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Louis e i suoi fantasmi
Dopo il sorprendente Jane, la volpe & io, un altro capolavoro fatto di parole e immagini profonde e lievi. Louis ha undici anni, una madre che ha paura di tutto, un padre che piange quando beve troppo e un fratellino, Funghetto, che ha chiamato il suo procione Michael Jackson. Louis vorrebbe dichiarare il suo amore a Billie, indipendente e solitaria… peccato che la timidezza lo paralizzi ogni volta che la vede. Durante un'estate tormentata e piena di emozioni, Louis scoprirà finalmente che cosa significa la parola "coraggio". «I fantasmi di Louis sono le incertezze che lo paralizzano, le paure che lo perseguitano. La vita di un bambino che sta diventando adolescente in una storia delicata e piena di luce.»
160 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2012
15 people are currently reading
1253 people want to read
About the author
Fanny Britt
39 books345 followersFanny Britt is a Quebec playwright, author and translator. She has written a dozen plays (among them Honey Pie, Hôtel Pacifique and Bienveillance) and translated more than fifteen. She has also written and translated several other works of literature. Jane, the Fox and Me is her first graphic novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 412 reviews
August 2, 2018
In this powerful new graphic novel from Fanny Britt and Isabelle Arsenault, we meet Louis, a young boy who shuttles between his alcoholic dad and his anxious mom, and who, with the help of his best friend, tries to summon up the courage to speak to his true love, Billie.
I've been eyeing Fanny Britt's work for awhile now, so I jumped on the opportunity to read her newest release in collaboration with Isabelle Arsenault's vivid and evocative art. Plus, the promise of exploring a topic as critical and crucial as having an alcoholic parent in graphic novel format had me on my toes.
Speaking of which, here's some pieces that had the same heart-stopping effect on me:
The shop window in the background had me hypnotized.
I weeped when he described her as “a gorgeous cactus.” Nothing but the highest of compliments.
All this to say that the author and illustrator have really outdone themselves with this one. Both the art and the accompanying text had me encompassed within the graphic novel. The tone and themes explored in here delivered everything I wanted, from love to hatred to indifference and so much more.
I'm eager to see what Fanny Britt and Isabelle Arsenault will collaborate on next; you can count on me to keep up.
ARC kindly provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication: October 1st, 2017
3.5/5 stars
Note: I'm an Amazon Affiliate. If you're interested in buying Louis Undercover, just click on the image below to go through my link. I'll make a small commission!
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I've been eyeing Fanny Britt's work for awhile now, so I jumped on the opportunity to read her newest release in collaboration with Isabelle Arsenault's vivid and evocative art. Plus, the promise of exploring a topic as critical and crucial as having an alcoholic parent in graphic novel format had me on my toes.
Speaking of which, here's some pieces that had the same heart-stopping effect on me:
The shop window in the background had me hypnotized.
I weeped when he described her as “a gorgeous cactus.” Nothing but the highest of compliments.
All this to say that the author and illustrator have really outdone themselves with this one. Both the art and the accompanying text had me encompassed within the graphic novel. The tone and themes explored in here delivered everything I wanted, from love to hatred to indifference and so much more.
I'm eager to see what Fanny Britt and Isabelle Arsenault will collaborate on next; you can count on me to keep up.
ARC kindly provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication: October 1st, 2017
3.5/5 stars
Note: I'm an Amazon Affiliate. If you're interested in buying Louis Undercover, just click on the image below to go through my link. I'll make a small commission!
Support creators you love. Buy a Coffee for nat (bookspoils) with Ko-fi.com/bookspoils
January 23, 2020
I had never read a story so tender and disarming ... What a wonder, what a joy; the possibility that love will continue despite our frailty, sins and mistakes.
A mother and a father, who rediscover and relive a love they thought was over, thanks to the unexpected of everyday life.
I firmly believe that mistakes and fear should not be the ultimate and only condemnation of giving up love.
A family embraced by a desire for esteem and rebirth.
One of the most beautiful drawings I’ve ever seen in a graphic novel!!
Una storia così tenera e disarmante non l' avevo mai letta.... che meraviglia, che gioia; la possibilità che l' amore continui nonostante le nostra fragilità, peccati ed errori.
Un madre ed un padre, che si riscoprono e rivivono un amore che pensavano finito, grazie agli imprevisti del quotidiano.
Credo fermamente che gli errori e gli sbagli non debbano essere la condanna ultima e unica rinunciare ad un amore.
Una famiglia abbracciata da desiderio di stima e rinascita.
Disegni tra i piu belli che abbia mai visto in una graphic novel!!
A mother and a father, who rediscover and relive a love they thought was over, thanks to the unexpected of everyday life.
I firmly believe that mistakes and fear should not be the ultimate and only condemnation of giving up love.
A family embraced by a desire for esteem and rebirth.
One of the most beautiful drawings I’ve ever seen in a graphic novel!!
Una storia così tenera e disarmante non l' avevo mai letta.... che meraviglia, che gioia; la possibilità che l' amore continui nonostante le nostra fragilità, peccati ed errori.
Un madre ed un padre, che si riscoprono e rivivono un amore che pensavano finito, grazie agli imprevisti del quotidiano.
Credo fermamente che gli errori e gli sbagli non debbano essere la condanna ultima e unica rinunciare ad un amore.
Una famiglia abbracciata da desiderio di stima e rinascita.
Disegni tra i piu belli che abbia mai visto in una graphic novel!!
March 28, 2019
This is a beautiful book, sad too, looking in on a family torn apart by the dad's drink problem. We see their everyday life now that mum has had to move out and lives in a flat. We see dad trying and failing, I hope things go well for this family, I think some hope was hinted at the end. Isabelle Arsenault's illustrations are exquisite as usual. Beautiful subtle colours, mainly sepia but some pale turquoise and lime green on some images that contain hope. I love the way that even some empty bottles are made into a beautiful image with Arsenault's magic pencil. I really liked the way different styles of handwriting were used for different people speaking. I laughed at the scene of mum cutting a fringe, regretting it and then growing it out again! The story was touching and sad and realistic, I would love to see a sequel where some of these problems are sorted out.
December 9, 2017
Louis Undercover is the second book I am reading by the team (playwright) Fanny Britt, Isabelle Arsenault (illustrator), and translators Christelle Morelli and Susan Ouriou. The first was Fanny, The Fox and Me, which I thought was loving, poetic and puzzling. The best of books make you work to connect the dots, and that one, about a girl who is bullied for being fat, connects in somewhat vague? poetic? ways with Jane Eyre, and a fox. I liked it.
This one, Louis Undercover, does a better job, (or I do a better job for myself) connecting some different dots, seemingly disparate images/elements, in the way of lyric poetry: A loving and sweet and tearful Dad, his alcoholism and the heart-breaking separation it creates, a sweet sad Mom, music, a rescued raccoon, puppy love, and two kids (Louis and Truffle) experiencing all this. Images communicate as much or more than the words, which is always good. It begins with a tear and ends with a smile; that sounds trite, but it really isn't at all. It earns it.
It's really beautiful, visually, that's the first thing to notice about the book, it's a gorgeous, gorgeous artifact. The second thing to notice is that the family is sweet, including the Dad; there is so much love and broken-ness and strength here. So much empathy for them in their struggles. Such anguish that kids (and parents, caregivers, and grandparents) can relate to. The third thing is about the connection between Mom and Dad's love and the crush Louis feels for Billie. The strength/fragility and inexpressibility of those feelings, that love. Do you still pursue love when you know things often fall apart?
This feels like poetry on so many levels, and I hope this team continues work on their subtle, emotional approach to storytelling. The book is for kids, (maybe tweens are the best audience, as kids need these books, but I really also think this is an all-ages book. You don't stop reading and learning from picture books just because the kids are grown, or if you don't have kids, or whatever! Anyone who loves art and thoughtful, sensitive stories would love this, and especially those families struggling or having struggled with alcohol/drug issues. There's not clear resolution, which I loved in this book. Sometimes you don't know if everything is going to work out. It reminded me of the children's picture book artist Michael Rosen's Sad Book, about his own struggles with grief over the death of his son. We need these books.
This one, Louis Undercover, does a better job, (or I do a better job for myself) connecting some different dots, seemingly disparate images/elements, in the way of lyric poetry: A loving and sweet and tearful Dad, his alcoholism and the heart-breaking separation it creates, a sweet sad Mom, music, a rescued raccoon, puppy love, and two kids (Louis and Truffle) experiencing all this. Images communicate as much or more than the words, which is always good. It begins with a tear and ends with a smile; that sounds trite, but it really isn't at all. It earns it.
It's really beautiful, visually, that's the first thing to notice about the book, it's a gorgeous, gorgeous artifact. The second thing to notice is that the family is sweet, including the Dad; there is so much love and broken-ness and strength here. So much empathy for them in their struggles. Such anguish that kids (and parents, caregivers, and grandparents) can relate to. The third thing is about the connection between Mom and Dad's love and the crush Louis feels for Billie. The strength/fragility and inexpressibility of those feelings, that love. Do you still pursue love when you know things often fall apart?
This feels like poetry on so many levels, and I hope this team continues work on their subtle, emotional approach to storytelling. The book is for kids, (maybe tweens are the best audience, as kids need these books, but I really also think this is an all-ages book. You don't stop reading and learning from picture books just because the kids are grown, or if you don't have kids, or whatever! Anyone who loves art and thoughtful, sensitive stories would love this, and especially those families struggling or having struggled with alcohol/drug issues. There's not clear resolution, which I loved in this book. Sometimes you don't know if everything is going to work out. It reminded me of the children's picture book artist Michael Rosen's Sad Book, about his own struggles with grief over the death of his son. We need these books.
April 16, 2020
I picked this seemingly innocuous book up at the library only to find that while aimed at middle grades, it deals with a young boy navigating adolescence along with his parents' divorce. We soon find out that the divorce is caused by his father's drinking problem.
A heavy topic handled with ease and empathy towards all of the characters.
The drawings use pastels and grays and are easy on the eyes which is good since the topic is heavy on the heart.
A heavy topic handled with ease and empathy towards all of the characters.
The drawings use pastels and grays and are easy on the eyes which is good since the topic is heavy on the heart.
March 26, 2019
Ok, I'm in love with this graphic novel, it is absolutely stunning, the writing feels like poetry, it's written so beautifully and the illustrations are gut-wrenching! With themes touching on first love, alcoholism and separation, it is both subtle and clever in it's storytelling.
Oh to be described as a 'gorgeous cactus'! <3
Oh to be described as a 'gorgeous cactus'! <3
December 8, 2020
quelle douce histoire 💫. c’est triste et beau à la fois. c’est malheureux et poétique. puis que dire des illustrations et de la plume 🪶 de l’auteure. c’est difficile à lire; j’ai eu le cœur gros, mais c’est grand en même temps et ça vaut amplement la peine d’être lu et relu. c’est histoire de peines, de courage et de grands apprentissages. c’est à lire une journée fraîche d’automne ou bien emmitouflé un après-midi d’hiver. surtout, c’est à lire en prenant son temps et en appréciant chaque mot ainsi que chaque image 💭
May 4, 2017
Les images, wow!! L'histoire en tant que telle était charmante, mais un peu éparpillée. Bref, une lecture très agréable (ou non, par moments difficiles), qui vaut le détour. Et un si beau livre!
January 4, 2018
Sensational artwork inspired by a heartbreaking story.
January 9, 2019
Dad cries and drinks and Louis longs for Billie... love isn’t easy at any age but worth a try anyway. Really moving story told as much via Arsenault’s hauntingly beautiful illustrations as by the text. The book layout itself is beautiful too, with some drawings occupying double page spreads and chapter breaks for pacing.
February 6, 2017
Tellement un beau livre! J'ai adoré feuilleter ces grandes pages colorées en me laissant bercer par l'histoire. Triste par moment, heureux par d'autre ... Mais surtout doux et magnifique. On aime :)
August 2, 2021
Une lecture douce et tellement en beauté!
February 26, 2017
20/20
Cet album doit être le plus beau du monde. Il me touche en plein coeur, me bouleverse par sa beauté, sa poésie, sa mélancolie. Isabelle Arsenault est une magicienne qui, avec ses crayons, me transporte dans un univers qui marque ma vie d’une façon unique au monde.
Ma chronique : https://myprettybooks.wordpress.com/2...
