşk” adına dönüşse de hikaye özünde II. Dünya Savaşı Fransa’sında kadın olmayı pek çok cepheden veriyor. Bunu yaparken de duyguları çok güçlü bir şekilde aktarıyor. Körlüğün çok sade bir şekilde anlatılıp bu kadar derinde hissettirmesi insanı hayran bırakıyor. Hayatın gri bölgelerinde, ödenecek bedellerin hep kadınlara kaldığını bir kere daha okumanın sıkıntısına ve hikayenin sonunda kırılan kalbime rağmen çok sevdim.
Çizgi roman okumayı seviyorsanız es geçmeyin.
“Çocukluk kadar zor iyileşen bir şey daha yoktur. Neyse ki artık çocuk değilsin, hayatın sana ait Joséphine.”
“Fikirlerin için mücadele et, sırlarını da sakla. Ancak böyle hayatta kalırsın. Bir tane de kedi edin. Kediler gerçekten deli olanları uzaklaştırır.”
“Birine onu sevdiğini söyleyememeye kıyasla ölüm hiçbir şeydir.”
“- Mücadele etmekten yoruldum artık.
+ Kadınız biz, mücadele etmek için yaratıldık.
..... Madalya almasak da...”
November 16, 2025
PT Durante a ocupação da França pela Alemanha Nazi, muitas mulheres aproveitaram a sua aparência ou o seu charme para ganhar a simpatia de oficiais alemães — mulheres que, no pós-guerra, acabariam perseguidas por esse motivo. Confesso que, perante o título e a sinopse, esperava uma abordagem mais centrada nesse tema.
Embora esse fosse, de facto, um dos propósitos da obra, o que encontrei foi algo bastante diferente. Acompanhamos a vida de várias personagens durante a ocupação, e entre elas há um romance entre uma francesa e um oficial alemão — um romance desprovido de dramatizações, apresentado de forma simples e natural, como o que pode surgir entre quaisquer duas pessoas. Talvez tenha sido essa mesmo a intenção dos autores: mostrar que, no meio das tensões e das perseguições, também existiam histórias de amor perfeitamente comuns, alheias aos contornos políticos e militares.
Ainda assim, gostei bastante da leitura. A arte é muito apelativa e as cores quentes dão à obra uma atmosfera envolvente. Admito que, por vezes, me senti um pouco perdido a acompanhar todas as personagens — cheguei a confundi-las e tive de recuar algumas páginas para garantir que sabia quem era quem — mas isso não prejudicou a experiência.
No geral, apesar dessas pequenas dificuldades, gostei bastante da obra.
--
EN During the occupation of France by Nazi Germany, many women used their looks or charm to win the sympathy of German officers — women who would later be persecuted for it after the war. I must admit that, based on the title and synopsis, I was expecting a story more focused on that theme.
Although that was indeed one of the intentions of the book, what I found was quite different. We follow the lives of several characters during the occupation, and among them there is a romance between a French woman and a German officer — a romance portrayed without dramatization, simple and natural, just like any relationship that can develop between two people. Perhaps that was precisely the authors’ goal: to show that, amid all the tension and persecution, there were also perfectly ordinary love stories, untouched by the political and military context.
Even so, I really enjoyed the book. The artwork is very appealing, and the warm colours give the whole work an engaging atmosphere. I admit that, at times, I found it a bit hard to keep track of all the characters — I even confused some of them and had to flip back a few pages to be sure who was who — but it didn’t harm the reading experience.
Overall, despite these small difficulties, I enjoyed the book a lot.
Score: 82%
Embora esse fosse, de facto, um dos propósitos da obra, o que encontrei foi algo bastante diferente. Acompanhamos a vida de várias personagens durante a ocupação, e entre elas há um romance entre uma francesa e um oficial alemão — um romance desprovido de dramatizações, apresentado de forma simples e natural, como o que pode surgir entre quaisquer duas pessoas. Talvez tenha sido essa mesmo a intenção dos autores: mostrar que, no meio das tensões e das perseguições, também existiam histórias de amor perfeitamente comuns, alheias aos contornos políticos e militares.
Ainda assim, gostei bastante da leitura. A arte é muito apelativa e as cores quentes dão à obra uma atmosfera envolvente. Admito que, por vezes, me senti um pouco perdido a acompanhar todas as personagens — cheguei a confundi-las e tive de recuar algumas páginas para garantir que sabia quem era quem — mas isso não prejudicou a experiência.
No geral, apesar dessas pequenas dificuldades, gostei bastante da obra.
--
EN During the occupation of France by Nazi Germany, many women used their looks or charm to win the sympathy of German officers — women who would later be persecuted for it after the war. I must admit that, based on the title and synopsis, I was expecting a story more focused on that theme.
Although that was indeed one of the intentions of the book, what I found was quite different. We follow the lives of several characters during the occupation, and among them there is a romance between a French woman and a German officer — a romance portrayed without dramatization, simple and natural, just like any relationship that can develop between two people. Perhaps that was precisely the authors’ goal: to show that, amid all the tension and persecution, there were also perfectly ordinary love stories, untouched by the political and military context.
Even so, I really enjoyed the book. The artwork is very appealing, and the warm colours give the whole work an engaging atmosphere. I admit that, at times, I found it a bit hard to keep track of all the characters — I even confused some of them and had to flip back a few pages to be sure who was who — but it didn’t harm the reading experience.
Overall, despite these small difficulties, I enjoyed the book a lot.
Score: 82%
August 21, 2019
“Horizontal collaboration” is a term coined to describe French women who embarked on romantic or sexual relationships with German soldiers during Occupation. This graphic novel opens in the present day, with a young woman visiting her elderly grandmother, lamenting the complexities of modern love. This inspires her grandmother to finally open up about her own past, divulging the details of a tragic love affair she became entangled in back in 1942.
