Je Ne Sais Quoi: The Adventures of a French Woman in London

by Lucie Arnoux

A funny, heartfelt graphic memoir about living in foreign countries, and finding one's place both at home and abroad. In this delightful graphic novel, Lucie Arnoux chronicles her adventures around the world. Growing up in Marseille as a misfit with a passion for drawing, she decides to settle in London to pursue her dream career as a comics writer. Je Ne Sais Quoi shows us London through the eyes of a mischievous and clear-sighted young French woman, the joys and pains of being an outsider and, ultimately, how to live life to its fullest.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Memoir, Nonfiction, Comics, Biography, Bande Dessinée, LGBT

96 pages, Hardcover

First published January 27, 2023

Reviews

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a charming graphic novel / memoir, with plenty of heart and humour. There's a lot packed in with 9 panels per page - it's more like little vignettes from Lucie's life than a single narrative, and Lucie's love for life and enthusiasm for trying new things feels uplifting and inspiring.

[Joana Andrade · Rating 4 out of 5]

An author to keep an eye on

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, free-spirited and adventurous!

[Joakim Jurvakainen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kauniisti kuvitettu, tykkäsin että koko sarjakuvan ajan oli sama ruutujako, se oli musta kauhean viehättävä.

Omaelämänkerrallisista sarjakuvista pidän valtavasti, mutta tämä ei iskenyt. En osaa sanoa et miksi

[Simon Chadwick · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first glance, there's something immediately captivating about Je Ne Sais Quoi. Lucie Arnoux's beautifully coloured, heavily detailed cover gets your attention from the get-go. What's more, despite being in English, it's presented in the European album format, hinting at the theme of duality that so infuses the book. That's the cover judged – so what about the book?

These are collected recollections and experiences of a French-born Anglophile. Having grown up in Marseille, Lucie feels out-of-place at school and in the community at large. It's not until a school trip to London as a teenager that her eyes are opened to the prospects of moving away. And so, that's what she does. All she needs to do is find somewhere to live, complete her studies, find work, and master the language. Piece of cake...is one of the many colloquialisms she has to get to grips with.

Lucie shares a plethora of personal moments as she discovers her own many and varied skills, loves, disappointments, travels and a multitude of knick-knacks, doodads and thingamies that she can't possibly part with. And a lot of books. This largely non-linear telling draws you close, made all the richer for Lucie's gorgeously created comic pages – every one is a delight. Her eye for colour enhances every single spread, making a witty and warm memoir something altogether more mesmerising.

The honesty and immediacy never feel uncomfortable or false but refreshing and relatable. This may be a fish-out-of-water story of one woman's change of culture but the challenges and doubts she experiences will no doubt chime with many a reader.

By the end you can't help but like Lucie tremendously – even feel that you know her rather than just her illustrations upon a page. As fa as memoirs go, that must be the desired outcome, and she deserves to be very pleased indeed with what she's created.

[Adrian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like things. I often hear: "everything I own could fit in a suitcase", "simplicity is inner peace."

In that case, there's something very wrong with me. When I moved to London, I only had a backpack with the essentials. That was until I discovered: charity shops!

I can't remember what inspired Tania to grab this, but I am glad that she did. It is a wonderful anthology of snippets from Lucie Arnoux's life. For someone who I would consider to still be young, she has packed so much into her life. Travelling the globe, learning the unicycle, being a cellist in a punk band, all whilst forging her career as a renowned illustrator and artist.

There are smiles, laughs, and inspiration. You can't help but want to do something spontaneous, to live in the moment. 4 stars.

[Kinga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucie Arnoux has been drawing for most of her life and this book is a bit of a memoir. Beautifully drawn in nine-panelled pages, with the most wonderful palette of colours. The panels are each focused on a single theme or experience and let us into the world of the artist. I have heard that Lucie has been involved in a French-language graphic novels based on the Enola Holmes stories and I really hope that these are translated into English soon. I would love to see more of Lucie's work.

[Dbgirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very charming and lovely memoir of a one French woman who loved comics already as a child and who eventually became a comics artist herself. Her life seemed interesting and at some points very relatable. This went to scary at couple of occasions (not her fault, life can be horrible especially for women), but for most of the time this was hilarious. And, I loved the art!

[Katri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sarjakuva kertoo tekijänsä elämästä, aika kattavasti nuoruudesta ”nykyhetkeen”.
Keskiössä on hänen muuttonsa Ranskasta Lontooseen, mutta myös kaikki muut matkustelut ja seikkailut maailmalla.

Kiinnostava ja kiva!

Pidin erityisesti tämän sarjakuvan kuvituksesta! Varsinkin luettuani tätä ennen juuri kaksi sarjakuvaa, joiden kuvitus oli makuuni turhankin tietokonemainen.

[Mahou Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

The art in here is so good! Didn't quite expect it to be an anthology and I think *some* title pages might be helpful - Also the book itself isn't as focused on London as the title implies, so maybe worth a broader subheading? Still a joy to read

[Jessiclees · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a strange but beautiful book. It jumps around quite a lot and so is sometimes hard to follow, but the lovely drawings and self-deprecation and honesty of the author make up for this.

[Trian · Rating 3 out of 5]

B. This was different to what I expected, but I liked the drawing style.

[Hind Hussein · Rating 2 out of 5]

Random travel diaries of a woman who also happens to be French, rather than what it says on the tin. Not what I expected, but then again I should've leafed through it.

[Mana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tuhti paketti. Iso kirja ja monta ruutua per sivu. Piirrosjälki todella jees.

[Caitlin Holloway · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most charming and lighthearted autobiographical graphic novels I’ve read. The use of colour was incredible and it was just a dreamy read. Really enjoyed it,

[Kayley Hartley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed it, would read again or another by the same author but wasn’t a real full story with beginning middle and end but lots of short stories

[Mariia · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75/5*

[PJ Ebbrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short episodes from Lucie Arnoux's life and career. Simple and delicate drawing with a light touch, but for me the colour stands out. Glad I picked it up.

[Aurora · Rating 4 out of 5]

These were pretty enjoyable memoir comics. Reminded me of early Lucy Knisley.

[Therese Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

*3.75

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’d love that place too - a mezzanine bedroom, a bath with lion feet, bookshelves from wall to ceiling… the dream house

[evie · Rating 5 out of 5]

such a fab memoir , her spontaneous adventures are so interesting and you can tell she enjoyed writing & drawing this book 📚