Cet album doit être le plus beau du monde. Il me touche en plein coeur, me bouleverse par sa beauté, sa poésie, sa mélancolie. Isabelle Arsenault est une magicienne qui, avec ses crayons, me transporte dans un univers qui marque ma vie d’une façon unique au monde.
Ma chronique : https://myprettybooks.wordpress.com/2...
December 24, 2016
Ce roman graphique est magnifique. C'est beau d'un bout à l'autre. Tant le sujet et son traitement que les illustrations douces et évocatrices d'Isabelle Arsenault. Une réussite totale.
October 1, 2017
Questo libro ha il pregio di saper commuovere con delicatezza. La voce narrante è quella di Louis, di undici anni, che ci racconta della sua estate e del padre che è un alcolista. I disegni della Arsenault avvolgono gli occhi in un vortice di matite e acquerelli, mentre le parole della Britt ci parlano con franchezza della ferita dell'adolescenza, del saper prendersi cura, del diventare grandi imparando a "sentire" il mondo. Da leggere, e poi leggere ancora.
November 20, 2016
Un autre album réussi par Fanny Britt et Isabelle Arsenault. À lire!
January 30, 2023
Unique, touching, and sad graphic novel that is hopeful yet realistic in its depiction of a struggling, addicted parent and the family he leaves behind.
December 25, 2020
We like the family in this book, and it is sad to experience their suffering. Should be required reading for an adolescent living with an alcoholic in their life. Illustrations are top notch.
December 10, 2018
This is one beautiful book. The illustrations, the colors, the poetry, the dreaminess. I loved Truffle, the narrator's little brother, and the raccoon is splendid though he's only got a bit part.
There is much to appreciate and admire here.
And yet, something in it leaves me feeling uneasy. The equation of a man crying while drinking to "sensitivity", if that is something that is happening in here. I'm not entirely sure. But the narrator of this book, a boy who is maybe twelve or thirteen? seems to want to take his father's tears and make of them a kind of heroism.
Maybe it is the ambiguity of the dedication that unnerves me. "For our brave, sensitive men."
I am all for sensitivity regardless of gender, and all for for a shift away from the idea "masculine" should = "unemotional" and toward many more tender masculinities. I want to live in a world in which masculine people aren't hazed in a way that tries to force emotional presence, complexity, and honesty out of them.
But masculine sensitivity is complex, particularly if it is a sensitivity made largely of self-absorption and if the problem of entitlement is not addressed. Cis men without self-awareness in a patriarchal world are dangerous regardless of how "sensitive" they are. Lots of abusive men cry after physically harming their loved ones. Does that make them sensitive? If so, is their sensitivity necessarily a good thing? Or, you know, Nazi's were known to cry over Wagner. Perhaps some especially cried over Wagner while drinking. It didn't stop them being Nazis.
Here is a more personal story. There is a person I was entangled with for a few years, an alcoholic transmasculine friend (who uses she/her pronouns) who I was unhealthily enmeshed with and who I spent a lot of time, effort, and resources caretaking. She was cruel when sober and when drunk cried and told me how much she loved me. Is she sensitive? Maybe. Is that why she cries tears of love and remorse when drunk? I don't think so, but who knows. Does sensitivity, if she is in fact sensitive, make her a less toxic person to be around? Not that I know of. Certainly not for me.
Why am I saying this? What does this have to do with a kid's graphic poem/novel about living among these complicated dynamics between his alcoholic father and his somewhat super-heroic cookie-baking mother? Or, what is a better way to talk about this?
I don't know. But here are some questions I have: Who is the father when sober? Who is he when drunk? What are his defining qualities? What kind of partner was he? What kind of father is he? Does he ever show up in any consistent way for his relationships? Is he depressed? Is drinking self-medicating? If so, how might a book address that with compassion but without idealization? Does this book do that?
I don't really get a sense of the father outside of his being the kind of alcoholic whose emotionality is seductive and manipulative. Does his sensitivity becomes a heroic qualities in the story? Or is it much more complicated than that?
And who is the mother outside of caretaker of children and heart-broken lover of the alcoholic father of her children? Other than anxious and provident "home-making" parent? The one who holds all the pieces of their lives together though perhaps, at times, by holding on a little too tight...