Though the context of war clearly plays an important part in setting up the story, and it does indeed loom ominously in the background, the focus is placed firmly on the characters and the intricacies of their everyday lives. With much of the story set in a single apartment building, weaving in and out of the various inhabitants’ lives, we are presented with a microcosm of society at the time. This allows the author to show us the universal struggles that continued to dominate even in times of international crisis. From petty squabbles with the neighbours, to issues of domestic violence, and from secret love affairs, to quiet struggles with sexuality; this book touches on so much of the human experience.
The characters themselves are realistically flawed and complex. Within the relatively short scope of the story, the author manages to paint a picture of the moral dilemmas that people were forced to navigate day to day, and the divide between those who acted in aid of the greater good, and those who served only themselves.
The book has its moments of charm and hope, but it doesn’t shy away from the harsh reality many people faced under Occupation. Indeed, there were at least four occasions when I felt like I’d been punched in the gut. My only slight critique is how fast moving the narrative was on occasion, which meant it took me some time to get to grips with the dynamic between the numerous characters. That said, the art is a huge factor in the success of any graphic novel, and Maurel’s style is gorgeous; ideally suited to the story being told. Rich, vivid and expressive, her work is at its best when she employs aesthetically striking and emotionally haunting imagery. If the story was a solid 4 star read for me, the artwork more than earned the book that coveted 5th star.
I’ve deliberately avoided plot specifics, as I went into this somewhat blind, and would encourage others to do the same if possible. I loved watching the highs and lows of these characters’ lives unfold, and it’s a story I know will stay with me. I sincerely hope Navie and Maurel will team up again in the future; their styles working here in perfect harmony.
Though the context of war clearly plays an important part in setting up the story, and it does indeed loom ominously in the background, the focus is placed firmly on the characters and the intricacies of their everyday lives. With much of the story set in a single apartment building, weaving in and out of the various inhabitants’ lives, we are presented with a microcosm of society at the time. This allows the author to show us the universal struggles that continued to dominate even in times of international crisis. From petty squabbles with the neighbours, to issues of domestic violence, and from secret love affairs, to quiet struggles with sexuality; this book touches on so much of the human experience.
The characters themselves are realistically flawed and complex. Within the relatively short scope of the story, the author manages to paint a picture of the moral dilemmas that people were forced to navigate day to day, and the divide between those who acted in aid of the greater good, and those who served only themselves.
The book has its moments of charm and hope, but it doesn’t shy away from the harsh reality many people faced under Occupation. Indeed, there were at least four occasions when I felt like I’d been punched in the gut. My only slight critique is how fast moving the narrative was on occasion, which meant it took me some time to get to grips with the dynamic between the numerous characters. That said, the art is a huge factor in the success of any graphic novel, and Maurel’s style is gorgeous; ideally suited to the story being told. Rich, vivid and expressive, her work is at its best when she employs aesthetically striking and emotionally haunting imagery. If the story was a solid 4 star read for me, the artwork more than earned the book that coveted 5th star.
I’ve deliberately avoided plot specifics, as I went into this somewhat blind, and would encourage others to do the same if possible. I loved watching the highs and lows of these characters’ lives unfold, and it’s a story I know will stay with me. I sincerely hope Navie and Maurel will team up again in the future; their styles working here in perfect harmony.
August 26, 2021
Hitler bütün bu dertlerimizin sebebinin Yahudiler olduğunu düşünüyorsa bir bildiği vardır. Yanılyor olsa o kadar insan başa geçmesini istemezdi herhalde.
Faşistlerin ve diktatörlerin de çoğunlukla seçimle başa geçmesi çok trajikomik değil mi?
Son zamanlarda okuduğum en başarılı çizgi romanlardandı. Zaten açar açmaz, kokusunu içinize çeker çekmez anlıyorsunuz. Bu hafta bir de dijital çizgi roman okudum, next next next. Şöyle bir sayfalarına dokunamıyorsam, kitabı koklayamıyorsam, sayfalarda ilerledikçe sol taraf kalınlaşırken sağ taraf incelmiyorsa, bitirdiğimde kitaplığıma koyamıyor ve gözüm takıldıkça anmıyorsam yok ben istemiyorum. Sanırım mecbur olmadıkça da şu e-book reader'lara geçemeyeceğim.
Mücadele etmekten yoruldum artık. Kadınız biz, mücadele etmek için yaratıldık. Madalya almasak da.
Hikaye de çizimler de olağanüstüydü. Çerçevenin camındaki yansımaya kadar tüm küçük detaylar incelikle düşünülmüş, ustalıkla icra edilmişti. Geçmişin sarı tonu çok hoşuma gitti. Anael'in çocukça Yahudi'nin ne olduğunu anlatmasına bayıldım. Ayrıca kitap da ustalıkla yayına hazırlanmış. Yapı Kredi Yayınları'nı ve emeği geçenleri ayrıca tebrik ediyorum.
- Kızgınsınız Henriette.
- Öfkeyi basit zihinlere bırakıyorum. Kızgın değilim, savaştayım.
Son sayfalar çok çarpıcıydı ve az kalsın Mark'ın mektubunu atlıyordum. Okursanız dikkat edin. Hikaye bittikten sonra son sayfada. Ayrıca bu kitabı beğenenlere Kızıl Göğün Altında'yı tavsiye ederim.
Herkese keyifli okumalar!
Faşistlerin ve diktatörlerin de çoğunlukla seçimle başa geçmesi çok trajikomik değil mi?
Son zamanlarda okuduğum en başarılı çizgi romanlardandı. Zaten açar açmaz, kokusunu içinize çeker çekmez anlıyorsunuz. Bu hafta bir de dijital çizgi roman okudum, next next next. Şöyle bir sayfalarına dokunamıyorsam, kitabı koklayamıyorsam, sayfalarda ilerledikçe sol taraf kalınlaşırken sağ taraf incelmiyorsa, bitirdiğimde kitaplığıma koyamıyor ve gözüm takıldıkça anmıyorsam yok ben istemiyorum. Sanırım mecbur olmadıkça da şu e-book reader'lara geçemeyeceğim.
Mücadele etmekten yoruldum artık. Kadınız biz, mücadele etmek için yaratıldık. Madalya almasak da.
Hikaye de çizimler de olağanüstüydü. Çerçevenin camındaki yansımaya kadar tüm küçük detaylar incelikle düşünülmüş, ustalıkla icra edilmişti. Geçmişin sarı tonu çok hoşuma gitti. Anael'in çocukça Yahudi'nin ne olduğunu anlatmasına bayıldım. Ayrıca kitap da ustalıkla yayına hazırlanmış. Yapı Kredi Yayınları'nı ve emeği geçenleri ayrıca tebrik ediyorum.
- Kızgınsınız Henriette.
- Öfkeyi basit zihinlere bırakıyorum. Kızgın değilim, savaştayım.
Son sayfalar çok çarpıcıydı ve az kalsın Mark'ın mektubunu atlıyordum. Okursanız dikkat edin. Hikaye bittikten sonra son sayfada. Ayrıca bu kitabı beğenenlere Kızıl Göğün Altında'yı tavsiye ederim.
Herkese keyifli okumalar!
January 4, 2021
Beautifully illustrated graphic novel that shows WWII through the eyes of various French women. In particular a woman having a love affair with a nazi. So, daring in that respect. I don't recall ever having read or seen this perspective on WWII before.
At times the story struck me as naive but 'understated' might be a better way to put it. The nazi in question shares how his childhood prepped him for the army. Just when I was thinking how a childhood full of propaganda is no excuse for following Hitler and taking part in mass murder, a character would voice that opinion.
Before this I read Monstress, which also deals with survival and war. While they treat similar subjects, the approach couldn't be more different. There's something to say for both but I found this look at war away from the battlefield (but with danger all around nonetheless) intriguing.
At times the story struck me as naive but 'understated' might be a better way to put it. The nazi in question shares how his childhood prepped him for the army. Just when I was thinking how a childhood full of propaganda is no excuse for following Hitler and taking part in mass murder, a character would voice that opinion.
Before this I read Monstress, which also deals with survival and war. While they treat similar subjects, the approach couldn't be more different. There's something to say for both but I found this look at war away from the battlefield (but with danger all around nonetheless) intriguing.
February 20, 2018
Un trait superbe, un traitement graphique original et tellement juste dans le choix des couleurs (dans les tons de sépia, qui nous transportent sans soucis dans la France des années 1940). Les planches sur l'explosion / l'expression des sentiments sont sublimes, délicates, prenantes...
C'était beau, triste, émouvant, prenant aux tripes. Un coup de coeur !
C'était beau, triste, émouvant, prenant aux tripes. Un coup de coeur !
March 26, 2020
Çok güzel bir gerçek hayat öyküsü. Savaş zamanı aşkı anlatan güzel bir çalışma.
December 29, 2017
La vie des français sous l'occupation. Nous suivons une jeune femme qui va tomber amoureuse d'un soldat allemand. Les voisins qui dénoncent les juifs qui se cachent, les résistants de la dernière heure qui vont punir les femmes à la libération. Rien ne nous est épargné dans cette BD qui retranscrit malheureusement la nature humaine dans ce qu'elle a de pire....Heureusement, il reste l'amour....
Ma note : 16,5/20
Ma note : 16,5/20
June 20, 2019
Well this broke my heart !
A stunningly illustrated graphic novel that tells the tale of women in France during World War 2…
Virginie’s grandmother, admits she never loved her husband Raymond, but she had been in love once…
The story then goes back to the war, in France. Rose lives with her young son, Lucien, her husband Raymond is away, a prisoner of war. She is a nurse and she is helping young Anael, a young Jewish boy who is hiding with his mother in the same building…
There is also Josephine, she works at a cabaret….but is really an ‘escort’…the only way she can survive, but she is struggling to cope and there is tragedy ahead…
Madame Flament, an elderly woman, who appears a bit dotty, but this is not the case….can she be trusted…..can anyone?
Young Rose falls in love with a German soldier…..they keep their trysts secret as no one would understand….
Camille the blind man is loved by all and although he is blind he sees more than anyone….
A beautiful story that shows the awful circumstances many women found themselves in and the effects of war on those left at home alone…..what they had to do just to survive, with love, loss, domestic violence, tragedy and betrayal…..a stunning read..
Thank you to Anne Cater and Random Things Tours for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour and for the promotional materials and a free copy of the book in exchange for my honest, unbiased review.
A stunningly illustrated graphic novel that tells the tale of women in France during World War 2…
Virginie’s grandmother, admits she never loved her husband Raymond, but she had been in love once…
The story then goes back to the war, in France. Rose lives with her young son, Lucien, her husband Raymond is away, a prisoner of war. She is a nurse and she is helping young Anael, a young Jewish boy who is hiding with his mother in the same building…
There is also Josephine, she works at a cabaret….but is really an ‘escort’…the only way she can survive, but she is struggling to cope and there is tragedy ahead…
Madame Flament, an elderly woman, who appears a bit dotty, but this is not the case….can she be trusted…..can anyone?
Young Rose falls in love with a German soldier…..they keep their trysts secret as no one would understand….
Camille the blind man is loved by all and although he is blind he sees more than anyone….
A beautiful story that shows the awful circumstances many women found themselves in and the effects of war on those left at home alone…..what they had to do just to survive, with love, loss, domestic violence, tragedy and betrayal…..a stunning read..
Thank you to Anne Cater and Random Things Tours for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour and for the promotional materials and a free copy of the book in exchange for my honest, unbiased review.
February 14, 2017
18/20
La guerre et la cohabitation avec les allemands traités de différents points de vue.. Tout en nous racontant une histoire d’amour interdite. Une BD captivante dont les dessins sont de vraies merveilles.
Ma chronique : https://myprettybooks.wordpress.com/2...
La guerre et la cohabitation avec les allemands traités de différents points de vue.. Tout en nous racontant une histoire d’amour interdite. Une BD captivante dont les dessins sont de vraies merveilles.
Ma chronique : https://myprettybooks.wordpress.com/2...
October 17, 2018
Cette BD est sublime tant par le message que par les dessins qui sont grandioses.
J'adore le travail graphique de Carole Maurel !
J'adore le travail graphique de Carole Maurel !
June 30, 2019
Before I even started reading this, I flicked through the pages and I was struck by the beauty of the colour scheme. The neutrals and muted tones really added to the book and allowed the story to shine. There were, however, pops of brighter citrus colours at appropriate moments, which I loved because they added emphasis to important plot points.
In terms of the story, I thought this was a very unique take on a period of history that has been written about often. I have a soft spot for WWII fiction but I acknowledge that the market is somewhat saturated. However, this is the first time I have read about that era from this perspective. Navie captures the innocence of children, the hardships of war and the complexities of loveless marriages with nuance.
I will admit that I would occasionally lose my bearings while reading, as the scenes would change very quickly and without warning. I don’t think it helped that I was tired while reading though! I was able to sort things out in my mind without too much difficulty and didn’t have any problems understanding what was going on.
Finally, I enjoyed how the characters’ stories all interlinked and I was impressed with the amount of empathy the author and illustrator were able to evoke from me in such a short amount of pages. The ending was very poignant.
I definitely recommend this one to fans of WWII fiction! Thank you to the publisher and Anne Cater/Random Things Tours for providing me with a free copy!
In terms of the story, I thought this was a very unique take on a period of history that has been written about often. I have a soft spot for WWII fiction but I acknowledge that the market is somewhat saturated. However, this is the first time I have read about that era from this perspective. Navie captures the innocence of children, the hardships of war and the complexities of loveless marriages with nuance.
I will admit that I would occasionally lose my bearings while reading, as the scenes would change very quickly and without warning. I don’t think it helped that I was tired while reading though! I was able to sort things out in my mind without too much difficulty and didn’t have any problems understanding what was going on.
Finally, I enjoyed how the characters’ stories all interlinked and I was impressed with the amount of empathy the author and illustrator were able to evoke from me in such a short amount of pages. The ending was very poignant.
I definitely recommend this one to fans of WWII fiction! Thank you to the publisher and Anne Cater/Random Things Tours for providing me with a free copy!
November 29, 2020
Kitabın orijinal ismi Yatay Işbirliği. Almanlar Fransa'yı ısgal ettiğinde, Alman askerleriyle duygusal ilişkiler kuran kadınlar için kullanılan bir tabir. Almanlara gücü yetmeyen Fransızların savaştan sonra ihbar edilen bu kadınları yakalayıp ibret-i alem olsun diye meydanlarda soyup, saçlarını tıraş ederek hırsını kadınlardan çıkarması zaten tartışmaya açık bir konu. Bu kitapta sadece işbirliği (!) yapan bir kadın değil, savaş konu olunca pek bahsedilmeyen birden fazla kadının hikayesini okuyoruz.
Peki türkçeye bu kitabı hangi isimle kazandırıyoruz? Isgal Günlerinde Aşk? Yapıştır geç.
Peki türkçeye bu kitabı hangi isimle kazandırıyoruz? Isgal Günlerinde Aşk? Yapıştır geç.
June 8, 2023
Çizgiler ve renkler güzel, ama hikaye ile uyumsuz, hayali bir evrende sevimli bir aşk hikayesi olsa idi aktarılan, hikaye ile uyumlu olurdu. Gelgelelim hikaye "Yunan Anadolu'ya girse enişte diye boyunlarına sarılacak"lara empati yoluyla sempati gösterme hikayesi. Bense bir "faşist" olduğumdan beğenmedim.
June 26, 2019
OK confession time. This is my first ever graphic novel! Apologies are therefore needed, I can’t review Horizontal Collaboration from anything like an experienced fans point of view. I am simply a girl who has an interest in the plot (World War Two collaborators) and who was curious. The quality of the art, the conventions of the genre, the originality etc. are therefore not being judged. This one is purely on enjoyment.
I was surprised when the book arrived to see it was hardback. I expected it to be, well, a comic! My only experience of graphic novels was via a ‘women in comics’ elective during my A level Media Studies where I read everything from the Beano to Marvel. That was however more years than I care to remember and using comics many, many people had previously read. The genre has certainly come a long way since then.
This gleaming, hard backed copy of Horizontal Collaboration was a thing of beauty. I wouldn’t hesitate (from the cover alone) to buy this as a gift for any comic book fans. I’m already lining up possible male suspects for birthday presents.
I say male suspects however that is very sexist of me. Women like comics too and in fact the book is all about women. Lots of them, all interwoven, all flawed, all struggling for different reasons in war torn France. Josephine the cabaret/escort girl with tragedy looming. Rose the married nurse who is doomed to fall in love with a German soldier. Simone the young artist, struggling to live with her mother who wants nothing more than for her to be a nice lady and marry a good husband. There were quite a few names and I did have to go back once or twice to clarify who was who but given that the book as a whole took me about half an hour to read this was no great hardship.
We were only really treated to a brief snapshot of these women’s lives, yet this was enough to offer a myriad of issues and emotion. Despite the horrors of the war, war was not the only thing that loomed large in their lives. Yet it still permeated their home as smoke would a room, to equal devastating effect.
It maybe my newness to the genre but I did have to concentrate at times as to who was saying what and what a certain section meant. I soon settled in to the rhythm however, which was made easier by the simply exceptional illustrations, From the striking front cover to the full page extraordinaires, I loved them.
My thanks must go to Korero Press via Random Things Tours for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed it and was blown away by its beauty. I will certainly be searching out graphic comics with renewed interest from now on. Any one have any recommendations?
I was surprised when the book arrived to see it was hardback. I expected it to be, well, a comic! My only experience of graphic novels was via a ‘women in comics’ elective during my A level Media Studies where I read everything from the Beano to Marvel. That was however more years than I care to remember and using comics many, many people had previously read. The genre has certainly come a long way since then.
This gleaming, hard backed copy of Horizontal Collaboration was a thing of beauty. I wouldn’t hesitate (from the cover alone) to buy this as a gift for any comic book fans. I’m already lining up possible male suspects for birthday presents.
I say male suspects however that is very sexist of me. Women like comics too and in fact the book is all about women. Lots of them, all interwoven, all flawed, all struggling for different reasons in war torn France. Josephine the cabaret/escort girl with tragedy looming. Rose the married nurse who is doomed to fall in love with a German soldier. Simone the young artist, struggling to live with her mother who wants nothing more than for her to be a nice lady and marry a good husband. There were quite a few names and I did have to go back once or twice to clarify who was who but given that the book as a whole took me about half an hour to read this was no great hardship.
We were only really treated to a brief snapshot of these women’s lives, yet this was enough to offer a myriad of issues and emotion. Despite the horrors of the war, war was not the only thing that loomed large in their lives. Yet it still permeated their home as smoke would a room, to equal devastating effect.
It maybe my newness to the genre but I did have to concentrate at times as to who was saying what and what a certain section meant. I soon settled in to the rhythm however, which was made easier by the simply exceptional illustrations, From the striking front cover to the full page extraordinaires, I loved them.
My thanks must go to Korero Press via Random Things Tours for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed it and was blown away by its beauty. I will certainly be searching out graphic comics with renewed interest from now on. Any one have any recommendations?
June 24, 2019
I don’t normally read “Graphic Novels”, not because I don’t like it, but because I really don’t know where to find the good ones or to have a good variety to search on.
Horizontal Collaboration is a complex and realistic story that will stay with you for a long time; the emotional charge of the story told with some really beautiful illustrations have stolen my heart. It’s always surprising how an illustration can make you feel so many emotions and sensations without a simple word.
This is the story of some characters living on a building in Paris on 1942; how their lives are all connected. It’s curious because even if they all have their own secrets they all respect and take care of each other.
Since the beginning you suspect that this will not be a happy ending story, but after you read it, you understand that their acts are not a result of jealousy or angriness, they are a result of care and preservation. It may not seem that way when you just finish the story, but with a cold mind you can understand almost all the actions, even if the results ended dramatically bad.
This book will be on my top ten this year, I loved every page of it; I don’t want to make any spoilers or to tell too much about it. Take a chance to Horizontal Collaboration it is worth every page!
Horizontal Collaboration is a complex and realistic story that will stay with you for a long time; the emotional charge of the story told with some really beautiful illustrations have stolen my heart. It’s always surprising how an illustration can make you feel so many emotions and sensations without a simple word.
This is the story of some characters living on a building in Paris on 1942; how their lives are all connected. It’s curious because even if they all have their own secrets they all respect and take care of each other.
Since the beginning you suspect that this will not be a happy ending story, but after you read it, you understand that their acts are not a result of jealousy or angriness, they are a result of care and preservation. It may not seem that way when you just finish the story, but with a cold mind you can understand almost all the actions, even if the results ended dramatically bad.
This book will be on my top ten this year, I loved every page of it; I don’t want to make any spoilers or to tell too much about it. Take a chance to Horizontal Collaboration it is worth every page!
August 13, 2021
Une belle bande dessinée sur un sujet difficile. On croise plusieurs personnages féminins qui se côtoient à Paris sous l'occupation allemande. Chacune d'entres elles est attachante et chacune semble aussi cacher précieusement un secret... certains un peu plus joyeux que d'autres. Les histoires sont touchantes et bonus, les illustrations sont aussi très jolies.
April 7, 2019
BD magnifique, tant l’histoire que les dessins
April 26, 2022
Petite lecture guillerette sur l'occupation. Un bonheur
July 22, 2019
My heart is still recovering from unexpectedly being submerged by the torment of anguished love that is Horizontal Collaboration. It brutally puts things into perspective, how fortunate and privileged we are today. The story opens in the present with Virginie telling her Grandmother that she is scared to tell a boy she thinks he’s the one. Before we know it we are whisked back to the 1940’s, a drastically different world. Young boys are being forced to sign up for war and Jews are in hiding fearing for their lives. Our generation has never had to fight like those before us. We don’t have to watch our comrades being blown to pieces from a landmine or listen to the sound of the bombs dropping from overhead. It made me realise how much we take for granted, our basic human needs and rights. It tore me apart knowing that this was a real time and many people suffered unnecessarily. Today you hear people moaning about no wifi access in a Starbucks…how the times have changed. This book made me look around and focus on the things that matter, the beauty and love that surrounds us daily. We just need to look up once in a while.
