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La Dame Blanche
Estelle, trentenaire un peu perdue dans sa vie intime, est infirmière dans une maison de retraite. Dans cet univers professionnel empreint de parties de cartes, de rêves inachevés et de morts solitaires, la jeune femme va tisser des relations particulières avec les résidents, les écouter et appréhender leur souffrance jusqu'à vouloir commettre l'irréparable...
208 pages, Hardcover
First published January 14, 2022
5 people are currently reading
438 people want to read
About the author
Quentin Zuttion
11 books73 followersQuentin Zuttion est dessinateur pour la presse et auteur de BD. Il débute en 2014 pour le magazine en ligne Madmoizelle.com. Il travaille aussi à l'époque comme illustrateur pour NEON et Ca m'intéresse. En février 2016, il sort sa BD papier Sous Le Lit aux éditions des Ailes sur un Tracteur, et sortira en septembre 2018 Appelez-moi Nathan, chez Payot-Rivages. Tout au long de ses histoires, Quentin nous parle de sentiments, de sexualités, de quêtes identitaires et d'affirmation de soi.
Écrit aussi sous le pseudo: Mr Q.
Écrit aussi sous le pseudo: Mr Q.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews
August 18, 2025
A pretty good graphic novel, quite emotional in places, but its style left me from feeling more fondness for it.
Estelle is a nurse at an assisted living centre. Her patients are senior citizens who are unable to care for themselves. Estelle cares for them, plays with them, and makes sure that their final days are comfortable. But once they pass away, she finds herself feeling overwhelmed by the loss. The book covers many stories of such residents who end up impacting Estelle more than she anticipated.
The story is quite impactful in its poignancy. Estelle’s emotional upheaval and the loneliness of the residents is well-depicted. While the story feels a bit repetitive after a while, the ending provides the perfect finale and hence makes it worthwhile.
However, I didn’t like the artwork. It is in watercolour style and painted mostly in faded blues and greys. While this adds to the melancholic feel of the story, it also creates a flatness in the reading experience. A couple of the faces are drawn very similar to each other. Some of the human figures are sketched quite vaguely. The font in my digital copy was also quite light and hazy, which made reading this a troublesome experience.
Overall, not a bad bande dessinée but definitely not one of my favourites. I might have enjoyed it more with a different artistic style. All the same, this is a can-be-read, not a must-be-read.
3.25 stars.
My thanks to Europe Comics and NetGalley for the ARC of “The White Lady”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
Estelle is a nurse at an assisted living centre. Her patients are senior citizens who are unable to care for themselves. Estelle cares for them, plays with them, and makes sure that their final days are comfortable. But once they pass away, she finds herself feeling overwhelmed by the loss. The book covers many stories of such residents who end up impacting Estelle more than she anticipated.
The story is quite impactful in its poignancy. Estelle’s emotional upheaval and the loneliness of the residents is well-depicted. While the story feels a bit repetitive after a while, the ending provides the perfect finale and hence makes it worthwhile.
However, I didn’t like the artwork. It is in watercolour style and painted mostly in faded blues and greys. While this adds to the melancholic feel of the story, it also creates a flatness in the reading experience. A couple of the faces are drawn very similar to each other. Some of the human figures are sketched quite vaguely. The font in my digital copy was also quite light and hazy, which made reading this a troublesome experience.
Overall, not a bad bande dessinée but definitely not one of my favourites. I might have enjoyed it more with a different artistic style. All the same, this is a can-be-read, not a must-be-read.
3.25 stars.
My thanks to Europe Comics and NetGalley for the ARC of “The White Lady”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
September 20, 2022
A moving portrait of a young woman working as a care provider at an assisted living center, that has a real sting in its tail. The art is impressive, in its limited colour palette.
(Picked up a review copy through NetGalley)
(Picked up a review copy through NetGalley)
August 11, 2022
I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
The White Lady is a graphic novel story about Estelle who is a nurse at an assisted living centre for elderly people. Estelle feels very overwhelmed when the people she cares for, plays with and supports pass away. This book is quite emotional in places and I love how it shows how much the residents impact on Estelle which I should imagine is a true reflection of most people within this job role. I really enjoyed this story but I felt the artwork let it down slightly hence the 3 star rating. The artwork is in blue and grey watercolour tones but it didn't give me the emotional edge the story deserved.
The White Lady is a graphic novel story about Estelle who is a nurse at an assisted living centre for elderly people. Estelle feels very overwhelmed when the people she cares for, plays with and supports pass away. This book is quite emotional in places and I love how it shows how much the residents impact on Estelle which I should imagine is a true reflection of most people within this job role. I really enjoyed this story but I felt the artwork let it down slightly hence the 3 star rating. The artwork is in blue and grey watercolour tones but it didn't give me the emotional edge the story deserved.
October 2, 2024
J'imagine qu'on a tous le souvenir d'un proche dans un EHPAD quelque part. Des moments aussi tristes que drôles. J'ai revu mon arrière grand-mère dans plusieurs pages, elle même qui tous les samedis rangeaient une stère de bois dans le jardin alors qu'elle ne pouvait plus se lever de son fauteuil, celle qui regardait la télé et se désolait que le "Grand Charles" n'y soit plus. Texte très beau et émouvant sur la fin de vie et tous les personnels soignants.
September 15, 2022
5 stars for the artstyle and the art sequence.
4 stars for the presentation and narration.
3 stars for the character development and portrayal.
Overall, a dark story with good artwork.
4 stars for the presentation and narration.
3 stars for the character development and portrayal.
Overall, a dark story with good artwork.
January 19, 2022
Entre hommage aux soignant.e.s qui travaillent auprès des personnes âgées et travail des corps qui changent et vieillissent, le nouveau roman graphique de Quentin Zuttion atteint des pics d'émotion, rendus encore plus sublimes par un réalisme magique d'une grande subtilité. Wow.
February 9, 2022
A beautiful and sad graphic novel about Estelle, a nurse at an assisted living center. The White Lady is a beautiful story, but often a bit disturbing and sad read about death, unfulfilled dreams, life goals, and forgotten people. Interesting and different story, because it is told from a perspective of a nurse.
The art is very good. Aquarelle style, mostly blue and white. It is sometimes pretty unique, but still beautiful.
Thanks to Europe Comics for the ARC and this opportunity! This is a voluntary review, and all opinions are my own.
The art is very good. Aquarelle style, mostly blue and white. It is sometimes pretty unique, but still beautiful.
Thanks to Europe Comics for the ARC and this opportunity! This is a voluntary review, and all opinions are my own.
July 12, 2022
4,5
Une BD émouvante qui nous fait réfléchir à certains enjeux comme l'euthanasie et la maladie. J'ai aimé suivre Estelle dans son quotidien avec des personnes âgées. C'était triste, mais beau. J'ai pleuré à la fin.
Une BD émouvante qui nous fait réfléchir à certains enjeux comme l'euthanasie et la maladie. J'ai aimé suivre Estelle dans son quotidien avec des personnes âgées. C'était triste, mais beau. J'ai pleuré à la fin.
July 12, 2022
Coup de cœur. ❤️
Les livres qui abordent la maladie, la vieillesse ont tendance à beaucoup me toucher. La dame blanche n’a pas fait d’exception. C’est un livre qui m’a chamboulé, secoué.
L’histoire nous transporte dans une résidence pour aînés. On y découvre le dévouement du personnel médical mais aussi, la solitude, le manque d’amour et l’abandon que ressentent et subissent les résidents. On regarde, avec regret et le coeur gros, la maladie gagner du terrain et les familles s’éloigner.
La fin m’a particulièrement ébranlée. C’est très touchant. Elle nous pousse à réfléchir. J’ai refermé ce livre avec les yeux baignés dans l’eau et le sourire aux lèvres.
Un bel hommage à ceux qui restent et qui prennent soin des aînés. ❤️
À lire sans hésiter !!
Les livres qui abordent la maladie, la vieillesse ont tendance à beaucoup me toucher. La dame blanche n’a pas fait d’exception. C’est un livre qui m’a chamboulé, secoué.
L’histoire nous transporte dans une résidence pour aînés. On y découvre le dévouement du personnel médical mais aussi, la solitude, le manque d’amour et l’abandon que ressentent et subissent les résidents. On regarde, avec regret et le coeur gros, la maladie gagner du terrain et les familles s’éloigner.
La fin m’a particulièrement ébranlée. C’est très touchant. Elle nous pousse à réfléchir. J’ai refermé ce livre avec les yeux baignés dans l’eau et le sourire aux lèvres.
Un bel hommage à ceux qui restent et qui prennent soin des aînés. ❤️
À lire sans hésiter !!
November 13, 2025
Peut-être que j’ai pleuré un peu.
C’était une sublime histoire aux dessins comme toujours magnifiques (les plus poétiques sont souvent les plus justes) et un très précieux hommage aux soignants d’EHPAD. Un livre nécessaire pour nous aider à aborder la fin de vie.
(Maintenant je peux dire que j’ai lu l’entièreté de la bibliographie de Quentin Zuttion et c’est un flex que je mettrais en avant, sachez-le et préparez-vous.)
C’était une sublime histoire aux dessins comme toujours magnifiques (les plus poétiques sont souvent les plus justes) et un très précieux hommage aux soignants d’EHPAD. Un livre nécessaire pour nous aider à aborder la fin de vie.
(Maintenant je peux dire que j’ai lu l’entièreté de la bibliographie de Quentin Zuttion et c’est un flex que je mettrais en avant, sachez-le et préparez-vous.)
February 8, 2022
Zuttion's "The White Lady" is a story that, while difficult to read, was incredibly moving and beautiful.
Set in a senior nursing care facility, the story introduces us to two nurses who care for the residents, try their best to make them comfortable, and deal with the strange proximity between life, death, and the constant state of grieving when your job involves daily contact with those whose lives are nearly at the end. It's a constant push and pull between wanting to put distance between their personal and professional lives, and wanting to genuinely connect with people who have lived full, sometimes opaque lives that we never hear about. Where does a nurse fit into the grieving process when someone they've cared for daily suddenly passes away? How do they announce it to the family? How do they go back to work with a smile?
If this all sounds like heart-rending stuff, it is. But I'm also someone who thinks that death perhaps isn't something to fear, even if it's a fearsome thing to accept. As Zuttion depicts it, it's the living who have the most difficult task of picking up the pieces and keeping in mind that, no matter what, the end will come someday. Zuttion's prose and art do this delicate and incredibly personal subject justice in a way I didn't expect. Never sensationalized, never beautified. An honest look at human mortality, frailty, and love.
Recommended for readers who want a story that will make them think about the fairly devastating subjects of grief, mortality, and dementia (so please be warned), all tempered by an ever-present love for life and the living.
Thank you to Netgalley and Europe Comics for granting me a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Set in a senior nursing care facility, the story introduces us to two nurses who care for the residents, try their best to make them comfortable, and deal with the strange proximity between life, death, and the constant state of grieving when your job involves daily contact with those whose lives are nearly at the end. It's a constant push and pull between wanting to put distance between their personal and professional lives, and wanting to genuinely connect with people who have lived full, sometimes opaque lives that we never hear about. Where does a nurse fit into the grieving process when someone they've cared for daily suddenly passes away? How do they announce it to the family? How do they go back to work with a smile?
If this all sounds like heart-rending stuff, it is. But I'm also someone who thinks that death perhaps isn't something to fear, even if it's a fearsome thing to accept. As Zuttion depicts it, it's the living who have the most difficult task of picking up the pieces and keeping in mind that, no matter what, the end will come someday. Zuttion's prose and art do this delicate and incredibly personal subject justice in a way I didn't expect. Never sensationalized, never beautified. An honest look at human mortality, frailty, and love.
Recommended for readers who want a story that will make them think about the fairly devastating subjects of grief, mortality, and dementia (so please be warned), all tempered by an ever-present love for life and the living.
Thank you to Netgalley and Europe Comics for granting me a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 4, 2022
3.5 stars
Estelle works in a care home for elders. This poignant story deals with death, aging, dementia, Estelle’s relationships with the residents, & her own coming to terms with the fact that one day she’ll age & die too. This is respectfully written & I found it touching.
[What I liked:]
•Estelle is a sympathetic MC. She obviously cares a lot about her patients, but feels torn on how best to help them without getting too emotionally involved or interfering in an unethical way.
•My grandmother, who I’m very close to, is in the late stages of dementia & so much in this book is familiar. I appreciate how the difficult bits aren’t glossed over, but it’s still discussed in a mostly respectful way. Dementia is a strange & terrible disease, & unfortunately there’s no way to convince a dementia sufferer that their delusions aren’t real; all you can do is try to reassure them that they’re safe & not alone, which is Estelle’s approach.
•The ending is rather fitting, & brings things full circle.
[What I didn’t like as much:]
•I wasn’t a huge fan of the art (except the close ups on faces, those were striking). It’s not bad, just not to my taste. Monochrome watercolor wash over ink sketches, kinda blurry & vague.
CW: death, dementia, assisted suicide
[I received an ARC ebook copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Thank you for the book!]
Estelle works in a care home for elders. This poignant story deals with death, aging, dementia, Estelle’s relationships with the residents, & her own coming to terms with the fact that one day she’ll age & die too. This is respectfully written & I found it touching.
[What I liked:]
•Estelle is a sympathetic MC. She obviously cares a lot about her patients, but feels torn on how best to help them without getting too emotionally involved or interfering in an unethical way.
•My grandmother, who I’m very close to, is in the late stages of dementia & so much in this book is familiar. I appreciate how the difficult bits aren’t glossed over, but it’s still discussed in a mostly respectful way. Dementia is a strange & terrible disease, & unfortunately there’s no way to convince a dementia sufferer that their delusions aren’t real; all you can do is try to reassure them that they’re safe & not alone, which is Estelle’s approach.
•The ending is rather fitting, & brings things full circle.
[What I didn’t like as much:]
•I wasn’t a huge fan of the art (except the close ups on faces, those were striking). It’s not bad, just not to my taste. Monochrome watercolor wash over ink sketches, kinda blurry & vague.
CW: death, dementia, assisted suicide
[I received an ARC ebook copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Thank you for the book!]
February 16, 2022
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
First of all this absolutely broke my heart. This is a small graphic novel but is extremely emotional and sad. Our main character is a nurse and it deals a lot with her own emotions and the emotions of the old people she has to care for. This book deals a lot with grief and death so I would advise whoever is thinking of reading it to consider that because it will weigh on you.
The idea is simple and decently executed. The artwork was at times too simplified and I believe it would have conveyed more emotion had it been different but it has its unique character which I appreciatted in the end.
First of all this absolutely broke my heart. This is a small graphic novel but is extremely emotional and sad. Our main character is a nurse and it deals a lot with her own emotions and the emotions of the old people she has to care for. This book deals a lot with grief and death so I would advise whoever is thinking of reading it to consider that because it will weigh on you.
The idea is simple and decently executed. The artwork was at times too simplified and I believe it would have conveyed more emotion had it been different but it has its unique character which I appreciatted in the end.
April 19, 2023
Estelle, yaklaşık 10 yıldır yaşlıların kaldığı bir bakımevinde hemşire olarak çalışmaktadır. Estelle'in hayatlarının son dönemlerini geçirmekte olan kişilere yaklaşımı zaman zaman profesyonellik sınırını aşmakta (hayatını kaybedenlere ait bir eşyayı evine götürmek gibi) ve bu durum başına iş açmaktadır.
Quentin Zuttion, yaşlılara hizmet veren bir bakımevinde çalışmanın yalnızca fiziksel değil psikolojik zorlukları da beraberinde getirdiğini, hayatın doğası gereği vefatların yaşandığı ve dolayısıyla "ölümün sıradanlaştığı" böyle bir ortamda ayakta kalabilmenin ne denli zor olduğunu çok başarılı bir şekilde yansıtmayı başarmıştır.
The White Lady, yaşamak/ölmek/hatırlamak üzerine kafa yormamızı sağlayacak bir çizgi roman.
Quentin Zuttion, yaşlılara hizmet veren bir bakımevinde çalışmanın yalnızca fiziksel değil psikolojik zorlukları da beraberinde getirdiğini, hayatın doğası gereği vefatların yaşandığı ve dolayısıyla "ölümün sıradanlaştığı" böyle bir ortamda ayakta kalabilmenin ne denli zor olduğunu çok başarılı bir şekilde yansıtmayı başarmıştır.
The White Lady, yaşamak/ölmek/hatırlamak üzerine kafa yormamızı sağlayacak bir çizgi roman.
August 10, 2024
Une très belle histoire ✨
« Estelle,
On est les dernières personnes qu’ils vont voir avant de mourir. Quand ils entrent ici, ils le savent bien. C’est facile de se dire qu’on sera leur famille, leur nounou, leur amie,…
Mai’s c’est faux. Nous, on n’est rien d’autre que celles qui leur rappellent tous les matins en leur servant leur café qu’ils sont à la fin de leur vie»
« Estelle,
On est les dernières personnes qu’ils vont voir avant de mourir. Quand ils entrent ici, ils le savent bien. C’est facile de se dire qu’on sera leur famille, leur nounou, leur amie,…
Mai’s c’est faux. Nous, on n’est rien d’autre que celles qui leur rappellent tous les matins en leur servant leur café qu’ils sont à la fin de leur vie»
August 18, 2022
My god, it has been a long time since a book broke my heart so completely.
This was incredible. And so very sad.
This was incredible. And so very sad.
May 10, 2023
4.5* wow, i cried my eyes out! When i describe the story it sounds dull: the daily trials and tribulations of nursing home workers and the residents. But the questions it raises pack a real punch:
What's the line between caring and burnout? How can you have work life balance when death/dying is a regular part of the job? What's more real, the adventures of our youth, the refuge of our imagination or the walls of the nursing home?
Who's taking care of the caregivers?
I feel completely the opposite of how i felt when i finished call me Nathan/appelez moi Nathan by the same illustrator/writer (but the former was co-authored/primarily written by someone else). When i finished that i felt detached, disappointed even... The soul was missing perhaps. The drawings were more hasty, less assured and mature in their lines and color palette. Here we see bold, striking yet subdued colors and assured lines. It felt so personal and yet detached enough to really connect to the experience of people in nursing homes all over the Western world.
They're call EHPAD in french because just like the term sanitation engineer it hides what's really behind it.
What's the line between caring and burnout? How can you have work life balance when death/dying is a regular part of the job? What's more real, the adventures of our youth, the refuge of our imagination or the walls of the nursing home?
Who's taking care of the caregivers?
I feel completely the opposite of how i felt when i finished call me Nathan/appelez moi Nathan by the same illustrator/writer (but the former was co-authored/primarily written by someone else). When i finished that i felt detached, disappointed even... The soul was missing perhaps. The drawings were more hasty, less assured and mature in their lines and color palette. Here we see bold, striking yet subdued colors and assured lines. It felt so personal and yet detached enough to really connect to the experience of people in nursing homes all over the Western world.
They're call EHPAD in french because just like the term sanitation engineer it hides what's really behind it.
January 28, 2023
"J'ai 33 ans et j'ai vu des centaines de cadavres de gens que j'ai aimés. Personne, absolument personne, ne nous demande comment on va, nous"
J'ai adoré. C'était beau, c'était émouvant, c'était poétique. C'est l'histoire d'Estelle, une infirmière qui accompagne les personnes âgées dans leur fin de vie et qui prennent des bouts de la sienne en partant.
J'ai beaucoup aimé la conclusion de l'histoire et j'ai même lâché une (vraiment une) petite larme.
J'ai adoré. C'était beau, c'était émouvant, c'était poétique. C'est l'histoire d'Estelle, une infirmière qui accompagne les personnes âgées dans leur fin de vie et qui prennent des bouts de la sienne en partant.
J'ai beaucoup aimé la conclusion de l'histoire et j'ai même lâché une (vraiment une) petite larme.
February 28, 2022
J'en chiale tellement c'était beau.
April 13, 2025
Vraiment hyper émouvant ! J'ai adoré 💖
November 25, 2024
J'ai beaucoup aimé!! Les dessins étaient doux et les récits hyper touchants
Clairement le genre de BD que j'adore
Clairement le genre de BD que j'adore
March 1, 2022
3.5/5
I'd like to thank NetGalley as well as the publishers for providing me with an ARC of this book!
The White Lady follows a young nurse, Estelle, as she finds herself getting more and more invested in the lives of the old residents at her job in an old age home. The book sticks to a fairly monochromatic palette of blues with an occasional splash of color here and there.
You see Estelle care for a number of residents—even welcoming a new one—and watch as she navigates what it means to be a "good" and "ethical" healthcare professional when the people you are caring for are at the end of their lives. After all, ethics taught in class often leave little space for the blurred lines of reality, where patients exhibit more personality and humanity than the stand-in figures seen in philosophical exercises.
Over the course of the book, you see Estelle as she loses herself in her job more and more, each page showing her sink further into the residents bit by bit. But it's not an unhinged kind of spiraling, you can tell that this has been building up for years, has bled into other parts of her life as well. As you read this, you're thinking, "Wow, I could see this happening to me. I think this could drive anyone a little nuts."
Which is why I find myself quite unsatisfied with the ending. It's not a bad ending by any means; if anything, I think it makes a lot of sense and is rather sweet. However, it just felt so rushed and abrupt. I won't spoil anything but like, I wanted to see more of Estelle's spiral, I wanted to see how and where she would draw a line, if she could even do so. Because that was the core of the story for me and I think it's also where the book shines best, so having that cut to the ending—seemingly out of nowhere—was jarring and left me feeling a lot of regret and sadness for how much more this could have been.
I don't know, I'm just really unsatisfied with the pacing which SUCKS cos I really do think it's a good story with endearing characters. There were also quite a few panels that I think will stick to me for quite some time, the art itself is gorgeous. Despite my complaints, I would still recommend giving this book a try. Regardless of how you feel about the pacing or the ending, I think you'll find yourself thinking about it long after you're done with it.
I'd like to thank NetGalley as well as the publishers for providing me with an ARC of this book!
The White Lady follows a young nurse, Estelle, as she finds herself getting more and more invested in the lives of the old residents at her job in an old age home. The book sticks to a fairly monochromatic palette of blues with an occasional splash of color here and there.
You see Estelle care for a number of residents—even welcoming a new one—and watch as she navigates what it means to be a "good" and "ethical" healthcare professional when the people you are caring for are at the end of their lives. After all, ethics taught in class often leave little space for the blurred lines of reality, where patients exhibit more personality and humanity than the stand-in figures seen in philosophical exercises.
Over the course of the book, you see Estelle as she loses herself in her job more and more, each page showing her sink further into the residents bit by bit. But it's not an unhinged kind of spiraling, you can tell that this has been building up for years, has bled into other parts of her life as well. As you read this, you're thinking, "Wow, I could see this happening to me. I think this could drive anyone a little nuts."
Which is why I find myself quite unsatisfied with the ending. It's not a bad ending by any means; if anything, I think it makes a lot of sense and is rather sweet. However, it just felt so rushed and abrupt. I won't spoil anything but like, I wanted to see more of Estelle's spiral, I wanted to see how and where she would draw a line, if she could even do so. Because that was the core of the story for me and I think it's also where the book shines best, so having that cut to the ending—seemingly out of nowhere—was jarring and left me feeling a lot of regret and sadness for how much more this could have been.
I don't know, I'm just really unsatisfied with the pacing which SUCKS cos I really do think it's a good story with endearing characters. There were also quite a few panels that I think will stick to me for quite some time, the art itself is gorgeous. Despite my complaints, I would still recommend giving this book a try. Regardless of how you feel about the pacing or the ending, I think you'll find yourself thinking about it long after you're done with it.
May 21, 2022
I keep picking up these Europe comics and even knowing what I am in for, continue to be surprised by the depth that these books explore. The topics are things I would not read about otherwise, at least not in this form. The words are few, the colours fewer and they convey a lot more than an individual would like to bear while being precisely what many deal with on a regular basis.
I am not going to comment on the ethics of the people in the narrative, it is not the kind of life I can imagine being easy. Our lead protagonist is a nurse in an assisted care facility. There are the people who receive regular visitors and can care for themselves, mostly. There are others whose lives are sadder to watch unfold. In this emotionally heavy situation, Estelle lives by her own rules. She does it to cope, but the repercussions of her choices will be realised at some point!
It is not a book for the faint of heart. There is no ending or story arc as such. The last few pages, however, did improve my reading experience by seemingly providing a conclusion. It is not a quick read, but an intriguing one. The graphics are typical of the Europe comics, not completely to my taste, but I am starting to get used to them.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.
I am not going to comment on the ethics of the people in the narrative, it is not the kind of life I can imagine being easy. Our lead protagonist is a nurse in an assisted care facility. There are the people who receive regular visitors and can care for themselves, mostly. There are others whose lives are sadder to watch unfold. In this emotionally heavy situation, Estelle lives by her own rules. She does it to cope, but the repercussions of her choices will be realised at some point!
It is not a book for the faint of heart. There is no ending or story arc as such. The last few pages, however, did improve my reading experience by seemingly providing a conclusion. It is not a quick read, but an intriguing one. The graphics are typical of the Europe comics, not completely to my taste, but I am starting to get used to them.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.
February 6, 2022
A lengthy and yet quickly-read watercoloured graphic novel, focusing on some small selection of young female nurses at a care home for those of a more senile disposition. While coming down on neither side of such institutions, pro or anti, it suggests the young women might be spending too much of the love they have to give at work – outside they're on Tinder and not getting anywhere, or alienating their boyfriends with their shift patterns and how they feel for their elderly clients, or clubbing with each other and not really moving their life on that way.
Meanwhile, I'll leave it unsaid as to whether the older people are more or less lucid when they seem to see the younger versions of themselves in the mirror – and who is this Eva that one of them talks about constantly? Visually, the artist likes a fair bit of such tricksiness – superimposing the youth long gone back onto the older face, or indeed the other way round. In light of that it's a reasonably dreamy, elegiac piece – but for many its subject matter and approach will both make this a lot less of an entertainment than they'd prefer. But you do have to stick around for an ending that bumps the star rating up very impressively.
Meanwhile, I'll leave it unsaid as to whether the older people are more or less lucid when they seem to see the younger versions of themselves in the mirror – and who is this Eva that one of them talks about constantly? Visually, the artist likes a fair bit of such tricksiness – superimposing the youth long gone back onto the older face, or indeed the other way round. In light of that it's a reasonably dreamy, elegiac piece – but for many its subject matter and approach will both make this a lot less of an entertainment than they'd prefer. But you do have to stick around for an ending that bumps the star rating up very impressively.
March 2, 2022
The artwork is gentle, almost whimsical as it depicts a story about the elderly residents of a care home. Estelle, is one of their nurses and she interacts with the residents in their last days, seeking to find ways to respond to their needs and their unfulfilled dreams.
All of this has an impact on her life as she seeks to remember these people in her care. This contrasts with the families of the residents, some of whom, struggle as their family members change both physically and mentally. It is a moving story which is illustrated in a beautiful way. In a way it is sad but at the same time hopeful as we see the residents journeying to the end of their lives with dignity and grace, supported by those who care for them.