The dynamics in here are familiar. The poor, "sensitive", impractical, "out of control" alcoholic father who repeatedly makes promises he doesn't keep (though in the end he does go to rehab. So, who knows where that will lead.) The harried, practical, holding-everything-together mother.
As this is from the perspective of a kid, I'm tempted to brush all the things I find problematic in here aside. At least the book doesn't turn the charismatic drunk father into a hero and paint the more "strict," "controlling" mother as villain. But it seems that the parents are unable to be fully present for their kids partly because they are so unhealthily drawn to each other. And then the narrator, a very young teenager, gets lost in long self-absorbed fantasies with lots and lots of feelings about a girl he barely knows and in the end is rewarded for this. I just found it a bit concerning. Emotional insobriety passed from one generation to the next...And emotional insobriety isn't the same as emotional presence. Just as sensitivity isn't the same as emotional accountability.
So, yeah, this is a beautiful book in many ways, and one whose narrative I imagine works differently for different readers. I have no idea, for example, what it would feel like to be a kid reading this book. But I do find some of the messages that kind of idealize and reward masculine self-absorption (reframed as "sensitivity"?) worrisome.
There is much to appreciate and admire here.
And yet, something in it leaves me feeling uneasy. The equation of a man crying while drinking to "sensitivity", if that is something that is happening in here. I'm not entirely sure. But the narrator of this book, a boy who is maybe twelve or thirteen? seems to want to take his father's tears and make of them a kind of heroism.
Maybe it is the ambiguity of the dedication that unnerves me. "For our brave, sensitive men."
I am all for sensitivity regardless of gender, and all for for a shift away from the idea "masculine" should = "unemotional" and toward many more tender masculinities. I want to live in a world in which masculine people aren't hazed in a way that tries to force emotional presence, complexity, and honesty out of them.
But masculine sensitivity is complex, particularly if it is a sensitivity made largely of self-absorption and if the problem of entitlement is not addressed. Cis men without self-awareness in a patriarchal world are dangerous regardless of how "sensitive" they are. Lots of abusive men cry after physically harming their loved ones. Does that make them sensitive? If so, is their sensitivity necessarily a good thing? Or, you know, Nazi's were known to cry over Wagner. Perhaps some especially cried over Wagner while drinking. It didn't stop them being Nazis.
Here is a more personal story. There is a person I was entangled with for a few years, an alcoholic transmasculine friend (who uses she/her pronouns) who I was unhealthily enmeshed with and who I spent a lot of time, effort, and resources caretaking. She was cruel when sober and when drunk cried and told me how much she loved me. Is she sensitive? Maybe. Is that why she cries tears of love and remorse when drunk? I don't think so, but who knows. Does sensitivity, if she is in fact sensitive, make her a less toxic person to be around? Not that I know of. Certainly not for me.
Why am I saying this? What does this have to do with a kid's graphic poem/novel about living among these complicated dynamics between his alcoholic father and his somewhat super-heroic cookie-baking mother? Or, what is a better way to talk about this?
I don't know. But here are some questions I have: Who is the father when sober? Who is he when drunk? What are his defining qualities? What kind of partner was he? What kind of father is he? Does he ever show up in any consistent way for his relationships? Is he depressed? Is drinking self-medicating? If so, how might a book address that with compassion but without idealization? Does this book do that?
I don't really get a sense of the father outside of his being the kind of alcoholic whose emotionality is seductive and manipulative. Does his sensitivity becomes a heroic qualities in the story? Or is it much more complicated than that?
And who is the mother outside of caretaker of children and heart-broken lover of the alcoholic father of her children? Other than anxious and provident "home-making" parent? The one who holds all the pieces of their lives together though perhaps, at times, by holding on a little too tight...
The dynamics in here are familiar. The poor, "sensitive", impractical, "out of control" alcoholic father who repeatedly makes promises he doesn't keep (though in the end he does go to rehab. So, who knows where that will lead.) The harried, practical, holding-everything-together mother.
As this is from the perspective of a kid, I'm tempted to brush all the things I find problematic in here aside. At least the book doesn't turn the charismatic drunk father into a hero and paint the more "strict," "controlling" mother as villain. But it seems that the parents are unable to be fully present for their kids partly because they are so unhealthily drawn to each other. And then the narrator, a very young teenager, gets lost in long self-absorbed fantasies with lots and lots of feelings about a girl he barely knows and in the end is rewarded for this. I just found it a bit concerning. Emotional insobriety passed from one generation to the next...And emotional insobriety isn't the same as emotional presence. Just as sensitivity isn't the same as emotional accountability.
So, yeah, this is a beautiful book in many ways, and one whose narrative I imagine works differently for different readers. I have no idea, for example, what it would feel like to be a kid reading this book. But I do find some of the messages that kind of idealize and reward masculine self-absorption (reframed as "sensitivity"?) worrisome.
February 16, 2017
Qu'est-ce que je peux dire?
Non mais sérieusement.
Tu dis quoi aux gens quand tu refermes un livre et que tu laisses planer un silence d'église, parce que t'as besoin que chaque page que tu viens de lire puisse entendre et comprendre ton amour et ton profond respect?
Aux gens, tu peux rien leur dire, à part de le lire aussi.
"Louis parmi les spectres" a le pouvoir de te faire très mal, que tu sois prévenu(e). Parfois tu pourras avoir l'impression d'être une pomme d'amour en plein milieu d'une fête foraine, tu te laisseras enrober, t'auras pas peur. Mais tu vois pas que les gens vont quand même se péter les dents en te croquant. Cette histoire, c'est exactement ça. Une fois passée la couche de sucre, ça fait très mal. Pourtant c'est bon. C'est merveilleusement bon, même.
Entre un père alcoolique, amateur de jazz et d'amour triste sous fond de bouteille et une mère surprotectrice qui essaie tant bien que mal de pas disparaître derrière son inquiétude, Louis et Truffe, son p'tit frère, tentent de rester des enfants. T'imagines bien que c'est compliqué. Que ça pique les yeux. Mais ils y arrivent, au fond, à garder cette innocence, cette foi. Cet amour pour le monde et les gens.
Le texte de Fanny Britt est souvent bouleversant, en quelques mots elle joue au lasso avec ton palpitant. Et de son côté, Isabelle Arsenault t'emmène dans un rodéo tout pâle, tout doux. Histoire que tu tombes pas trop fort quand même.
On va vivre parmi les spectres, oui. Parmi nos fantômes. Mais tu sais quoi? Louis et Truffe, ils t'apprennent à plus avoir peur. Parce qu'il y aura toujours demain.
Non mais sérieusement.
Tu dis quoi aux gens quand tu refermes un livre et que tu laisses planer un silence d'église, parce que t'as besoin que chaque page que tu viens de lire puisse entendre et comprendre ton amour et ton profond respect?
Aux gens, tu peux rien leur dire, à part de le lire aussi.
"Louis parmi les spectres" a le pouvoir de te faire très mal, que tu sois prévenu(e). Parfois tu pourras avoir l'impression d'être une pomme d'amour en plein milieu d'une fête foraine, tu te laisseras enrober, t'auras pas peur. Mais tu vois pas que les gens vont quand même se péter les dents en te croquant. Cette histoire, c'est exactement ça. Une fois passée la couche de sucre, ça fait très mal. Pourtant c'est bon. C'est merveilleusement bon, même.
Entre un père alcoolique, amateur de jazz et d'amour triste sous fond de bouteille et une mère surprotectrice qui essaie tant bien que mal de pas disparaître derrière son inquiétude, Louis et Truffe, son p'tit frère, tentent de rester des enfants. T'imagines bien que c'est compliqué. Que ça pique les yeux. Mais ils y arrivent, au fond, à garder cette innocence, cette foi. Cet amour pour le monde et les gens.
Le texte de Fanny Britt est souvent bouleversant, en quelques mots elle joue au lasso avec ton palpitant. Et de son côté, Isabelle Arsenault t'emmène dans un rodéo tout pâle, tout doux. Histoire que tu tombes pas trop fort quand même.
On va vivre parmi les spectres, oui. Parmi nos fantômes. Mais tu sais quoi? Louis et Truffe, ils t'apprennent à plus avoir peur. Parce qu'il y aura toujours demain.