I couldn’t help but be reminded of Rear Window at points as I watched the multiple stories unfold through the apartment block windows. It was intense and I felt intrusive as the facades of each character melted away behind closed doors. In a time of war and death, knowing who to trust was a constant fear. If you placed it in the wrong hands it could sign your death sentence. This was a ticking time bomb waiting to explode as the tension builds on each page which made for gripping storytelling.
The illustrations are a beauty to behold. I could honestly sit and stare at them all day, they are breathtaking and elegantly dance across the page. The amount of fine detail adds to the disturbing realism of the time. They capture the mixture of emotions that bewilderedly stumbled the streets. Simply magnifique.
When you learn about war in school, it’s often focused on the men doing the fighting. (which is extremely honourable in its own right) But it’s a rarity that we are shown the women’s perspective, the ones left behind forcing themselves to carry on. They are silently holding down the fort at home, keeping things in order and looking out for each other. It was empowering to read and I respected the bravery of the women that took centre stage.
The reader only gets to see fleeting glimpses of Rose and Mark’s forbidden relationship, but it’s all we need. You can see and feel the love they have for each other. The romantic montage of them going to the fair has very little dialogue and its a perfect snapshot of their relationship. Words are not needed, you just have to look and you know.
The themes throughout are dark and still relatable today, domestic abuse, prostitutes and war with each other, be it the government or troops in Iraq. We humans always seem to be fighting some sort of battle. Horizontal Collaboration shows the fight at home and within the people around us, lies, paranoia and deception. Sleeping with the enemy has never been more apparent.
I applaud Navie & Maurel’s choice to use extracts from speeches such as the appeal of 18th June speech made to the French people. It placed you there, in the moment. I can’t begin to imagine what it must have been like for the people, a traumatic time to be alive.
I’ll be honest dear reader, towards the end I was a mess. So many what-ifs and missed chances. The raw pain and emotion captured in the illustrations and dialogue is gracefully heart-rending. Just thinking about it all over again is already bringing the tears on. Words are not enough to describe it, you have to experience this story for yourself.
I give Horizontal Collaboration By Navie & Carole Maurel a Four out of Five paw rating.
This book broke me and made me appreciate how easy and lucky my generation has it. It opened my eyes to not take everything for granted and be grateful for being able to speak my mind, chose who to love and follow my passion. I have a choice that has not been snatched away from me. I choose to live.
I couldn’t help but be reminded of Rear Window at points as I watched the multiple stories unfold through the apartment block windows. It was intense and I felt intrusive as the facades of each character melted away behind closed doors. In a time of war and death, knowing who to trust was a constant fear. If you placed it in the wrong hands it could sign your death sentence. This was a ticking time bomb waiting to explode as the tension builds on each page which made for gripping storytelling.
The illustrations are a beauty to behold. I could honestly sit and stare at them all day, they are breathtaking and elegantly dance across the page. The amount of fine detail adds to the disturbing realism of the time. They capture the mixture of emotions that bewilderedly stumbled the streets. Simply magnifique.
When you learn about war in school, it’s often focused on the men doing the fighting. (which is extremely honourable in its own right) But it’s a rarity that we are shown the women’s perspective, the ones left behind forcing themselves to carry on. They are silently holding down the fort at home, keeping things in order and looking out for each other. It was empowering to read and I respected the bravery of the women that took centre stage.
The reader only gets to see fleeting glimpses of Rose and Mark’s forbidden relationship, but it’s all we need. You can see and feel the love they have for each other. The romantic montage of them going to the fair has very little dialogue and its a perfect snapshot of their relationship. Words are not needed, you just have to look and you know.
The themes throughout are dark and still relatable today, domestic abuse, prostitutes and war with each other, be it the government or troops in Iraq. We humans always seem to be fighting some sort of battle. Horizontal Collaboration shows the fight at home and within the people around us, lies, paranoia and deception. Sleeping with the enemy has never been more apparent.
I applaud Navie & Maurel’s choice to use extracts from speeches such as the appeal of 18th June speech made to the French people. It placed you there, in the moment. I can’t begin to imagine what it must have been like for the people, a traumatic time to be alive.
I’ll be honest dear reader, towards the end I was a mess. So many what-ifs and missed chances. The raw pain and emotion captured in the illustrations and dialogue is gracefully heart-rending. Just thinking about it all over again is already bringing the tears on. Words are not enough to describe it, you have to experience this story for yourself.
I give Horizontal Collaboration By Navie & Carole Maurel a Four out of Five paw rating.
This book broke me and made me appreciate how easy and lucky my generation has it. It opened my eyes to not take everything for granted and be grateful for being able to speak my mind, chose who to love and follow my passion. I have a choice that has not been snatched away from me. I choose to live.
March 20, 2020
Read more book reviews at: https://www.lifeofafemalebibliophile.com
This graphic novel covers the taboo subject of “sleeping with enemy” within the context of World War II. The main character Rose intervenes in the detainment of her Jewish friend and then embarks on a secret relationship with the investigating German officer, Mark. It’s complex, emotional, and a very deep story that had me hooked from the very first page.
The story starts in present day and then transports its readers back to wartime France. The people in Rose’s complex building are on high alert because of the Nazi regime and are under great duress. These people are like a tight-knit family and community. They look out for each other and as the story progresses we get a look at their lives as well. Each woman profiled in the story is going through inner turmoil though other might not see it on the outside. A woman who dreams of being a glamorous singer gets a gig that is anything but, one woman is exploring her sexuality, and one is caring on secret relationship. Each person has their own secrets which will eventually come to light.