Copy provided by Europe Comics via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
All of this has an impact on her life as she seeks to remember these people in her care. This contrasts with the families of the residents, some of whom, struggle as their family members change both physically and mentally. It is a moving story which is illustrated in a beautiful way. In a way it is sad but at the same time hopeful as we see the residents journeying to the end of their lives with dignity and grace, supported by those who care for them.
Copy provided by Europe Comics via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
February 13, 2022
Very delicate graphic novel, in which the drawings fit very well to the story almost intangible and at the same time very sad and definitely hard to read. A balance that is maintained until the end to tell a life lived in the service of others, when for others there is no one else left.
Graphic novel delicatissima, in cui i disegni si adattano benissimo alla storia quasi impalpabile e allo stesso tempo tristissima e decisamente pesante. Un equilibri che si mantiene fino alla fine per raccontare una vita vissuta al servizio degli altri, quando per gli altri non rimane nessun altro.
I received from the Publisher a complimentary digital advanced review copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.
Graphic novel delicatissima, in cui i disegni si adattano benissimo alla storia quasi impalpabile e allo stesso tempo tristissima e decisamente pesante. Un equilibri che si mantiene fino alla fine per raccontare una vita vissuta al servizio degli altri, quando per gli altri non rimane nessun altro.
I received from the Publisher a complimentary digital advanced review copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.
April 6, 2022
thank you to netgalley for an arc!
the art style is so deceptive -- it's a gentle blue wash with occasional pops of color, so i made the mistake of believing this to be a cheery, hopeful book. midway i feel the exact opposite (i'm thinking of one scene in particular with the drawer of curiosities and mementos) and i'm shocked at how subtle zuttion can deal with grief and mourning especially among nurses and carers. quite an abrupt ending but devastating nonetheless.
the art style is so deceptive -- it's a gentle blue wash with occasional pops of color, so i made the mistake of believing this to be a cheery, hopeful book. midway i feel the exact opposite (i'm thinking of one scene in particular with the drawer of curiosities and mementos) and i'm shocked at how subtle zuttion can deal with grief and mourning especially among nurses and carers. quite an abrupt ending but devastating nonetheless.
March 25, 2022
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an eARC of this title in exchange for my honest review.
Honestly, I've never read a book that makes me feel so vulnerable, defeated, and dejected after reading. I did not find this enjoyable at all. If you read this as a cautionary tale, you may enjoy it. This made me terrified of growing old only to potentially be treated like this who signed up for it to be their job, Maybe that was the point. To open my eyes about how we as a society turn a blind eye on assisted living homes and the kinds of treatments their patients receive, but I cannot bring myself to give this a higher rating.
Honestly, I've never read a book that makes me feel so vulnerable, defeated, and dejected after reading. I did not find this enjoyable at all. If you read this as a cautionary tale, you may enjoy it. This made me terrified of growing old only to potentially be treated like this who signed up for it to be their job, Maybe that was the point. To open my eyes about how we as a society turn a blind eye on assisted living homes and the kinds of treatments their patients receive, but I cannot bring myself to give this a higher rating.
April 29, 2022
BD très bien faite. on est auprès de personnes âgées dans un EHPAD et on suit les infirmières qui s'en occupent. c'est très touchant et bien qu'on ait conscience de tout le travail qu'elles font, c'est toujours important de se le rappeler.
j'ai enlevé une étoile parce que je suis pas fan des dessins
j'ai enlevé une étoile parce que je suis pas fan des dessins
August 22, 2022
18/20
Quelle sublime BD pour évoquer le rôle indispensable des soignants en maison de retraite, qui côtoient la fin de vie en essayant de la rendre plus douce, quand le reste de la société préfère l’ignorer. Une BD pleine de douceur, de tendresse. A lire absolument.
Ma chronique : https://littleprettybooks.com/2022/08...
Quelle sublime BD pour évoquer le rôle indispensable des soignants en maison de retraite, qui côtoient la fin de vie en essayant de la rendre plus douce, quand le reste de la société préfère l’ignorer. Une BD pleine de douceur, de tendresse. A lire absolument.
Ma chronique : https://littleprettybooks.com/2022/08...
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