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African Trilogy
Turntable
Virtuoso Belgian violinist Eugène Ysaÿe is invited out to the Congo by the governor to give a concert. How could he refuse such an invitation? Eugène waves goodbye to the infamous gray Belgian skies and hops on a plane taking him to the dazzling colors of Africa. He is invited to stay a few weeks at his nephew's house, by the stunning Lake Maï Ndombé. And that's where he meets Turntable. Through their mutual appreciation of music, the servant and the celebrity gradually form an unlikely friendship, breaking the boundaries of convention.
Kindle Edition
First published June 13, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
May 27, 2018
I have read a few Europe Comics in recent times and I have loved most of them. “Turntable” by Zidrou and Raphael Beuchot is no exception. Based on the true story of Belgian violinist and composer Eugene Ysaye’s trip to Africa, Turntable is a breezy read.
The book begins with Ysaye saying goodbye to his very young wife as he leaves to give a concert in Leopoldville (Kinshasa today) in the Congo. But he lands with a stiff neck and ends up with a neck brace, which delays the concert. He stays with his first wife’s nephew at his sprawling bungalow by the lake and the story unfolds over the next few days as he recuperates.
Ysaye is soon introduced to Turntable, one of the helpers at the bungalow, whose sole job is to play music. At first he is aghast at the very concept of a person employed solely to change records on the turntable but over the next two days he slowly gets used to the idea. Enough to begin conversing with Turntable as equals. From there Ysaye slowly gets more acquainted with the lives of the natives and, eventually, becomes their friend.
A very quick read, Turntable has beautiful illustrations that support the story’s setting. The theme is not new but I still felt uplifted when, one by one, Ysaye’s notions about Africans were dispelled. Above all, he forms a kinship through music with Turntable whose father’s vast record collection astounds him. And similar to Henri, Ysaye’s precious violin that he doesn’t allow anybody to touch, Turntable is very possessive about his records too.
I enjoyed reading this thoughtful yet easy-to-read story that explores colonialism with sensitivity, allowing for compassion from both sides.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me this ARC for a review!
The book begins with Ysaye saying goodbye to his very young wife as he leaves to give a concert in Leopoldville (Kinshasa today) in the Congo. But he lands with a stiff neck and ends up with a neck brace, which delays the concert. He stays with his first wife’s nephew at his sprawling bungalow by the lake and the story unfolds over the next few days as he recuperates.
Ysaye is soon introduced to Turntable, one of the helpers at the bungalow, whose sole job is to play music. At first he is aghast at the very concept of a person employed solely to change records on the turntable but over the next two days he slowly gets used to the idea. Enough to begin conversing with Turntable as equals. From there Ysaye slowly gets more acquainted with the lives of the natives and, eventually, becomes their friend.
A very quick read, Turntable has beautiful illustrations that support the story’s setting. The theme is not new but I still felt uplifted when, one by one, Ysaye’s notions about Africans were dispelled. Above all, he forms a kinship through music with Turntable whose father’s vast record collection astounds him. And similar to Henri, Ysaye’s precious violin that he doesn’t allow anybody to touch, Turntable is very possessive about his records too.
I enjoyed reading this thoughtful yet easy-to-read story that explores colonialism with sensitivity, allowing for compassion from both sides.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me this ARC for a review!
April 14, 2018
A man called Turntable has spent his life serving his Belgian colonial masters in the Congo. His sole duty is to play records on the turntable for the people he serves. He has been doing this since he was a child. He knows what music to play and when to play it because he listens to the story the music tells.
When the Belgian violinist Eugène Ysaÿe visits his nephew in the Congo he is surprised to meet Turntable. What surprises him is not the arrogance of colonial life in the Congo, but that Turntable has such a deep appreciation of music and a gifted abilty to interpret the music he hears. The two men form a shared appreciation of music which subverts the power relationship between colonialists and their servants.
This man with no learning, little power and no name, has developed an appreciation for music that Eugène's students dont even have. Despite serving a colonialist, Turntable has become gifted and values his life and his role. He now has something beautiful to share with others and despite his circumstances he has become gifted.
The story is actially told from the perspective of Eugene but the true beauty of the story lies with Turntable.
The artwork is lovely and the story is poignant. Once again Zidrou tells a beautiful story by means of beautiful graphics. It is a story that leaves the reader thinking.
Copy provided by Europe Comics via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
When the Belgian violinist Eugène Ysaÿe visits his nephew in the Congo he is surprised to meet Turntable. What surprises him is not the arrogance of colonial life in the Congo, but that Turntable has such a deep appreciation of music and a gifted abilty to interpret the music he hears. The two men form a shared appreciation of music which subverts the power relationship between colonialists and their servants.
This man with no learning, little power and no name, has developed an appreciation for music that Eugène's students dont even have. Despite serving a colonialist, Turntable has become gifted and values his life and his role. He now has something beautiful to share with others and despite his circumstances he has become gifted.
The story is actially told from the perspective of Eugene but the true beauty of the story lies with Turntable.
The artwork is lovely and the story is poignant. Once again Zidrou tells a beautiful story by means of beautiful graphics. It is a story that leaves the reader thinking.
Copy provided by Europe Comics via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
April 25, 2018
This is a story of colonialism. This is the story of white people oblivious to the world around them. This is a story of the Belgium Congo, and a musician from the "home country" who is amazed at what he sees around him, including a man, a servant, whose only job it is is to run the phonograph, the turn table, because, at the time, the only records are 78s, which only last a short time, before the music runs out.
My mother had those type of records. They were thick and broke if you dropped them, and the music lasted, as I recall, about 15 minutes, before you either had to turn them over, or find another record to play.
Because Eugène, the musician, is an outsider, only he sees how absurd this all is. And because the servant, named Turntable, and he both share a love of music, the bond. He is not used to the colonist way of staying away from the servants, and ignoring them, and even walks into Turntable's village to witness the birth of his child.
It is a sad, thoughtful piece of writing, showing colonist power, but also the power of music.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
My mother had those type of records. They were thick and broke if you dropped them, and the music lasted, as I recall, about 15 minutes, before you either had to turn them over, or find another record to play.
Because Eugène, the musician, is an outsider, only he sees how absurd this all is. And because the servant, named Turntable, and he both share a love of music, the bond. He is not used to the colonist way of staying away from the servants, and ignoring them, and even walks into Turntable's village to witness the birth of his child.
It is a sad, thoughtful piece of writing, showing colonist power, but also the power of music.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
September 5, 2015
Vorig jaar moest ik nog aan een jonge collega uitleggen wat een B-kantje van een single is. Een mens zou bijna vergeten dat veel jongeren nooit een naald op een LP hebben doen neerdalen om 20 minuten muziek te aanhoren. Deze strip deed me hier aan denken. De platenspeler in kwestie betreft namelijk geen toestel maar een Congolees die voor een Belgische familie al tientallen jaren in dienst is als een soort deejay avant-la-lettre.
Wanneer de wereldbekende violist en componist Eugène Ysaÿe naar Belgisch Congo afreist om een recital te spelen ter gelegenheid van de honderdste verjaardag van de Belgische onafhankelijkheid maakt hij van de gelegenheid gebruik om te logeren bij de neef van zijn eerste echtgenote aan het Leopold II-meer. Daar maakt hij kennis met de platenspeler.
Deze ontmoeting levert boeiende lectuur op maar het had véél meer kunnen zijn geweest. Enerzijds is er niet de diepgang en impact van de vorige samenwerking tussen Zidrou en Beuchot, anderzijds is het tekenwerk ook een stuk minder, wat stijver.
Na zo'n parel als het ontroerende'De Verhalenverteller' stelt dit lichtjes teleur maar dit is verre van een slechte strip, als lezer deed het me gewoon wat minder.
Wanneer de wereldbekende violist en componist Eugène Ysaÿe naar Belgisch Congo afreist om een recital te spelen ter gelegenheid van de honderdste verjaardag van de Belgische onafhankelijkheid maakt hij van de gelegenheid gebruik om te logeren bij de neef van zijn eerste echtgenote aan het Leopold II-meer. Daar maakt hij kennis met de platenspeler.
Deze ontmoeting levert boeiende lectuur op maar het had véél meer kunnen zijn geweest. Enerzijds is er niet de diepgang en impact van de vorige samenwerking tussen Zidrou en Beuchot, anderzijds is het tekenwerk ook een stuk minder, wat stijver.
Na zo'n parel als het ontroerende'De Verhalenverteller' stelt dit lichtjes teleur maar dit is verre van een slechte strip, als lezer deed het me gewoon wat minder.
May 30, 2019
'Turntable' by Zidrou with art by Raphael Beuchot is a graphic novel about a Belgian violinist visiting the Congo. I found it a charming story.
When Belgian violinist Eugène Ysaÿe is invited to the Congo to give a concert, he also sees it as a chance to visit his nephew. An ailment postpones the concert and leaves him wearing a neckbrace. At his nephew's house, he meets a man named Turntable who is in charge of winding the turntable and playing music. Eugene finds there is more to Turntable than meets the eye. Eugene finds depth and friendship in a man that many simply overlook.
I really enjoyed this moving story of a man out of his element who learns to see others with new eyes. The art is really nice. This story will stay with me for a while.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Europe Comics and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
When Belgian violinist Eugène Ysaÿe is invited to the Congo to give a concert, he also sees it as a chance to visit his nephew. An ailment postpones the concert and leaves him wearing a neckbrace. At his nephew's house, he meets a man named Turntable who is in charge of winding the turntable and playing music. Eugene finds there is more to Turntable than meets the eye. Eugene finds depth and friendship in a man that many simply overlook.
I really enjoyed this moving story of a man out of his element who learns to see others with new eyes. The art is really nice. This story will stay with me for a while.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Europe Comics and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
February 3, 2024
200×267mm ¦ D.L. 06/2014 = eo(noté)
I've become acquainted with some quality writing from Zidrou that worked against him here because I expected to be able to understand which "literary devices" he was employing instead of finishing annoyingly uncertain of what certain ... "stood for". An easy to explain example would be the cuckold lion that stuck around his old territory since it seemed that he had some connection with the passed~his~prime main character despite the latter retaining a faithful young second wife after the death of his first. So death -not the usual youth/indifference- was the thief? The Dutchman would be the better fit yet there seemed no intention. Then, the serious neck injury must have some sort of sub_surface significance, but I'm clueless and didn't even understand how it happened.
Still, it's a nice story with interesting characters that's seen in illuministicly refreshing painting worthy of the impressively majestic African setting!
I've become acquainted with some quality writing from Zidrou that worked against him here because I expected to be able to understand which "literary devices" he was employing instead of finishing annoyingly uncertain of what certain ... "stood for". An easy to explain example would be the cuckold lion that stuck around his old territory since it seemed that he had some connection with the passed~his~prime main character despite the latter retaining a faithful young second wife after the death of his first. So death -not the usual youth/indifference- was the thief? The Dutchman would be the better fit yet there seemed no intention. Then, the serious neck injury must have some sort of sub_surface significance, but I'm clueless and didn't even understand how it happened.
Still, it's a nice story with interesting characters that's seen in illuministicly refreshing painting worthy of the impressively majestic African setting!
January 21, 2022
Con la ternura típica de Zidrou, se nos cuenta la historia ficticia de un protagonista histórico, el violinista Eugene Ysaye, al que se le conoció como el Zar, y su viaje al Congo colonizado.
El autor belga siempre imprime humanidad a sus personajes y esta vez no es una excepción; entre el músico y un sirviente de la hacienda donde pasa unas semanas nace una relación de amistad sustentada por el amor a la música que sienten ambos.
Sin hacer de la critica sobre el colonialismo su bandera (lo que igual para algunos es razón para tachar a este libro de paternalista o algo peor), se nos ofrece una sutil panorámica de los actores, la relaciones personales y los conflictos internos producto de la invasión colonial.
Merece la pena por todo lo anterior y su inspirado dibujo, que alcanza cotas maravillosas en varias páginas completas.
El autor belga siempre imprime humanidad a sus personajes y esta vez no es una excepción; entre el músico y un sirviente de la hacienda donde pasa unas semanas nace una relación de amistad sustentada por el amor a la música que sienten ambos.
Sin hacer de la critica sobre el colonialismo su bandera (lo que igual para algunos es razón para tachar a este libro de paternalista o algo peor), se nos ofrece una sutil panorámica de los actores, la relaciones personales y los conflictos internos producto de la invasión colonial.
Merece la pena por todo lo anterior y su inspirado dibujo, que alcanza cotas maravillosas en varias páginas completas.
April 16, 2018
A violinist and classical music expert travels to the Belgian Congo in the old days of empire, and instead of the ignorance and kowtowing to him going on, finds an unlikely kinship with a native employed solely to care for and play vinyl records. The atmosphere and the artwork were finely wrought, as were some great dream sequences, but I can't say the whole thing grabbed me. Pleasant enough, but not quite as impactful as I might have hoped.
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January 29, 2018Spet mal tistega neprijetnega ozračja, med superiorno belo raso in črnci kot služabniki, ko se belci obnašajo kt da je vse njihovo, čeprov so v Afriki... mi pa ni bla zgodba tolk všeč...
Edino spet je bil en fin moment - k je naredu koncert s svojo violino v vasi med preprostimi ljudmi in ne v veliki dvorani za belce, ki so ga sploh povabili v Afriko za to da bi jim igral, to je blo pa krasno.
Edino spet je bil en fin moment - k je naredu koncert s svojo violino v vasi med preprostimi ljudmi in ne v veliki dvorani za belce, ki so ga sploh povabili v Afriko za to da bi jim igral, to je blo pa krasno.
December 15, 2020
Deep down, behind every piece of music, there is a love story.
September 13, 2021
Tierna historia ambientada en el Congo belga que describe la relación entre un músico europeo y un africano amante de la música.
September 9, 2024
Beautiful.
October 1, 2024
En el libro pasan pocas cosas, pero es agradable de leer, entretenido.
October 2, 2015
Violist Eugène Ysaÿe neemt afscheid van zijn tweede, en veel jongere, echtgenote. Het vertrekt naar het vliegveld voor een reis naar Belgisch Congo en krijgt in het vliegtuig meteen een merkwaardige ontmoeting met Norbert van Haverbeeck. Behalve een ongevraagde vriend houdt Eugène er ook een stijve nek eraan over, waardoor hij niet de gemaakte afspraken kan nakomen. Ja, 21 juli 1930 zal hij niet snel vergeten.
Op het landgoed van zijn neef Lucien krijgt hij de kans te herstellen en geniet ondertussen, zoverre zijn nek dat toelaat, van het landschap en de muziek van zijn neef. Hier ontmoet Eugène hij een werknemer genaamd Platenspeler. Deze man waakt over de 78-toerenplaten collectie en mag als enige de platen afspelen. Een vriendschap ontstaan door hun liefde voor klassieke muziek.
Violist Eugène Ysaÿe heeft daadwerkelijk bestaan en trouwde inderdaad op zijn zeventigste met de 36-jarige Jeanette Dincin. Hij was een man die hield van het goede leven maar keek wel eens te diep in het glas.
Op internet valt niet terug te vinden of de man ook inderdaad in Afrika is geweest, maar de auteurs hebben een prachtig verhaal gecreëerd waarin twee mensen uit twee totaal verschillende continenten en standen een vriendschap opbouwen. Voor ons is het tegenwoordig moeilijk voor te stellen dat een blanke superieur is aan een donker gekleurd iemand. De Platenspeler laat zien hoe vanzelfsprekend deze gedachten waren en waarin een vriendschap tussen blank en zwart ondenkbaar was.
De eenvoudige tekeningen en de zachte inkleuring passen perfect bij de sfeer van dit tijdperk.
Het auteursduo Zidrou-Beuchot hebben een schitterend verhaal gecreëerd en behoort absoluut tot de verzameling volwassen stripalbums dat een plaats verdient in de boekenkast.
Wout Jut
Op het landgoed van zijn neef Lucien krijgt hij de kans te herstellen en geniet ondertussen, zoverre zijn nek dat toelaat, van het landschap en de muziek van zijn neef. Hier ontmoet Eugène hij een werknemer genaamd Platenspeler. Deze man waakt over de 78-toerenplaten collectie en mag als enige de platen afspelen. Een vriendschap ontstaan door hun liefde voor klassieke muziek.
Violist Eugène Ysaÿe heeft daadwerkelijk bestaan en trouwde inderdaad op zijn zeventigste met de 36-jarige Jeanette Dincin. Hij was een man die hield van het goede leven maar keek wel eens te diep in het glas.
Op internet valt niet terug te vinden of de man ook inderdaad in Afrika is geweest, maar de auteurs hebben een prachtig verhaal gecreëerd waarin twee mensen uit twee totaal verschillende continenten en standen een vriendschap opbouwen. Voor ons is het tegenwoordig moeilijk voor te stellen dat een blanke superieur is aan een donker gekleurd iemand. De Platenspeler laat zien hoe vanzelfsprekend deze gedachten waren en waarin een vriendschap tussen blank en zwart ondenkbaar was.
De eenvoudige tekeningen en de zachte inkleuring passen perfect bij de sfeer van dit tijdperk.
Het auteursduo Zidrou-Beuchot hebben een schitterend verhaal gecreëerd en behoort absoluut tot de verzameling volwassen stripalbums dat een plaats verdient in de boekenkast.
Wout Jut
February 10, 2016
Een mooi verhaal, hoe muziek mensen van verschillende afkomst verbindt, zonder alles wat er in de kolonie gebeurde goed te praten
March 9, 2017
La beauté de la simplicité <3
January 23, 2019
Un mot : superbe.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews