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Simon & Louise #1-2
Simon & Louise: Französische Lektüre für das 2., 3. und 4. Lernjahr
It all begins with a relationship update on social media. Summer vacation is about to begin, and Simon discovers the change just as his supposed girlfriend leaves to spend two months in a seaside village. Determined to find out what went wrong, Simon decides to hitchhike 350 miles to find her. With just his backpack and a few snacks, he sneaks out of the house and hits the road--but he quickly discovers that he isn't quite prepared for the journey. But that's only half the story. Unaware of the miscommunication, Louise is dealing with social challenges of her own. Written and illustrated from both points of view by the award-winning creator of Moose (nominated for an Eisner Award for Teens), this is a story about two people in love and the chaos that happens when technology gets in the way. Simon & Louise is the perfect beach read for fans of This One Summer.
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First published May 3, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
February 27, 2021
Komiks o prvých láskach aj nástrahách ktoré so sebou nielen láska, ale život dospievajúceho ako taký, prináša. Oceňujem spracovanie jeho aj jej pohľadu, ktoré sa občas prelínajú a občas žijú diamentrálne odlišným spôsobom, tak ako to skrátka býva. V období pubertálnej neistoty z takmer každého slova a skutku by som podobný počin určite ocenila.
July 30, 2020
On the first day of summer vacation just before leaving on a family trip, Louise breaks up with Simon online. In the first half, Simon runs away from home to hitchhike across France and find Louise. He has pretty standard road trip adventures. In the second half, we get Louise's perspective as she enjoys her vacation and flirts with some boys.
The ages of the kids are vague -- maybe middle school or early high school? -- but they seem pretty realistic if rather dull and typical. It's probably a relatable story for readers of a younger age than I, but I found it low-key and pointless.
The ages of the kids are vague -- maybe middle school or early high school? -- but they seem pretty realistic if rather dull and typical. It's probably a relatable story for readers of a younger age than I, but I found it low-key and pointless.
October 30, 2019
Simon and Louise are dating, but they won't see each other for two months over summer. Simon sees an update on social media that Louise is single and immediately calls her. He's devastated when she says that her dad won't let them date, so he decides to hitchhike to go visit her and prove her dad wrong. Meanwhile, Louise is figuring out herself and who she wants to date.
Though titled Simon & Louise, very little of this book is actually them interacting. It's more about their individual journeys and how that affects their relationship. While I think this did a good job of tackling the realities of teenage courtship and awkward socializing, I couldn't overlook the lack of consent, how a questioning character is treated, how unlikable Louise was, and how pointless the overall story was.
I'm giving it 2 stars because the illustrations were cute.
Though titled Simon & Louise, very little of this book is actually them interacting. It's more about their individual journeys and how that affects their relationship. While I think this did a good job of tackling the realities of teenage courtship and awkward socializing, I couldn't overlook the lack of consent, how a questioning character is treated, how unlikable Louise was, and how pointless the overall story was.
I'm giving it 2 stars because the illustrations were cute.
December 12, 2020
Vždy budem fandiť tínedžerským knihám, ktoré sú realistické, ale predsa si zachovávajú niečo detské, presne tak ako tento komiks, ktorý kresbou ustáva ešte v detskom svete, ale témou je už dospelácky. Príbehy sú tiež na hrane reality a výmyslu alebo toho, čo by sa mohlo stať a nemuselo so všetkým pozitívnym aj negatívnym.
January 8, 2024
Nice art
Very mediocre story that could have done a lot more. Characters were very flat.
Very mediocre story that could have done a lot more. Characters were very flat.
July 7, 2020
I enjoyed the concept and liked how it is split into two different perspectives, but I didn't really like the peer pressure and lack of accountability involved.
Popsugar Challenge 2020 - A book about or involving social media
Popsugar Challenge 2020 - A book about or involving social media
June 23, 2020
I have mixed feelings on this one. I did like the simplicity of the story and overall I enjoyed reading it, but there were a few spoilery things I didn't love.
Content: language; groping; slaughtering of an animal (not graphic)
2020 challenge: A book about or involving social media (the social media is only at the beginning, but it's what causes the rest of the story, so I'm counting it)
Content: language; groping; slaughtering of an animal (not graphic)
2020 challenge: A book about or involving social media (the social media is only at the beginning, but it's what causes the rest of the story, so I'm counting it)
January 3, 2020
I enjoy browsing the new graphic novels my library gets, and tend to place them on hold based on the cover, without even reading the synopsis. That's what happened here: cute cover? I'm in.
This was a cute little read, the illustrations were simple and precious and I quite enjoyed the story as well, though I would have liked more from Simon and Louise together - it's hard to understand their motivations or feelings when you get barely any interaction between them. But I did enjoy the two different stories, and the art was definitely wonderful.
This was a cute little read, the illustrations were simple and precious and I quite enjoyed the story as well, though I would have liked more from Simon and Louise together - it's hard to understand their motivations or feelings when you get barely any interaction between them. But I did enjoy the two different stories, and the art was definitely wonderful.
August 22, 2019
I think this graphic novel will resonate with the teens. Figuring out relationships is hard and this graphic novel gives some insight into how things can go wrong really quickly. I enjoyed the illustrations.
May 8, 2020
Honestly did not really enjoy anything about this one. The plot is just weird. From hitchhiking to killing sheep to assault. It's a shame because the illustrations, including the cover are really well done.
June 23, 2021
fortuite et si douce.
December 25, 2022
Sehr nett
September 16, 2020
What makes this work so well for me is exactly what makes it a relatively low-rated Goodreads book. Are we really allowed to enjoy a book about kids where they make dumb mistakes without disaster following, or where there isn't an overriding trauma that is ultimately the focus of the whole story? The dual stories of Simon's and Louise's adventures over a particularly eventful summer are going to be too tame for some and too troubling for others. To me, it's because they hit a Goldilocks-like zone of perfection - evoking the threatening and troubling nature of reality without delving into it so deeply that the story becomes psychological horror. Adolescence is full of ambiguous adventures that are scary/delightful to the kids and scary/infuriating to observers.
One of the cool motifs of this book is how young people sometimes come through for each other, with a helping hand, because they understand each other. (The book makes it clear that victimization is also a potential, just not inevitable.) I also like the way it portrays the elasticity of the kids - things happen where you're like, "Wow, that's horrible" but the kids just kind of keep on trucking. The perspective of "Well, that was an adventure" is alive and well in Simon & Louise.
One of the cool motifs of this book is how young people sometimes come through for each other, with a helping hand, because they understand each other. (The book makes it clear that victimization is also a potential, just not inevitable.) I also like the way it portrays the elasticity of the kids - things happen where you're like, "Wow, that's horrible" but the kids just kind of keep on trucking. The perspective of "Well, that was an adventure" is alive and well in Simon & Louise.
September 24, 2019
Ummmmmm sexual assault that is brushed off by everyone? No thanks.
November 18, 2019
Simon & Louise is the sweet, low-key tale of two kids who break up over summer break. Simon tries to win back Louise by desperate means. Louise tries to forget about Simon with some of the other boys in town. Trials and tribulations abound for both characters, but they're never insurmountable. If anything, Simon & Louise is too gentle, showing few consequences for bad decisions. But the book is a pleasant diversion, perfect for summer poolside reading - or a dark November evening when you wish it was summer.
October 22, 2024
Hum j'aime bien la thématique de l'été mais tout est si mal expliqué genre j'espère qu'aucun enfant ne lira ça en pensant que certains comportements sont normaux
November 24, 2024
While away in Montpelier during summer vacation Louise tells Simon that her father won't let her see him anymore. Simon doesn't accept that and heads out to Montpelier to win her back. Adventures both good and bad happen on his way as he hitchhikes for the first time. Simon learns a lot about himself as he meets new people on his journey. Meanwhile Louise and her cousin Manon, who's a bit boy crazy, are having their own adventures. Louise finally realizes that Manon's style doesn't fit her and she breaks away from Manon's influence. She's been questioning breaking up with Simon and is thinking more and more about him as she meets other boys and realizes Simon might be very good for her. Louise and Simon both grow up a bit, learn about life and get through the summer with memories to help them become better people.
January 18, 2020
I picked this up because it is on the YALSA list of best teen graphic novels, and while I really liked the illustration style, the story wasn't my jam.
February 7, 2020
Not terrible, not great. Everything just felt kind of rushed and I don't feel I really got to know either character.
So...yeah
So...yeah
February 7, 2020
An under-the-radar graphic novel translated by Aleshia Jensen. This book was originally published in French as two volumes, and I think it was a super effective decision to combine them into one for the English language version. I found Simon's part of the story, which comes first, to be weaker than Louise's, but the fact that one can jump from from Simon's POV straight into Louise's makes this concept really come together in a interesting, effective way.
At the start of the summer, Louise unexpectedly breaks up with Simon over social media while away on vacation with her family, leaving him heartbroken and confused. Hijinx and a road trip ensue to try to win her back, but his efforts don't get Simon very far, and some strange things happen on the way, including a sheep slaughter...go figure, it's France. (It's not as ominous as it sounds, just not the kind of thing that would normally pop up in a lighthearted American graphic novel).
When we start on Louise's section, we're back at the beginning of the summer, seeing what really went down on her end of things and subverting our expectations of what we think happened, based on Simon's experience of it on his end. Louise's section delves into the subtle nuances of adolescence, of peer pressure and summer flings, and the confusion of not being sure what you really want from your relationships at that age. The ending is even-handed, sweet, and mature.
At the start of the summer, Louise unexpectedly breaks up with Simon over social media while away on vacation with her family, leaving him heartbroken and confused. Hijinx and a road trip ensue to try to win her back, but his efforts don't get Simon very far, and some strange things happen on the way, including a sheep slaughter...go figure, it's France. (It's not as ominous as it sounds, just not the kind of thing that would normally pop up in a lighthearted American graphic novel).
When we start on Louise's section, we're back at the beginning of the summer, seeing what really went down on her end of things and subverting our expectations of what we think happened, based on Simon's experience of it on his end. Louise's section delves into the subtle nuances of adolescence, of peer pressure and summer flings, and the confusion of not being sure what you really want from your relationships at that age. The ending is even-handed, sweet, and mature.
August 31, 2020
Reading 2020
Book(s) 125: Lost Soul, Be At Peace by Maggie Thrash and Simon & Louise by Max de Radigues
Yes, yes, yes, graphic novel reviews coming at you to finish up August. Reviewing these two book together since of the few I read they are closely reviewed for around the same ages.
Lost Soul is a graphic memoir, a follow up to the author's previous graphic novel Honor Girl (reading that in September). Maggie has had big changes in her life and she is depressed. She wanders around her big house mostly alone. Her mother has no idea she is depressed and her father is working all the time. The cat, who is Maggie's only friend, disappears and a ghost appears. What happens from there is quite interesting and the twist at the end surprised me. This book is rated for high school kids ages 14 and older. My rating 4⭐️.
Simon & Louise is a graphic novel reviewed for ages 13 and older. It was a bit weird in its telling of a middle school relationship in limbo as summer break separates them. Louise doesn't know if she really likes Simon, and since her cousin changes her relationship status to single, Louise figures she can spend the summer playing the field. Simon is distraught by the change of events and sets off to find Louise on her vacation and set things straight. Not sure that this book struck a chord with me. My rating 3 ⭐️.
Book(s) 125: Lost Soul, Be At Peace by Maggie Thrash and Simon & Louise by Max de Radigues
Yes, yes, yes, graphic novel reviews coming at you to finish up August. Reviewing these two book together since of the few I read they are closely reviewed for around the same ages.
Lost Soul is a graphic memoir, a follow up to the author's previous graphic novel Honor Girl (reading that in September). Maggie has had big changes in her life and she is depressed. She wanders around her big house mostly alone. Her mother has no idea she is depressed and her father is working all the time. The cat, who is Maggie's only friend, disappears and a ghost appears. What happens from there is quite interesting and the twist at the end surprised me. This book is rated for high school kids ages 14 and older. My rating 4⭐️.
Simon & Louise is a graphic novel reviewed for ages 13 and older. It was a bit weird in its telling of a middle school relationship in limbo as summer break separates them. Louise doesn't know if she really likes Simon, and since her cousin changes her relationship status to single, Louise figures she can spend the summer playing the field. Simon is distraught by the change of events and sets off to find Louise on her vacation and set things straight. Not sure that this book struck a chord with me. My rating 3 ⭐️.
December 29, 2023
La fin de l'année scolaire est finie et c'est le départ pour les vacances. Simon et Louise vont devoir se séparer le temps d'un été pour partir chacun de son côté. Simon est très amoureux de Louise. Il serait prêt à tout pour elle. Alors quand il voit sur Facebook, que Louise change son statut pour mettre qu'elle est célibataire, c'est le drame. Il ne comprend pas ce qu'il se passe, elle ne répond plus à ses messages. Pourquoi son père lui interdit d'avoir un amoureux ?
Il va alors se mettre en route pour aller la retrouver à Montpellier et lui prouver son amour.
Il s'agit d'une bande dessinée qui regroupe deux tomes déjà sortis séparément.
J'ai apprécié l'histoire qui nous montre le point de vue des deux protagonistes, d'avoir leur ressenti, leurs préoccupations.
L'amour quand on est adolescent est tellement spontanée, naïf, que Simon est prêt à tout pour rejoindre Louise, il n'a pas pensé une seule seconde aux dangers auxquels il pourrait être confronté.
J'ai aimé les illustrations, elles sont très expressives.
Il va alors se mettre en route pour aller la retrouver à Montpellier et lui prouver son amour.
Il s'agit d'une bande dessinée qui regroupe deux tomes déjà sortis séparément.
J'ai apprécié l'histoire qui nous montre le point de vue des deux protagonistes, d'avoir leur ressenti, leurs préoccupations.
L'amour quand on est adolescent est tellement spontanée, naïf, que Simon est prêt à tout pour rejoindre Louise, il n'a pas pensé une seule seconde aux dangers auxquels il pourrait être confronté.
J'ai aimé les illustrations, elles sont très expressives.
November 9, 2021
Ah, young love.
It's the last day of school prior to summer break. Louise is going to Montpelier and Simon is staying home. They promise to stay in touch - and how much they'll miss each other. But then Simon's checking Louise's Facebook status and it says she's single?! He tries texting her and she responds her father thinks she's too young to date. So he decides to hitchhike to see her, having various adventures on the road.
On the other end of the story, Louise's cousin changes Louise's status to "single" on her Facebook page because what girl wouldn't want to be single when there are all these hot boys around? And Manon keeps pushing Louise to date with her because she's found a summer fling...
It's the last day of school prior to summer break. Louise is going to Montpelier and Simon is staying home. They promise to stay in touch - and how much they'll miss each other. But then Simon's checking Louise's Facebook status and it says she's single?! He tries texting her and she responds her father thinks she's too young to date. So he decides to hitchhike to see her, having various adventures on the road.
On the other end of the story, Louise's cousin changes Louise's status to "single" on her Facebook page because what girl wouldn't want to be single when there are all these hot boys around? And Manon keeps pushing Louise to date with her because she's found a summer fling...
June 27, 2020
Eu quis ler pelos desenhos (eu conheci o Max de Radigues no Centre Pompidou no ano passado e eu achei seus cadernos de esboço muito divertidos com os animaizinhos e o estilo meio infantil). A parte da Louise lembra um pouco os filmes de verão do Rohmer, mas essas histórias são mais pra adolescente/criança mesmo, não me interessaram tanto mas pra uma leitura rápida foi legal (mas parabéns pela precisão nesses jovens classe media alta genéricos franceses e suas maneiras). Eu gostei dos quadros de ambientação que ele faz, os lugares e paisagens em grande plano e sem personagens, o jeito de desenhar as árvores e montanhas e também os peixes fofinhos.
August 9, 2020
This is a near perfect summertime read for middle schoolers who have experienced a first love relationship. Simon and Louise are boyfriend/girlfriend and it is the start of summer and they must separate because Louise goes away with her family for two months, but within a couple days Louise breaks up with Simon and he decides to hitch hike to find her and win her back but it doesn't go as Simon plans. The first half of the break up is from Simon's perspective and then the last half belongs to Louise, which shows the truth of the break up. The language is PG-13, but it this story has an honest feel to it and young readers of realistic fiction will appreciate it.
August 18, 2020
3.5 stars. The school year ends and Simon and his girlfriend, Louise part. When he sees on social media that they are no longer a couple, that is news to him. So Simon sets out on a journey to visit Louise and put their relationship to rights. Louise is dealing with her own issues on her end, and we get to see situations from both perspectives. The art was clean and lovely, but I was horrified by all the hitchhiking! I'm guessing this is a cultural thing?
July 11, 2023
trigger warning
Summer holidays start with Louise changing her relationship status on single, and Simon is determined to travel to Montpellier, where she is on vacation, to change her mind.
The first part of this is from his point of view, while in the second one we get to see what happens on Louise's end onf things.
Was exactly what I was in the mood for.
Summer holidays start with Louise changing her relationship status on single, and Simon is determined to travel to Montpellier, where she is on vacation, to change her mind.
The first part of this is from his point of view, while in the second one we get to see what happens on Louise's end onf things.
Was exactly what I was in the mood for.
April 11, 2025
The cool thing about this book is that it tells a story first from one character's perspective, then from the other. It is the story of a young couple, apart for the summer, and the adventures that they each have while apart and split up. Both of them make some questionable choices (Simon hitchhiking, Louise following her cousin instead of her own better judgement) but seem to get straightened out in the end.
It is a very short and quick read.
It is a very short and quick read.
June 30, 2020
Une histoire d'amour entre deux adolescents, vue sous les deux points de vue de Simon et Louise.
Assez innovant et intéressant de faire cela en deux tomes, cela permet d'installer deux ambiances, deux paysages différents. J'ai bien aimé leur histoire, cela me rappelle les sentiments amoureux éphémères quand on est adolescent pendant l'été. Plutôt sympa !
Assez innovant et intéressant de faire cela en deux tomes, cela permet d'installer deux ambiances, deux paysages différents. J'ai bien aimé leur histoire, cela me rappelle les sentiments amoureux éphémères quand on est adolescent pendant l'été. Plutôt sympa !
September 25, 2020
I love de Radigues's work more and more... I love the two perspectives here, and the two very different adventures the titular characters went on, and how they both are able to grow a little bit as people by the end and still connect with each other. It's sweet and genuine and feels like it could have really happened. Very nice.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews