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Les Louves
« Trop tard, les Loups attaqués, les vieux Loups fatigués de guerres, partirent au combat. Leurs Louves se réfugièrent au fond des tanières, serrant contre elles leurs Louveteaux... »
Comment vit-on lorsqu'on est une femme belge sous l'occupation allemande ? C'est ce que vont apprendre Marcelle et Yvette, deux filles de La Louvière, au cours de ces longues années de guerre. Aux côtés de leurs frères et de leurs parents, elles grandiront jusqu'à devenir peu à peu des femmes soucieuses de préserver leur monde, des Louves prêtes à se battre pour vivre et à vivre pour être elles-mêmes. Si la Seconde Guerre mondiale a laissé d'innombrables séquelles sur les corps des soldats, elle a aussi infligé son lot de tourments au coeur des femmes à l'arrière du front. Flore Balthazar dépeint le quotidien de ces femmes dans cette fresque hautement symbolique inspirée de l'histoire de ses proches. On tremble, on respire, on s'émeut avec elles : les Louves toujours continueront de hurler.
Comment vit-on lorsqu'on est une femme belge sous l'occupation allemande ? C'est ce que vont apprendre Marcelle et Yvette, deux filles de La Louvière, au cours de ces longues années de guerre. Aux côtés de leurs frères et de leurs parents, elles grandiront jusqu'à devenir peu à peu des femmes soucieuses de préserver leur monde, des Louves prêtes à se battre pour vivre et à vivre pour être elles-mêmes. Si la Seconde Guerre mondiale a laissé d'innombrables séquelles sur les corps des soldats, elle a aussi infligé son lot de tourments au coeur des femmes à l'arrière du front. Flore Balthazar dépeint le quotidien de ces femmes dans cette fresque hautement symbolique inspirée de l'histoire de ses proches. On tremble, on respire, on s'émeut avec elles : les Louves toujours continueront de hurler.
200 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 15, 2018
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89 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
August 31, 2018
My thanks to NetGalley and Europe Comics for a review copy of this one.
This is a World-War-II themed graphic novel which is based on a true story (which I only realised later) of the author’s own family, and the diary of young Marcelle Balthazar who is fifteen at the time Poland is conquered and the war begins. In the book we see side-by-side, two storylines, one of the Balthazar family which comprises M. and Mme. Balthazar and their five children of whom Marcelle is the oldest, all studying at school, and M. Balthazar’s mother. When war begins, M. Balthazar is drafted, and Mme Balthazar must look after the family, and along with the other women in her town, take over the jobs that the men are no longer there to do. Alongside moves the storyline of Margurite Clauwaerts (also based on a real life character), school teacher to one of younger Balthazar children, who tells her students to be polite to the occupiers to avoid trouble, but herself is a resistance fighter, helping their men hide, and carrying what they need including ammunitions. While Marcelle’s storyline examines the themes that people living life amidst war must face, that of Margurite is of the dangers that the resistance had to face, and what befell them when they were caught.
This book doesn’t proceed in a continuous narrative, but as a bunch of connected incidents in the wartime, proceeding chronologically but in different time periods from the war’s start to when the town is freed by the Tommies. Many themes are explored, including the actual experiences of people in the war—not ones who were consciously part of the resistance but ones who had to lead daily lives, to look after their children and families in an atmosphere when the ‘enemy’ was in-charge, when rations and supplies were few, where families are forced to be apart, and when dangers were ever present. The Balthazar family is attempting to lead as normal a life as they can, the children continuing with school when they can, doing their daily chores, all the time wondering when their father will be back. The Balthazar children aren’t part of the resistance but they make small forms of protest wearing patriotic symbols and sometimes outsmarting the Germans. Marcelle’s account touches upon these issues and upon issues of gender equality (women having to take up all the work during war but having to go back to just being women after), voting rights (which came for women in Belgium much after England), and about how there were humans and demons (for want of better word) alike on both sides of the equation. One of the most powerful scenes in the book for me was that showing how the captives were no better than their captors when it came to their treatment of the ‘enemy’—something Marcelle rightly questions. Margurite’s story too touches one deeply. On a lighter note, I loved the Tintin and Quick and Flupke references in the book, especially that one character was reading King Ottokar’s Sceptre which is one of my favourite Tintin books. There is a bit (though very little) of adult content (which didn’t feel absolutely necessary for the storyline) and some violence, so this is not a book for younger readers. The wolf art/analogy alongside the humans was effective in making the point the author was trying to, though humans I think are far worse than any of the animal kind. This was certainly an impactful read, which I liked very much, though ‘like’ again is not a word one would use for this theme.
This is a World-War-II themed graphic novel which is based on a true story (which I only realised later) of the author’s own family, and the diary of young Marcelle Balthazar who is fifteen at the time Poland is conquered and the war begins. In the book we see side-by-side, two storylines, one of the Balthazar family which comprises M. and Mme. Balthazar and their five children of whom Marcelle is the oldest, all studying at school, and M. Balthazar’s mother. When war begins, M. Balthazar is drafted, and Mme Balthazar must look after the family, and along with the other women in her town, take over the jobs that the men are no longer there to do. Alongside moves the storyline of Margurite Clauwaerts (also based on a real life character), school teacher to one of younger Balthazar children, who tells her students to be polite to the occupiers to avoid trouble, but herself is a resistance fighter, helping their men hide, and carrying what they need including ammunitions. While Marcelle’s storyline examines the themes that people living life amidst war must face, that of Margurite is of the dangers that the resistance had to face, and what befell them when they were caught.