The story takes a look at history from both sides and I wished the book was a bit longer so I could get a deeper look. I wanted to know even more about the characters, their backgrounds, and stories. But for all that is packed in this graphic novel in such a story time the writer and artist did a fantastic job. I loved the variety of art techniques used in this novel to give it a realistic look and feel, as well as being able to convey the characters emotions to the readers.
This was a difficult story to read at times and it was heartbreaking. But I did enjoy it. Horizontal Collaboration is a interesting story and graphic novel. If you are someone that enjoys history based graphic novels, check out this book.
*Trigger Warnings: Suicide, Violence, Domestic Violence
FTC Disclaimer: I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
This graphic novel covers the taboo subject of “sleeping with enemy” within the context of World War II. The main character Rose intervenes in the detainment of her Jewish friend and then embarks on a secret relationship with the investigating German officer, Mark. It’s complex, emotional, and a very deep story that had me hooked from the very first page.
The story starts in present day and then transports its readers back to wartime France. The people in Rose’s complex building are on high alert because of the Nazi regime and are under great duress. These people are like a tight-knit family and community. They look out for each other and as the story progresses we get a look at their lives as well. Each woman profiled in the story is going through inner turmoil though other might not see it on the outside. A woman who dreams of being a glamorous singer gets a gig that is anything but, one woman is exploring her sexuality, and one is caring on secret relationship. Each person has their own secrets which will eventually come to light.
The story takes a look at history from both sides and I wished the book was a bit longer so I could get a deeper look. I wanted to know even more about the characters, their backgrounds, and stories. But for all that is packed in this graphic novel in such a story time the writer and artist did a fantastic job. I loved the variety of art techniques used in this novel to give it a realistic look and feel, as well as being able to convey the characters emotions to the readers.
This was a difficult story to read at times and it was heartbreaking. But I did enjoy it. Horizontal Collaboration is a interesting story and graphic novel. If you are someone that enjoys history based graphic novels, check out this book.
*Trigger Warnings: Suicide, Violence, Domestic Violence
FTC Disclaimer: I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
January 18, 2018
1942, dans un immeuble principalement habité par des femmes... Parmi ces destins de femmes sous l'occupation, on va suivre Rose qui va tomber amoureuse d'un soldat allemand... Un sujet dur mais passionnant !
Les mots choisis sont parfaits, sublimés par les dessins de Carole Maurel (gros gros GROS coup de cœur) !
Je n'ai qu'un reproche à faire : j'ai eu un peu de mal avec la narration chorale, certes intéressante, mais pas toujours évidente à suivre. Les personnages sont peut-être un chouïa trop nombreux. Cependant j'ai été touchée en plein cœur par l'histoire d'amour (et les dessins, je vous ai déjà dit que les dessins étaient magnifiques ?) et je recommande chaudement cette BD.
Ma note : 9/10
Les mots choisis sont parfaits, sublimés par les dessins de Carole Maurel (gros gros GROS coup de cœur) !
Je n'ai qu'un reproche à faire : j'ai eu un peu de mal avec la narration chorale, certes intéressante, mais pas toujours évidente à suivre. Les personnages sont peut-être un chouïa trop nombreux. Cependant j'ai été touchée en plein cœur par l'histoire d'amour (et les dessins, je vous ai déjà dit que les dessins étaient magnifiques ?) et je recommande chaudement cette BD.
Ma note : 9/10
November 8, 2017
The ending was way stronger than the beginning. Some subplots were not really well handled, and I don't get why there were so many of them in such a short graphic novel. However, the ending was sad and hard hitting.
March 12, 2018
L'évidence ce sont les dessins, magnifiques et intelligents, qui racontent tellement. Légèrement confuse par la narration au début, je me suis laissée conquérir par cette belle histoire complexe et touchante.
December 8, 2019
Encore une histoire sur la deuxième guerre mondiale ? Oui, mais plutôt sur les relations humaines, les secrets on garde, la raison du cœur, l'amour/le souffrance. Franchement je ne voulais pas aimer cet histoire, mais la profondeur m'a convaincu !
May 2, 2022
Lo cotidiano, las dobleces de la vida y la supervivencia de un grupo de mujeres bajo la Segunda Guerra Mundial. Una manera directa y cuidada de mostrar los grises que nos hacen ser.
March 9, 2023
Waouh... mais quelle claque. Mon cœur reste encore déchirée. Parce que je crois, et je suis même sûre, que les histoires d'amour qui marchent le mieux avec moi sont celles qui vont poignardent, qui vous prennent au trippes, sont celles pour lesquelles vous sentez la fin mais ne voulez pas la regarder en face. Et cette BD splendide va bien au-delà.
On suit l'histoire des tous les habitants d'un immeuble. Judith, et Léon, son mari violent et protecteur, Simone et ses envies de liberté, toujours accompagnée de Joséphine, qui se prostitue pour gagner un peu d'argent. Il y a Camille, le père de Simone, plein de bons conseils, d'une gentillesse inégalable, et sa femme André, dure mais touchante. Henriette, cette femme lugubre, sénile, que personne ne comprend vraiment, qui va se révéler petit à petit, et puis Sarah et Anaël, les deux juifs de l'immeuble. Et enfin, ceux que l'on suit le plus : Lucien, et sa mère, Rose, qui, un jour, alors que son mari Raymond est à la guerre, va rencontrer Mark, un soldat allemand, et c'est le coup de foudre. Mais c'est aussi la collaboration horizontale.
Et j'ai vibré avec eux. J'ai vibré aux envies de liberté et d'émancipation de Simone, j'ai vibré aux côtés de Camille qui voit le monde à sa façon, j'ai vibré quand Henriette se dévoilait de plus en plus. Mais surtout j'ai vibré avec Mark et Rose, leur amour naissant, puis leur amour dévorant, un amour que rien ne peut arrêter. Ils se sont aimés éperdument, sans frontière et sans relâche, et c'était magnifique à lire. Les dessins, d'une rare beauté et finesse, dévoilait ces sentiments poétiquement, à travers des illustrations splendides. Et je les ai aimés de tout mon cœur, moi aussi, ces deux tourtereaux éperdus que tout oppose, mais qui, malgré tout, bravent tous ces interdits et ces distances pour quelques moments ensemble.
Mais j'ai eux les larmes aux yeux aussi, le cœur brisé, parce que je le savais, mais je ne voulais pas voir en face. Mais pourtant, c'est une fin splendide, encore une fois d'une rare finesse.
Plus encore, ce livre respecte aussi l'Histoire, cette parenthèse enchantée ne dénature en rien le côté historique, et c'est ce qui le rend d'autant plus intéressant, car on sait qu'il y a des personnes, à cette époque qui ont vécu ça.
Alors, Rose, Mark, mon cœur et mon corps restent avec vous. Je pense que je reviendrai, encore et encore vous rejoindre, vous relire, pour encore une fois observer cet immeuble, ces idéaux, ces habitants, mais surtout vous et votre amour si beau.
On suit l'histoire des tous les habitants d'un immeuble. Judith, et Léon, son mari violent et protecteur, Simone et ses envies de liberté, toujours accompagnée de Joséphine, qui se prostitue pour gagner un peu d'argent. Il y a Camille, le père de Simone, plein de bons conseils, d'une gentillesse inégalable, et sa femme André, dure mais touchante. Henriette, cette femme lugubre, sénile, que personne ne comprend vraiment, qui va se révéler petit à petit, et puis Sarah et Anaël, les deux juifs de l'immeuble. Et enfin, ceux que l'on suit le plus : Lucien, et sa mère, Rose, qui, un jour, alors que son mari Raymond est à la guerre, va rencontrer Mark, un soldat allemand, et c'est le coup de foudre. Mais c'est aussi la collaboration horizontale.
Et j'ai vibré avec eux. J'ai vibré aux envies de liberté et d'émancipation de Simone, j'ai vibré aux côtés de Camille qui voit le monde à sa façon, j'ai vibré quand Henriette se dévoilait de plus en plus. Mais surtout j'ai vibré avec Mark et Rose, leur amour naissant, puis leur amour dévorant, un amour que rien ne peut arrêter. Ils se sont aimés éperdument, sans frontière et sans relâche, et c'était magnifique à lire. Les dessins, d'une rare beauté et finesse, dévoilait ces sentiments poétiquement, à travers des illustrations splendides. Et je les ai aimés de tout mon cœur, moi aussi, ces deux tourtereaux éperdus que tout oppose, mais qui, malgré tout, bravent tous ces interdits et ces distances pour quelques moments ensemble.
Mais j'ai eux les larmes aux yeux aussi, le cœur brisé, parce que je le savais, mais je ne voulais pas voir en face. Mais pourtant, c'est une fin splendide, encore une fois d'une rare finesse.
Plus encore, ce livre respecte aussi l'Histoire, cette parenthèse enchantée ne dénature en rien le côté historique, et c'est ce qui le rend d'autant plus intéressant, car on sait qu'il y a des personnes, à cette époque qui ont vécu ça.
Alors, Rose, Mark, mon cœur et mon corps restent avec vous. Je pense que je reviendrai, encore et encore vous rejoindre, vous relire, pour encore une fois observer cet immeuble, ces idéaux, ces habitants, mais surtout vous et votre amour si beau.
May 23, 2021
Cette BD est un énorme coup de coeur : autant pour l'histoire, que pour les illustrations et la mise en couleurs! L'ensemble est vif et délicat, bouleversant et magnifique.
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Le récit se passe dans le huit-clos d'un immeuble à appartements parisien : on y rencontre Rose, ses voisines et leurs façons d'aborder la vie pendant la seconde guerre mondiale.
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Tous ces personnages forts nous font découvrir le quotidien de l'occupation et ses vicissitudes : le régime pétainiste, l'héroïsme discret, la survie, la délation, la lâcheté, l'entraide, les sentiments, les résistants de la dernière heure, la collaboration horizontale et la condition féminine, à proprement parler.
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En effet, les points de vue féminins y sont très développés et c'est ce qui fait toute la différence!
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On plonge entièrement dans ce récit et on le vit jusqu'à la dernière page, comme si on en faisait partie!
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Bref, j'ai dévoré cet ouvrage, j'ai vécu toutes les émotions possible, il m'habite encore après plusieurs jours et je le relirai avec beaucoup de plaisir.
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Le récit se passe dans le huit-clos d'un immeuble à appartements parisien : on y rencontre Rose, ses voisines et leurs façons d'aborder la vie pendant la seconde guerre mondiale.
.
Tous ces personnages forts nous font découvrir le quotidien de l'occupation et ses vicissitudes : le régime pétainiste, l'héroïsme discret, la survie, la délation, la lâcheté, l'entraide, les sentiments, les résistants de la dernière heure, la collaboration horizontale et la condition féminine, à proprement parler.
.
En effet, les points de vue féminins y sont très développés et c'est ce qui fait toute la différence!
.
On plonge entièrement dans ce récit et on le vit jusqu'à la dernière page, comme si on en faisait partie!
.
Bref, j'ai dévoré cet ouvrage, j'ai vécu toutes les émotions possible, il m'habite encore après plusieurs jours et je le relirai avec beaucoup de plaisir.
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