June 3, 2018
I found Louis Undercover to be a pretty moving book. I really enjoyed the story and watching Louis' point of view of how his parent's separation affected him. Louis was definitely going through a lot in his home life and attempted to find hope and happiness through a crush he has at school(Billie). He doesn't believe in love because of how his parent's relationship ended. But, Louis still wants to try and show her that he likes her, even though they don't talk. This is very brave of Louis because it shows that although his parent's ending was upsetting, it doesn't stop him from attempting to give love to others.
I liked the details that the author included about Louis' crush on Billie. For example, how Louis notices how her appearance changes on the day to day. Plus, he is inspired by her willing to stand up for the bullies at school, and Louis takes interest in the quirks about her like how her glasses slip down a little bit when she's upset. The author also had very clear and strong details about how Louis' parents are dealing with their struggles and what it does to him. Louis often stays up at night and listens to them cry, as his father is often drunk and is quite emotional because of it. He stays up listening to their fights and watches them secretly, like he's undercover. The drawings and images in the book feel very unique and more real to the story because they can be messy during the sad parts and clear during the happy parts.
I would definitely include this book in my future classroom. I thoroughly enjoyed it and it wasn't a very difficult read. Although, I think that some of these concepts in the book, like Louis' dad being an alcoholic, is very real for many children and could potentially trigger some upsetting thoughts from home. I think that the target audience in this book would be 8 through 12 year old children. I would introduce this book to students who may be going through similar experiences to show them that they are not alone and that there are options for them to continue on in happiness and patience with their home life. This could also be a beneficial book for children who have friends whose parents are divorcing, and how they could be empathetic and helpful to their friends to help them stay positive, especially through the hard parts.
I liked the details that the author included about Louis' crush on Billie. For example, how Louis notices how her appearance changes on the day to day. Plus, he is inspired by her willing to stand up for the bullies at school, and Louis takes interest in the quirks about her like how her glasses slip down a little bit when she's upset. The author also had very clear and strong details about how Louis' parents are dealing with their struggles and what it does to him. Louis often stays up at night and listens to them cry, as his father is often drunk and is quite emotional because of it. He stays up listening to their fights and watches them secretly, like he's undercover. The drawings and images in the book feel very unique and more real to the story because they can be messy during the sad parts and clear during the happy parts.
I would definitely include this book in my future classroom. I thoroughly enjoyed it and it wasn't a very difficult read. Although, I think that some of these concepts in the book, like Louis' dad being an alcoholic, is very real for many children and could potentially trigger some upsetting thoughts from home. I think that the target audience in this book would be 8 through 12 year old children. I would introduce this book to students who may be going through similar experiences to show them that they are not alone and that there are options for them to continue on in happiness and patience with their home life. This could also be a beneficial book for children who have friends whose parents are divorcing, and how they could be empathetic and helpful to their friends to help them stay positive, especially through the hard parts.
May 31, 2018
The book, Louis Undercover is an emotional story that focuses on Louis’s reactions to big struggles, such as fright and his parents’ struggling marriage due to alcoholism. The book is a relatable story for intermediate kids or young adults, because it shares tales of a young boy slowly growing older.
The drawings in this graphic novel are amazing. I like that I can tell the emotions of Louis by the way that the drawings are presented. When the mother and father are happy or sad, you can always tell from the way they are drawn and the colors presented in the background. When there’s a joyous moment, it’s always presented by the color yellow, and when there’s a moment of sadness or melancholy, it is surrounded by darkness. When there’s a moment where characters are frozen with an emotion, you can look upon the drawing presented and feel what the characters are feeling. The graphic novel has an amazing way of presenting emotion to the reader.
One of the major things I enjoy about this graphic novel book is the way that it portrays the thoughts and words of the characters of a family wanting to start over and try again. The events in the book involve the two parents trying to start a new life, yet are always going backwards due to unfortunate events in their lives. This book is a great read for intermediate students and adults who are interested in a story filled with emotional scenes, laughable moments, and a unique coming-of-age story.
The drawings in this graphic novel are amazing. I like that I can tell the emotions of Louis by the way that the drawings are presented. When the mother and father are happy or sad, you can always tell from the way they are drawn and the colors presented in the background. When there’s a joyous moment, it’s always presented by the color yellow, and when there’s a moment of sadness or melancholy, it is surrounded by darkness. When there’s a moment where characters are frozen with an emotion, you can look upon the drawing presented and feel what the characters are feeling. The graphic novel has an amazing way of presenting emotion to the reader.
One of the major things I enjoy about this graphic novel book is the way that it portrays the thoughts and words of the characters of a family wanting to start over and try again. The events in the book involve the two parents trying to start a new life, yet are always going backwards due to unfortunate events in their lives. This book is a great read for intermediate students and adults who are interested in a story filled with emotional scenes, laughable moments, and a unique coming-of-age story.
June 13, 2017
I don't read many graphic novels so I was caught off-guard by how the story was so touching and moving. Louis knows the reason his parents don't live together anymore is because of his father's alcohol addiction. He's a perceptive boy who can see that this is tearing his mother apart inside. Along with Louis experiencing the ups and downs of having an alcoholic parent, he also is struggling with finding the courage to talk to his "true love" crush at school.
It is amazing how so much can be conveyed in so few words. The illustrations work beautifully with the story line. While this graphic novel might be aimed towards the middle grade age range, adults might actually take a little bit more away from the story, having already experienced what it is like to be a kid. I cannot recommend this book enough.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review. All views expressed in this review are my honest opinion.
It is amazing how so much can be conveyed in so few words. The illustrations work beautifully with the story line. While this graphic novel might be aimed towards the middle grade age range, adults might actually take a little bit more away from the story, having already experienced what it is like to be a kid. I cannot recommend this book enough.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review. All views expressed in this review are my honest opinion.
September 29, 2017
this was super cute.
the art is just amazing, I loved it so much. the story was pretty good as well, but I did think it could be more developed towards the end. still, such a lovely read.
full review here: https://catshelf.wordpress.com/2017/0...
the art is just amazing, I loved it so much. the story was pretty good as well, but I did think it could be more developed towards the end. still, such a lovely read.
full review here: https://catshelf.wordpress.com/2017/0...
January 15, 2018
I'm a huge fan of Isabelle Arsenault's picture book work, so this was an easy sell for me. Beautiful to look at, soft, dreamy--and a slim, poetic story about a small time in a small boy's life. Sweetly suitable for most ages, I think, which perhaps leaves the adult reader (or, left me) wanting just a little more.
August 20, 2020
I enjoyed this a lot. Truffle was a cutie. I guess this is an older kid's perspective of how his father's addiction affects their family.
I like that there wasn't an cohesive "ending" to Louis's dad's alcholism. You know, it could go either way... But the childlike approach to a heavy subject was great and would be fine for young readers too
I like that there wasn't an cohesive "ending" to Louis's dad's alcholism. You know, it could go either way... But the childlike approach to a heavy subject was great and would be fine for young readers too
February 4, 2017
L'histoire et les dessins se chevauchent avec une beauté, une belle sensibilité. C'est une histoire qui anime en chacun l'espoir, le courage, l'amour, l'amitié. Bravo!
January 16, 2018
Brilliantly done! The story is superbly told, spot-on, and the illustrations match it perfectly. Beautiful!
I recommend this to anyone from teens-100 years old.
I recommend this to anyone from teens-100 years old.
December 1, 2021
JUST FOUND OUT WHY THIS ART LOOKS SO FAMILIAR!!!!! 😍😍😍 turns out its the same author & illustrator for jane, the fox & me. ackkk no wonder!!! ((gave 4/5 for that one if youre wondering))
anyways excitement aside, this graphic novel focuses on an alcoholic father - a delicate portrait of a young boy and his broken family. just another deep telling of a complex story with truly lovely art illustrations not to be missed.
however, i couldnt understand some metaphors used and its a lil bit too much for my poor brain :") but generally really enjoyed looking through the art and truly love the intention of this book on family relationships.
anyways excitement aside, this graphic novel focuses on an alcoholic father - a delicate portrait of a young boy and his broken family. just another deep telling of a complex story with truly lovely art illustrations not to be missed.
however, i couldnt understand some metaphors used and its a lil bit too much for my poor brain :") but generally really enjoyed looking through the art and truly love the intention of this book on family relationships.
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