This book doesn’t proceed in a continuous narrative, but as a bunch of connected incidents in the wartime, proceeding chronologically but in different time periods from the war’s start to when the town is freed by the Tommies. Many themes are explored, including the actual experiences of people in the war—not ones who were consciously part of the resistance but ones who had to lead daily lives, to look after their children and families in an atmosphere when the ‘enemy’ was in-charge, when rations and supplies were few, where families are forced to be apart, and when dangers were ever present. The Balthazar family is attempting to lead as normal a life as they can, the children continuing with school when they can, doing their daily chores, all the time wondering when their father will be back. The Balthazar children aren’t part of the resistance but they make small forms of protest wearing patriotic symbols and sometimes outsmarting the Germans. Marcelle’s account touches upon these issues and upon issues of gender equality (women having to take up all the work during war but having to go back to just being women after), voting rights (which came for women in Belgium much after England), and about how there were humans and demons (for want of better word) alike on both sides of the equation. One of the most powerful scenes in the book for me was that showing how the captives were no better than their captors when it came to their treatment of the ‘enemy’—something Marcelle rightly questions. Margurite’s story too touches one deeply. On a lighter note, I loved the Tintin and Quick and Flupke references in the book, especially that one character was reading King Ottokar’s Sceptre which is one of my favourite Tintin books. There is a bit (though very little) of adult content (which didn’t feel absolutely necessary for the storyline) and some violence, so this is not a book for younger readers. The wolf art/analogy alongside the humans was effective in making the point the author was trying to, though humans I think are far worse than any of the animal kind. This was certainly an impactful read, which I liked very much, though ‘like’ again is not a word one would use for this theme.
August 14, 2018
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this graphic novel in exchange for an honest review.
This is the story of a family living in Belgium during the second World War. It's the story of the struggles they had to face during these terrible and difficult times. I liked the illustrations and a lot of the themes that were dealt with. Sometimes the story was a bit slow and I felt like some scenes weren't really able to capture my attention. I mostly appreciated the teacher's storyline.
This is the story of a family living in Belgium during the second World War. It's the story of the struggles they had to face during these terrible and difficult times. I liked the illustrations and a lot of the themes that were dealt with. Sometimes the story was a bit slow and I felt like some scenes weren't really able to capture my attention. I mostly appreciated the teacher's storyline.
August 16, 2018
Disclaimer: ARC via Netgalley
The author’s note for this graphic novel says that it is a fictional story based on true facts and that some people are real, some note, some names have been changed. The note is hardly needed for the story, for if you know anything about civilian life in the second World War, this story does have the ring of truth.
The story follows a teen aged girl, Marcelle, her family as well as a young teacher, Marguerite, who becomes a subversive in the fight against the Nazis. It is though the trials and tribulations of the family, whose father is missing and who suffer though air raids and shortages, as well as the more active resistance of Marguerite who disturbs a rebellion paper that the cost of being occupied comes home.
Additionally, the story challenges the role of women in Belgian just before the War and during the war. Marcelle and Yvette’s treatment in the family is quite different that of their brothers, in particular with regards to education. Marguerite, too, confronts not only Nazis but misogyny. So, the story presents not only the war, but the change that accelerated or came because of the war.
It is a very powerful story.
The author’s note for this graphic novel says that it is a fictional story based on true facts and that some people are real, some note, some names have been changed. The note is hardly needed for the story, for if you know anything about civilian life in the second World War, this story does have the ring of truth.
The story follows a teen aged girl, Marcelle, her family as well as a young teacher, Marguerite, who becomes a subversive in the fight against the Nazis. It is though the trials and tribulations of the family, whose father is missing and who suffer though air raids and shortages, as well as the more active resistance of Marguerite who disturbs a rebellion paper that the cost of being occupied comes home.
Additionally, the story challenges the role of women in Belgian just before the War and during the war. Marcelle and Yvette’s treatment in the family is quite different that of their brothers, in particular with regards to education. Marguerite, too, confronts not only Nazis but misogyny. So, the story presents not only the war, but the change that accelerated or came because of the war.
It is a very powerful story.
August 7, 2018
I was drawn to this comic book based on it's subject matter; the format of a graphic novel lends itself to this presentation. After a visit to Bruges late last year I got hold of Bastion Bruges: Occupied Bruges in the First World War and subsequently read it about the city's struggles against occupation so close to the Western Front. As with that more academic account "The Wolves of La Louviere looks at the civilian people during a time of German occupation from the build up to war and subsequent invasion. La Louviere is more central in Belgium south-west of Brussels and to the east of Mons. The older people remembered the 1914-18 war and had to endure further hardship.
This book follows a young family in the main and reflects all the events anyone would seek to celebrate but under siege of curfew and air-raids. La Louviere is a mix of industrial and semi rural lands. The family generally make do but struggle a long separation from the husband and father captured and interned by the Germans.
Brought up on 'Secret Army' and the later comedic tales of 'Allo 'Allo! it was good to read of a fiction based on and interwoven with true life stories from Belgium at this time.
I loved the differing understanding of events by the children at various ages and comprehension. I particularly liked the school teacher and her attempts to stay true to her ideals and beliefs. Some collaborated and embraced what appeared to be a permanent change at first; others stayed truer to their own traditions but everyone struggled along the way or faced consequences of their actions in the end.
I found it a deeply interesting and enjoyed the summary where fact and fiction merged.
This book follows a young family in the main and reflects all the events anyone would seek to celebrate but under siege of curfew and air-raids. La Louviere is a mix of industrial and semi rural lands. The family generally make do but struggle a long separation from the husband and father captured and interned by the Germans.
Brought up on 'Secret Army' and the later comedic tales of 'Allo 'Allo! it was good to read of a fiction based on and interwoven with true life stories from Belgium at this time.
I loved the differing understanding of events by the children at various ages and comprehension. I particularly liked the school teacher and her attempts to stay true to her ideals and beliefs. Some collaborated and embraced what appeared to be a permanent change at first; others stayed truer to their own traditions but everyone struggled along the way or faced consequences of their actions in the end.
I found it a deeply interesting and enjoyed the summary where fact and fiction merged.
July 17, 2019
“The Wolves of La Louvière” by Flore Balthazar captivated me with its compelling treatment of such a serious topic in a graphic novel format.
The story begins in Belgium, 1940. The German army is spreading across Europe, and tiny Belgium is conquered in just 18 days. During four long years of Nazi occupation, the villagers of La Louvière try to survive. Their world is poignantly captured in teenage character Marcelle’s journal. A unique account of WWII based on one family’s true experience. Highly recommended!
Pub Date 18 Jul 2018
Thanks to Europe Comics and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are fully mine.
#WolvesOfLaLouvière #NetGalley
The story begins in Belgium, 1940. The German army is spreading across Europe, and tiny Belgium is conquered in just 18 days. During four long years of Nazi occupation, the villagers of La Louvière try to survive. Their world is poignantly captured in teenage character Marcelle’s journal. A unique account of WWII based on one family’s true experience. Highly recommended!
Pub Date 18 Jul 2018
Thanks to Europe Comics and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are fully mine.
#WolvesOfLaLouvière #NetGalley
August 10, 2018
This is a fictionalized account of a real war, or rather it is a graphic novel based on a real war, and real people, as the cartoonist imagines it happened, based on a real girls diary.
Set in Belgium, just before, and just after World War II, this story follows the every day lives of the Balthazar family. Despite the war, despite everything going on around them, when Belgium is invaded, and occupied by Nazis, life goes on. The children go to school. People work. And people spy and resist.
The wolves, of course, are the nazis, but they are in the background, of the day to day lives, up until the Allied forces bomb the heck out of the town they are living in. It is an intersting look at how the citizens continued, or tried to continue on.
The drawings are detailed, and very strong.
It was another look into what people had to go through, and try to live a normal life in war time.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
Set in Belgium, just before, and just after World War II, this story follows the every day lives of the Balthazar family. Despite the war, despite everything going on around them, when Belgium is invaded, and occupied by Nazis, life goes on. The children go to school. People work. And people spy and resist.
The wolves, of course, are the nazis, but they are in the background, of the day to day lives, up until the Allied forces bomb the heck out of the town they are living in. It is an intersting look at how the citizens continued, or tried to continue on.
The drawings are detailed, and very strong.
It was another look into what people had to go through, and try to live a normal life in war time.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
April 25, 2018
Excellente BD.
Il y a malheureusement une erreur dans le nom de l'auteur dans la banque de données sur Goodread, Balthazar ne prend pas de d.
Il y a malheureusement une erreur dans le nom de l'auteur dans la banque de données sur Goodread, Balthazar ne prend pas de d.
August 9, 2018
'The Wolves of La Louviere' by Balthazar Flore is a biographical graphic novel that follows a family in Belgium as they experience the war.
In 1940, the Nazis occupied Belgium in 18 days. In the town of La Louviere, life seems to carry on, but eventually there are noticeable signs. Father goes off to war, food is scarce, and the town has soldiers occupying. A teacher at the school, who seems to be ok with the Nazi occupation, has her own secrets to keep.
The story and art are so charming that it gives the story a disarming nature. This doesn't downplay the story, but rather it makes the survivors seem brave in the face of things. The book ends with some text and photos of the family.
I'm familiar with some of these events from an American or British perspective. I appreciated the story from people who happened to have to live in the midst of such a struggle.
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.
In 1940, the Nazis occupied Belgium in 18 days. In the town of La Louviere, life seems to carry on, but eventually there are noticeable signs. Father goes off to war, food is scarce, and the town has soldiers occupying. A teacher at the school, who seems to be ok with the Nazi occupation, has her own secrets to keep.
The story and art are so charming that it gives the story a disarming nature. This doesn't downplay the story, but rather it makes the survivors seem brave in the face of things. The book ends with some text and photos of the family.
I'm familiar with some of these events from an American or British perspective. I appreciated the story from people who happened to have to live in the midst of such a struggle.
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.
August 10, 2018
This is an excellent graphic novel about a Belgian family who live through the Second World War and the Nazi occupation of Belgium. The Wolves of La Louviere is based on a true story about a family of five children who live through the war. It shows how their day to day life changes and how they adapt to the deprivations of war while still trying to maintain family life. The story also portrays the lives of other people in the small town and this includes both Nazi sympathisers and the Belgian resistance. We get to see how a local school teacher becomes involved in the resistance and how eventually she pays for this with her life. This part of the book is also based on a true story.
As the war progresses the family go through their own sufferings and yet they still managed to have times of joy. The father who joined the Belgian Army is eventually imprisoned in Germany and this is a strain on the family but there are also joyful times when the widowed grandmother gets married again. The story also shows the impact of the war on women and the changes this brings, as women find that they all have to work and do jobs that they may they probably wouldn't have if not for the lack of men. The end of the story ends with women being able to vote and story manages to explore these gender issues without losing the main focus on the occupation. We get to understand how the war brought in all other social changes.
I enjoyed reading this. I thought that it was an excellent portrayal of life under Nazi occupation. At the same time it also portrays the humanity of both the invaders and the liberators, and the impact of the war on all sides. It shows the impact of the war on young people growing into adulthood, and how their lives changed from having plenty before the war to having very little during the war and having to grow their own food and do without.
The eldest daughter also goes through a time of questioning because she has to question her faith in the light of the ravages of war she sees. She also has to question her lack of freedom as a woman and how this could curtail her opportunities after the war.
For me I think the best thing about the story is that it is based on a true story and there are pictures and a commentary at the end. I haven't read many stories that focus on the lives of people under Nazi occupation. I thought the artwork was really good and the story was very interesting.
I think this is definitely one for anybody to read because it is rich storytelling.
Copy provided By Europe comics via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
As the war progresses the family go through their own sufferings and yet they still managed to have times of joy. The father who joined the Belgian Army is eventually imprisoned in Germany and this is a strain on the family but there are also joyful times when the widowed grandmother gets married again. The story also shows the impact of the war on women and the changes this brings, as women find that they all have to work and do jobs that they may they probably wouldn't have if not for the lack of men. The end of the story ends with women being able to vote and story manages to explore these gender issues without losing the main focus on the occupation. We get to understand how the war brought in all other social changes.
I enjoyed reading this. I thought that it was an excellent portrayal of life under Nazi occupation. At the same time it also portrays the humanity of both the invaders and the liberators, and the impact of the war on all sides. It shows the impact of the war on young people growing into adulthood, and how their lives changed from having plenty before the war to having very little during the war and having to grow their own food and do without.
The eldest daughter also goes through a time of questioning because she has to question her faith in the light of the ravages of war she sees. She also has to question her lack of freedom as a woman and how this could curtail her opportunities after the war.
For me I think the best thing about the story is that it is based on a true story and there are pictures and a commentary at the end. I haven't read many stories that focus on the lives of people under Nazi occupation. I thought the artwork was really good and the story was very interesting.
I think this is definitely one for anybody to read because it is rich storytelling.
Copy provided By Europe comics via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
January 8, 2019
The Wolves of La Louvière seemed very interesting, since we do need more war comics that aren't really about the fighting and instead about the humane side, the loss and all. This comic is also about girls and them fighting the oppression in Belgium. Some of the women work more, some attend resistance forces and some do what they do the best, keep their families safe. I like this approach and how we have these different people all just trying to survive and do their best. The info pages at the back were a great add-on to the comic and mostly The Wolves of La Louvière is very understandable in many ways. This also brings us to the problem, since nothing really happens in the comic and it's quite boring in a sense. There are many voices, but we don't get to see and feel them fully, just glimpses here and there. Somehow the comic isn't even about the war, since we don't really see it or even feel and mostly it's just talking about mundane things. This bothers me, since the core has more in it, but Balthazar cannot really blow life into the comic. The focus is out of reach and everything just floats. The whole wolves thing is thin too and not explained.
The art works well with the story line, since the crude and realistic approach works well with the war time imagery. The colors are beautifully faded and sad even, which brings melancholia to the comic and enriches it. Instead of just talking, I wish there had been more action and facial expressions, since the wooden talking heads give hardly anything to the story. The Wolves of La Louvière isn't a bad comic, but interesting with a refreshing idea. It's just not enough to pull this trough, but still.
The art works well with the story line, since the crude and realistic approach works well with the war time imagery. The colors are beautifully faded and sad even, which brings melancholia to the comic and enriches it. Instead of just talking, I wish there had been more action and facial expressions, since the wooden talking heads give hardly anything to the story. The Wolves of La Louvière isn't a bad comic, but interesting with a refreshing idea. It's just not enough to pull this trough, but still.
August 21, 2018
The Wolves of La Louviere*
3.5 starts
The Wolves of La Louviere is a graphic novel which tackles several heavy themes all unfolding during the wretchedness of WWII. It discusses courage, sabotage, equality between the sexes, ethics, patriotism, and humanity. (Not all Germans are Nazi's)
I enjoyed the characters, although sometimes had difficulty telling them apart. It soon became apparent that the story focuses around two female characters. That of Marcelle and Marguerite. I enjoyed the outtakes from Marcelle's diary, and the glimpse into the resistance that was show in Marguerite's storyline.
The addition of photographs and particulars on the real families the novel was fashioned after was a nice touch.
Sincerest thanks to NetGalley & Europe Comics for providing me with a digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 starts
The Wolves of La Louviere is a graphic novel which tackles several heavy themes all unfolding during the wretchedness of WWII. It discusses courage, sabotage, equality between the sexes, ethics, patriotism, and humanity. (Not all Germans are Nazi's)
I enjoyed the characters, although sometimes had difficulty telling them apart. It soon became apparent that the story focuses around two female characters. That of Marcelle and Marguerite. I enjoyed the outtakes from Marcelle's diary, and the glimpse into the resistance that was show in Marguerite's storyline.
The addition of photographs and particulars on the real families the novel was fashioned after was a nice touch.
Sincerest thanks to NetGalley & Europe Comics for providing me with a digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 28, 2018
Excellent graphic novel. It is touching, hopeful, sad and everything inbetween. And most of all, it feels real.
A lot of the little things went straight to my heart, and brought a smile on my face. The mentioning of the "Quick and Flupke" comics being one of them. I also appreciated the multilingual aspect of the story, yes, the bulk of it was translated into English, but still enough French, German and Russian remained.
This story touched me more than I can convey here, being Belgian and having family history very similar to this story:
I received a copy through Netgalley.
A lot of the little things went straight to my heart, and brought a smile on my face. The mentioning of the "Quick and Flupke" comics being one of them. I also appreciated the multilingual aspect of the story, yes, the bulk of it was translated into English, but still enough French, German and Russian remained.
This story touched me more than I can convey here, being Belgian and having family history very similar to this story:
I received a copy through Netgalley.
February 19, 2019
This review originally posted on my blog, Mad Book Love.
While I've long been interested in reading more graphic novels, I haven't found any that appealed (outside of The Walking Dead, which I really enjoy), until now. Historical fiction in this format really works for me. And calling it historical fiction is a bit of a stretch because the story is based on a real family, and much of what takes place actually happened. However, because names were changed and some adjustments made, historical fiction it is.
The illustrations, which are critical in a format that is defined by them, are great. Warm, neutral, natural colors combined with realistic lines gives an appropriate sense of realism to the story. Because the subject matter is rather heavy, it feels important that seriousness be honored graphically, while also instilling a sense of hope. Job well done.
As someone who loves history, and this period in general, I typically find history books to be dry and swamped with military minutiae that makes my eyelids feel heavy. The graphic novel format seems like a fabulous way to talk about critical historical moments, in a memorable and widely accessible way. Definitely hope to see more like this in the future (and to find what already exists!).
Note: I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley. I pride myself on writing fair and honest reviews.
While I've long been interested in reading more graphic novels, I haven't found any that appealed (outside of The Walking Dead, which I really enjoy), until now. Historical fiction in this format really works for me. And calling it historical fiction is a bit of a stretch because the story is based on a real family, and much of what takes place actually happened. However, because names were changed and some adjustments made, historical fiction it is.
The illustrations, which are critical in a format that is defined by them, are great. Warm, neutral, natural colors combined with realistic lines gives an appropriate sense of realism to the story. Because the subject matter is rather heavy, it feels important that seriousness be honored graphically, while also instilling a sense of hope. Job well done.
As someone who loves history, and this period in general, I typically find history books to be dry and swamped with military minutiae that makes my eyelids feel heavy. The graphic novel format seems like a fabulous way to talk about critical historical moments, in a memorable and widely accessible way. Definitely hope to see more like this in the future (and to find what already exists!).
Note: I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley. I pride myself on writing fair and honest reviews.
September 16, 2018
** I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. **
March 24, 1944.
Time is a relative notion: minutes can feel like centuries when you're being bombed. Space is also relative: there's 18 kilometers between Nivelles and La Louviere. In wartime, it took 24 hours for the news to reach me.
Some books are there to hold a position near your heart and remind you of it with every beating of your heart. The wolves of La Louviere is exactly that kind of book. I grab anything that is related with the Second World War. The cover attracted me so and I requested for the protected file and I am very much thankful to netgalley and European Comics to let me have this wonderful read.
Belgium is conquered in only 18 days in 1940 by Germany during WWII and this book contains the story of people, specially the women's survival in that 4 years of Nazi occupation. The young lady Marcelle's journal showed the days and struggle. The most amazing part is Marcelle held other's story as well as well as their choices and at the end of this book the readers discover that the struggle is not any fiction. You heard right. This book is a portrayal of true events.
The illustrations are very vivid yet simple. They perfectly captured the struggles of the families, the parting of the members, the children's mischief, the sorrow, the destruction of the war. The book shows different time periods of the war yet connect them meaningfully. Not all people take part in war, some became a part of war through their daily chores. Balthazer Family from this book portrays that by attending school and work. Women fill in the gaps which men left behind joining the war showed the power and equality of genders.
This book teaches us how protest can be done through small act. I love how the writer questioned if the captives were no better than their captors when it came to their treatment of the ‘enemy’. I love the Tintin reference which makes the book so believable.
This is an impactful read. Though I think there are some contents which are really unnecessary and not relatable with the main plot. Those make the book a bit slow even. Still for a song of dream, the book plays a fair role to give us rays of hope.
"Long live the wind!
Long live the sun!
Long live life!"
September 25, 2018
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The Wolves of La Louvière tells the story of German occupation in Belgium.
First about the art: I have to admit, I didn't care much for it, it was done in a rather simple style, but somehow it also fitted the storyline and the muted colors felt appropriate for a time where you couldn't live to the fullest, but had to keep your head down in order to survive. Still, I would have liked reading it better if the artstyle would have been more advanced.
Most of the story was told in the way of diary writing, but I would have wished for better storytelling. The scenes showed different aspects of occupation life, but it was all over the place and I wished for more in-depth-exploration of certain topics or just a dominant theme that would bind it all together. For example, there is the issue of faith and war, but it's only mentioned a few times and then left unresolved. Or the issue of the moral of resistance fighters...I would have loved some more thoughts and reflection on these topics. The way it was handled, you felt torn into all directions - here a thought, there a thought, but nothing substantial, nothing worth while.
What I really liked, was that the author didn't make it gory at all and the idea of portraying all war-making countries as wolves.
If you are interested in second world war and how people lived in wartime, I would definitely recommend this graphic novel to you, because you can certainly learn about some interesting facts.
The Wolves of La Louvière tells the story of German occupation in Belgium.
First about the art: I have to admit, I didn't care much for it, it was done in a rather simple style, but somehow it also fitted the storyline and the muted colors felt appropriate for a time where you couldn't live to the fullest, but had to keep your head down in order to survive. Still, I would have liked reading it better if the artstyle would have been more advanced.
Most of the story was told in the way of diary writing, but I would have wished for better storytelling. The scenes showed different aspects of occupation life, but it was all over the place and I wished for more in-depth-exploration of certain topics or just a dominant theme that would bind it all together. For example, there is the issue of faith and war, but it's only mentioned a few times and then left unresolved. Or the issue of the moral of resistance fighters...I would have loved some more thoughts and reflection on these topics. The way it was handled, you felt torn into all directions - here a thought, there a thought, but nothing substantial, nothing worth while.
What I really liked, was that the author didn't make it gory at all and the idea of portraying all war-making countries as wolves.
If you are interested in second world war and how people lived in wartime, I would definitely recommend this graphic novel to you, because you can certainly learn about some interesting facts.
August 19, 2018
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I always enjoy reading books dealing with WWII, if enjoy is really even the right word. It's a period of history that I'm very drawn to, and try to learn as much as I can about, because it's such an important part of history. I don't know that there is any other period in history that has had such an impact on the world as this one has, and I hope that stories of the war continue to be published, so that people can continue to be educated and learn so that we never have to go through something like this again.
This story featured a different part of the war that I hadn't known about. I have read civilian stories, but I haven't read any that take place in Belgium. I was drawn to that fact, especially since I have recently been to Belgium, though not the city where this story took place. I really enjoyed the artwork, and the story itself, though it got slightly confusing in a couple of parts where it jumped back and forth between characters. I was glad for the afterward in the back, where it talked about the real people who this story was about, and I loved the photographs as well. And though I did enjoy the artwork, I almost would have liked this to be written as an actual novel so I could learn more of the story, since there were parts of the war I didn't know about. Even so, I still really liked this and did enjoy the medium the author chose.
I always enjoy reading books dealing with WWII, if enjoy is really even the right word. It's a period of history that I'm very drawn to, and try to learn as much as I can about, because it's such an important part of history. I don't know that there is any other period in history that has had such an impact on the world as this one has, and I hope that stories of the war continue to be published, so that people can continue to be educated and learn so that we never have to go through something like this again.
This story featured a different part of the war that I hadn't known about. I have read civilian stories, but I haven't read any that take place in Belgium. I was drawn to that fact, especially since I have recently been to Belgium, though not the city where this story took place. I really enjoyed the artwork, and the story itself, though it got slightly confusing in a couple of parts where it jumped back and forth between characters. I was glad for the afterward in the back, where it talked about the real people who this story was about, and I loved the photographs as well. And though I did enjoy the artwork, I almost would have liked this to be written as an actual novel so I could learn more of the story, since there were parts of the war I didn't know about. Even so, I still really liked this and did enjoy the medium the author chose.
May 17, 2022
This is a semi-autobiographical view of the Nazi-occupied Belgium from the eyes of a family living in La Louviere. The kids go to school, shop, cook, and clean, all while there's a war on. One of the children's teachers is slowly drawn into working for the resistance.
At the end of the book, the Americans finally arrive to save the day, and both sides take their revenge. The side-by-side compare & contrast was very well done. Everyone is always very, very excited to start a war, but no one ever wants to talk about how it ends.
This book is expertly drawn, and a weird reminder of how slow war can be for the occupied.
It's impossible to read this right now without drawing comparisons to what's happening in Ukraine. The Nazis occupying Belgium weren't randomly shooting people left and right in a bourgeois neighborhood the way the Russian occupiers did in eastern Ukraine. I suppose that is how the plot of this book is even possible, as someone had to live long enough to tell the tale. "Wounded animals are the most dangerous." Maybe that's why the Russian military is so casually murderous? There will be books about life in Ukraine during the war, but it is highly unlikely that those books will concern life under occupation since the Russians either kill everyone or forcibly relocate them. I hope to be proven wrong.
At the end of the book, the Americans finally arrive to save the day, and both sides take their revenge. The side-by-side compare & contrast was very well done. Everyone is always very, very excited to start a war, but no one ever wants to talk about how it ends.
This book is expertly drawn, and a weird reminder of how slow war can be for the occupied.
It's impossible to read this right now without drawing comparisons to what's happening in Ukraine. The Nazis occupying Belgium weren't randomly shooting people left and right in a bourgeois neighborhood the way the Russian occupiers did in eastern Ukraine. I suppose that is how the plot of this book is even possible, as someone had to live long enough to tell the tale. "Wounded animals are the most dangerous." Maybe that's why the Russian military is so casually murderous? There will be books about life in Ukraine during the war, but it is highly unlikely that those books will concern life under occupation since the Russians either kill everyone or forcibly relocate them. I hope to be proven wrong.
August 17, 2018
Before beginning this review, I must disclose that I was given an online version of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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REVIEW:
This graphic novel follows the lives of many women as they struggle and come to terms with German Occupation during the course of the Second World War. It not only shows the horrors of war that come with the destruction of the environment around you and the loss of loved ones, but also the beautiful in the everyday. Of coming together to cook meals, of the undertaking of extra chores so a loved one can study for exams, of the basking of the sun and flowers when everything seems so dreary.
At the same time this graphic novel focuses on giving the occupied people of Belgium a voice. Belgium was one of the first countries to be overtaken by the Germans at the outbreak of WWII. A fact that I think sometimes leads others to forget the citizens of Belgium as tales of the French, British, and American soldier are recounted over and over again. The Wolves of La Louviere shines a light on the Belgian people and reminds its readers that war affects many people and that no set of peoples deserves to have their story forgotten.
-----------------------------------
REVIEW:
This graphic novel follows the lives of many women as they struggle and come to terms with German Occupation during the course of the Second World War. It not only shows the horrors of war that come with the destruction of the environment around you and the loss of loved ones, but also the beautiful in the everyday. Of coming together to cook meals, of the undertaking of extra chores so a loved one can study for exams, of the basking of the sun and flowers when everything seems so dreary.
At the same time this graphic novel focuses on giving the occupied people of Belgium a voice. Belgium was one of the first countries to be overtaken by the Germans at the outbreak of WWII. A fact that I think sometimes leads others to forget the citizens of Belgium as tales of the French, British, and American soldier are recounted over and over again. The Wolves of La Louviere shines a light on the Belgian people and reminds its readers that war affects many people and that no set of peoples deserves to have their story forgotten.
August 11, 2018
Esta novela gráfica esta basada en una guerra real y gente real como el autor imagina gracias al diario de una chica.
La historia esta situada en Bélgica previamente, durante y después de la Segunda Guerra Mundial, la novela sigue a la familia Balthazar la cual nos muestra que a pesar de que Bélgica ha sido invadida por los nazis, la vida continúa, la escuela sigue y el trabajo sigue ahí.
Los lobos representan a los nazis, y tienen un rol importante a partir de que las fuerzas Aliadas empiezan bombarder ciudades. Gracias a esto podemos tener distintas perspectivas de los hechos.
Me hubiera encantado ver más de la historia de la maestra, tenía mucho potencial y a mi vista fue desperdiciado.
A veces llegue a sentir que la narración era un poco confusa y era muy fácil confundirse entre personajes. Lo que se lleva mi corazón son las ilustraciones las cuales son hermosas y la paleta de colores va perfecto con la trama.
La historia esta situada en Bélgica previamente, durante y después de la Segunda Guerra Mundial, la novela sigue a la familia Balthazar la cual nos muestra que a pesar de que Bélgica ha sido invadida por los nazis, la vida continúa, la escuela sigue y el trabajo sigue ahí.
Los lobos representan a los nazis, y tienen un rol importante a partir de que las fuerzas Aliadas empiezan bombarder ciudades. Gracias a esto podemos tener distintas perspectivas de los hechos.
Me hubiera encantado ver más de la historia de la maestra, tenía mucho potencial y a mi vista fue desperdiciado.
A veces llegue a sentir que la narración era un poco confusa y era muy fácil confundirse entre personajes. Lo que se lleva mi corazón son las ilustraciones las cuales son hermosas y la paleta de colores va perfecto con la trama.
August 11, 2018
An interesting read, concentrating as it does on civilians with some small link to the Resistance in wartime Nazi-occupied Belgium. I did wonder if there were not too many narrative forms – the panels and texts we get, the diary entries, the chapter-heading talk of metaphorical wolves, samples of radio news, and so on – but on the whole the piece held together just enough. It is a little too bitty, though, to be fully satisfying – however much the author protests in prologue to have changed fiction for the benefit of story, he has still kept quite a lot of the fragmentary veracity of those days, and as a result you don't perhaps get the clearest narrative you could have sought. Still, the artwork, a kind of ligne clair but with added grit, and a lot of grey, is definitely appropriate. Three and a half stars – this wasn't the most entertaining read, but it certainly brought to life an aspect of war neglected by thousands of other books.
September 5, 2018
I received this from NetGalley and the publisher as an eARC in exchange for my honest review and opinion.
WOW. This was beautiful. I honestly do not know where to even begin. The artwork and color pallet was amazing. The story was realistic and filled with passion and emotion. I loved the changing of the fonts between letters, journals, and dialogue. But you know what really hit this home for me? The end of this graphic novel has a full story of what really happened in Belgium. And it was just the historical context and old photographs that topped this off perfectly. I love history as it is, especially Europe in WWII but this was still beautiful in every aspect. I am so glad I picked up this ARC. Anyone who is a fan of WWII history will find themselves falling in love this this raw and human story.
WOW. This was beautiful. I honestly do not know where to even begin. The artwork and color pallet was amazing. The story was realistic and filled with passion and emotion. I loved the changing of the fonts between letters, journals, and dialogue. But you know what really hit this home for me? The end of this graphic novel has a full story of what really happened in Belgium. And it was just the historical context and old photographs that topped this off perfectly. I love history as it is, especially Europe in WWII but this was still beautiful in every aspect. I am so glad I picked up this ARC. Anyone who is a fan of WWII history will find themselves falling in love this this raw and human story.
September 13, 2018
A charmingly illustrated graphic novel, about a Belgian family during WW2, particularly from the teenage girl Marcelle who keeps a journal. It is based on a true story (that of the author's family) and deals with the German occupation of that time and how the locals tried to continue their everyday lives despite that. The wolves of the title are of course the Nazis.
The illustrations are lovely, with a muted palette of colours that fits the period perfectly. The story is strictly for adults though, as there are scenes of sex, abortion, and execution. While it's not a straightforward linear story, more of a collection of scenes from life as the war took effect, it is nevertheless a compelling read. The book ends with an actual account of what happened, accompanied by photographs of the author's family from that time.
Thanks to the publisher for a review copy.
The illustrations are lovely, with a muted palette of colours that fits the period perfectly. The story is strictly for adults though, as there are scenes of sex, abortion, and execution. While it's not a straightforward linear story, more of a collection of scenes from life as the war took effect, it is nevertheless a compelling read. The book ends with an actual account of what happened, accompanied by photographs of the author's family from that time.
Thanks to the publisher for a review copy.
July 27, 2023
March 24, 1944. Time is a relative notion: minutes can feel like centuries when you're being bombed. Space is also relative: there's 18 kilometers between Nivelles and La Louviere. In wartime, it took 24 hours for the news to reach me.
La Louviere, Belgium, 1940.
This is the story of a Belgian family, during the four long years of the Nazi occupation. This part-real and part-fiction story is filled with many instances of hope, survival and a strong will to live.
The graphic illustrations are simple, yet meaningful. They capture the family's intense and deep struggle very well.
La Louviere, Belgium, 1940.
This is the story of a Belgian family, during the four long years of the Nazi occupation. This part-real and part-fiction story is filled with many instances of hope, survival and a strong will to live.
The graphic illustrations are simple, yet meaningful. They capture the family's intense and deep struggle very well.
"Long live the wind!
Long live the sun!
Long live life!"
August 7, 2018
A beautifully illustrated account , largely based on real life people and events, that documents events of the second world war through the diaries of a teenage girl. Marcelle describes both the events of the war at large as well as how that impacts on conditions closer to home. It was interesting to see a story set in Belgium, in fact it is the first I've found. I particularly liked the focus on the day to day life of the townsfolk under the Occupation forces.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.
August 17, 2018
A beautifully done account of life during Occupied France. Wasn't always the easiest to keep track of characters and the action at times as things jumped around occasionally, but all the same, this was a fantastic look at what life was like under the Germans. The wolves metaphor for the Germans and the ongoing state of the war was just perfect and I liked having the one family at the centre of the action, interwoven with the stories of a few others. The art was just stunning too.
Thank you Netgalley for giving me an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you Netgalley for giving me an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 21, 2018
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I found the story line very difficult to follow because of how much it jumped around. Some of the font choice also didn't work for me because it was a little difficult to actually read. Overall this just didn't really work for me.
I found the story line very difficult to follow because of how much it jumped around. Some of the font choice also didn't work for me because it was a little difficult to actually read. Overall this just didn't really work for me.
February 9, 2020
Un roman graphique très bien documenté, qui se concentre sur la seconde guerre mondiale dans une région de Belgique, s’inspirant de faits réels et des souvenirs des ancêtres de l’auteure. Un scénario qui manque parfois de rythme mais ne m’a pas empêchée de beaucoup apprécié cette lecture.
https://anouklibrary.wordpress.com/20...
https://anouklibrary.wordpress.com/20...
January 28, 2023
Deux trajectoires de femmes belges pendant la Seconde Guerre mondiale. Le récit est intéressant et le contexte belge change de ce qu'on voit et lit d'habitude, très franco-centré. Les couleurs sont belles, mais les visages manquent de détails à mon goût, je les ai trouvés peu expressifs.
December 21, 2018
Full review to come!
Want to read
April 25, 2021Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
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