Un ennemi du peuple

by Javi Rey

Le discret docteur Tomas Stockmann et son frère Peter, maire hâbleur et populiste, ont fondé ensemble un établissement thermal dont le succès assure la prospérité de leur petite île. Tomas, qui ne cautionne pas la gestion qu'en fait son frère, s'est toutefois mis en retrait du projet, n'y assurant plus que la mission de médecin généraliste pour les touristes. Une tâche inintéressante qui va pourtant lui permettre de découvrir un terrible scandale sanitaire. Et l'obliger à entamer un combat contre son propre frère, notable soutenu par les pouvoirs de la finance, de la politique mais aussi par la majorité bêlante des électeurs de l'île...

Menace écologique, mensonge politique et manipulation de l'opinion publique : plus d'un siècle après sa première représentation sur scène, Javi Rey revisite la pièce du dramaturge norvégien Henrik Ibsen (1828-1906), dont les problématiques restent d'une actualité totale. Un Ennemi du peuple est un album essentiel. Une histoire prenante doublée d'une surprenante réflexion sur le concept de démocratie.

Genres: Bande Dessinée, Graphic Novels, Comics, Theatre

152 pages, Hardcover

First published February 4, 2022

About the author

Javi Rey is a Belgian comics artist based in Barcelona. His books include Adelante (with Frank Giroud) and Un maillot pour l'Algérie.

Reviews

[Alexander Peterhans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really lovely little adaptation of the Ibsen drama, breaking the play open and making it more grounded in the town it takes place in. It also feels more pertinent, with themes of corruption, the idiocy of the majority and (I really loathe this term, but here we go) fake news.


That would make this a fine graphic novel on its own, but then the art is just beautiful, and just as beautifully coloured.

Very good, indeed.

(Picked up an ARC through NetGalley)

[mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr. Stockmann finds out that the town’s thermal springs are contaminated. They are the jewel of a small town and a tourist attraction. Dr. Stockmann wishes to reveal this to the public, but his brother, the mayor, wants to silence him.

An Enemy of the People is a graphic novel adaptation of Ibsen’s play with the same title. I liked Henrik Ibsen in high school, but I must admit I didn’t read the original play. The story of dr. Stockmann shows us how politics can influence the public and often wins over a public health issue. Ibsen lived and wrote his plays in the 19th century. But the questions they raise, although not so likable, can be still relevant today.

I wasn’t sure about the art at first. But after a few pages, beautiful illustrations with vivid colors came into view, and it turned out this style is very suitable for this story of political games.

Thanks to Europe Comics for the ARC and this opportunity! This is a voluntary review, and all opinions are my own.

[Oneirosophos · Rating 5 out of 5]

M A S T E R P I E C E !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MUST READ!

DON'T BE A SHEEP!

[~:The N:~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on Henrik Ibsen's classic play (first published in 1882), the story is still relevant today.

[Álvaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Soberbia adaptación de una obra que ya conocía, y que trata temas complejos sobre la democracia, los intereses personales y comunes, etc...

Excelente ritmo y gran riqueza de matices en la creación de personajes.
Y el arte es fascinante: línea clara, colores potentes.. Me ha encantado el cromatismo de la luz ambiente.

Recomedadísimo, aunque ya conozcas la obra.
Un texto al que volver para (re)abrir debates.

[Emre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Henrik Ibsen'in ilk olarak 1883 yılında sahnelenmiş olan An Enemy Of The People adlı eserinden uyarlanmıştır.

Dr. Thomas Stockman, kaplıcalarıyla ünlü bir şehirde yaşamakta olup, yaptığı çalışma neticesinde kaplıca suyunun temiz olmadığı gibi, zarar verici bazı mikro organizmalara sahip olduğunu tespit etmiştir. Bu durum, başta belediye başkanı olan kardeşi olmak üzere, şehirde turizmden avantaj sağlayan kişilerin hoşuna gitmez. Belediye başkanı ve şehrin önde gelenleri, gazetecilerle işbirliği yaparak Dr.Stockman'ı itibarsızlaştırma yoluna giderler. Gazetede yazanlar ve toplumun önde gelenlerinin davranışları/fikirleri halkın Dr.Stockman'a tepki göstermesini ve inanmamasını sağlar. Doktor, söyledikleriyle, bir anda "halkın düşmanı" haline gelir ve yalnızca bir avuç insan onun yanında yer alır. Eşinin, Dr. Stockman'a "Eğer güce sahip değilsen, haklı olmanın ne anlamı var?" serzenişi, güce sahip olmanın toplum üzerindeki etkisini anlatması ve doğrunun değil gücün baskın olması bakımından son derece kıymetlidir.

An Enemy Of The People, çoğunluğun, kamuoyunun, manipülasyona açık toplumun oluşturduğu iradenin sağlıklı olmadığını ortaya koymaktadır. Bu anlamda demokrasinin işlevsel olarak yetersizliğine vurgu yapmaktadır. Yine de vazgeçmek yerine mücadele etmek gerektiğinin altını çizmekte, bir anlamda umudu aşılamaktadır.

Not: Bu çizgi romanda Hakan Günday'dan alıntı yapılmış olması tatlı bir tesadüf oldu. Her bölümün başında bir alıntıya yer veren Javi Rey, 2. bölümün başında Hakan Günday'ın şu sözlerine yer verir; "Democracy is no regime of thugs; it is an ongoing struggle. It is impossible to solve new problems with ancient tools".

[Bogdan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good adaptation from a scene play that I never hear of before reading this.

Great artwork also!

[Marko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sudbina je tako htela da ova grafička novela dođe na red za čitanje dan pred najavljenog "najvećeg skupa" trenutno vladajuće stranke u Srbiji. Ali i dan nakon što sam video na facebook-u da je prijatelj iz razreda koji je bio i đak moje generacije, a koji se nakon srednje škole vratio u svoje rodno mesto u okolini Novog Sada, okačio profilnu sliku sa motivima vladajuće stranke iz pitaj-boga kojih motiva i pod kojim pritiscima. Time mi je utisak na ovu grafičku novelu možda još jači, ali treba biti objektivan i reći da je i pored svega ona zaista sjajna.

Iako se radi o grafičkoj adaptaciji poznatog dela, moram pripisati sebi minus da nisam znao o čemu se u delu radi pa samim tim nisam ni imao očekivanja a ujedno ne znam ni koliko toga je preneseno iz romana Henrik Ibzena a koliko toga je Havi Rej adaptirao.

Ovaj grafički roman dovodi u pitanje klimave noge demokratije današnjeg modernog društva kao i sve ono što ide u prilog. Još tokom čitanja prva asocijacija mi je bio film Živka Nikolića "U ime naroda" sa kojim bi se mogla napraviti laka paralela. Na našu žalost, film Nikolića se odvija u našem bliskom okruženju i samim tim je mnogo suroviji i mnogo teži za varenje dok se radnja u ovom slučaju odvija u nekoj od skandinavskih zemalja gde je sve ipak za nijasnu "lepše obojeno". Svi elementi su tu koji treba da budu od lako potkupljivih levičara, dok kontorle mase i mas-medija, kapitalista, investicija, tajkuna, školstva, nevladinih udruženja....i svi su pokvareni i lako potkupljivi dokle god imaju svoje interese.

Havi Rej ipak na kraju odaje je počast deci i porodici dajući čitaocu ipak neku nadu da postoje "mikro organizmi" društva za koje još ima nade i kraj je vrlo optimističan za razliku od naše realnosti onoga što se ovih dana dešava zaista u našem društvu (Srbija).

Grafička novela obiluje raznim dobro spakovanim motivima i porukama "između redova" koje se kriju ili u tekstu ili u grafičkom prikazu a nekad i samoj kolorizaciji crteža.

Crtež je fenomenalan i kolorit je još bolji jer su mnogo više poigrava formom i način na koji Havi priča ovu priču kroz slike je sjajan jer se stiče utisak da je svaki kvadrat tu sa razlogom i postoji jasna i dobro planirana dinamika stripa koja uvlači čitaoca u strip.

Pohvale i za Najkulu, izdavača, na izboru za Vagabond ediciju koja je po mom ličnom mišljenju trenutno najbolja edicija u Srbiji kad su grafičke novele u pitanju. Što po izboru dela, a još više po kranjoj izvedbi, gde su format, papir i štampa bez premca.

[Ije the Devourer of Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

This graphic novel is an adaptation of the Ibsen play of the same name. Henrik Johan Ibsen was a Norwegian-Danish playwright and theatre director and he wrote this as a play.

A small community live on an island which is gaining popularity with tourists because of its springs, but unbeknownst to the town the springs are contaminated. When Dr. Stockmann, the towns doctor, tries to alert the town and inform them about the contamination, he finds himself thwarted by the mayor of the town who is actually his brother. Fixing the problem with the springs would be very expensive and this is something the Mayor wishes to avoid because the Mayor is at the beck and call of big business. Dr Stockman encounters powerful factions as he tries to alert the town, but his brother and others manage to turn the town against him. It is a good graphic novel with great artwork. I hadn’t heard of this play before and so the graphic novel is a good introduction to Ibsen.

Copy provided by Europe Comics via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

[HighFidelity · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't really have a taste in reading plays, so I found this form highly refreshing.
It is such an edifying story that I might never get to know if it wasn't packed up into this lovely 150 pages of such calmingly illustrated piece.
Javi Ray knows how to make you feel with just one color.

The colors, the panels, and even the dialogs are so impactfully placed to produce a good satire drama effect. I really enjoyed it, and hope to see more from this artist cause I like the idea of multiple forms of stories.
Thank you, Net Galley, for the opportunity to read this book in digital format.

[xGwenBx · Rating 4 out of 5]

Merci aux éditions Dupuis et à Netgalley de m'avoir permis de lire ce titre.

Je ne connaissais pas le texte sur lequel était basé cette BD mais je dois dire que j'ai beaucoup apprécié ma lecture. J'ai trouvé que les thèmes abordés étaient plus que jamais d'actualité : les scandales sanitaires, préférer mentir pour l'appât du gain, etc. J'ai trouvé que les illustrations étaient originales, colorées et collaient bien avec l'intrigue. Une très bonne lecture !

[COMICGRAM · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://www.instagram.com/p/C2MtkUZM7...


Havi Rej - Neprijatelj naroda (Najkula)

Da li je neprijatelj naroda uvek onaj pojedinac kojeg nam predstavljaju ili vlast i njen sistem? Svi kada malo razmislimo reći ćemo ovo drugo, ali ipak uvek upiremo prstom u nekog pojedinca. Ovaj grafički roman koji je nastao po drami Henrika Ibzena je tu da nam po ko zna koji put lupi šamarčinu, samo je pitanje da li ćemo se opametiti ili ne.

Doktor Tomas Stokman i njegov brat Peter, gradonačelnik, zajedno su osnovali terme koje obezbeđuje razvoj njihovog malog ostrva. Tomas ne podržava bratovljevo upravljanje termama, povlači se iz projekta i preusmerava se na obavljanje dužnosti lekara opšte prakse za turiste. U međuvremenu, Tomas otkriva, a zatim i laboratorijski potvrđuje da banjska voda sadrži visoku koncentraciju opasnih mikroba, što je posledica štednje pri građenju cevovoda.

Havi Rej ovom adaptacijom do koske ogoljava vlast i društvo. Prikazuje kako vlast manipuliše tabloidima i javnim mnjenjem sa malo podmićivanja i lažnim obećanjima. Kako ljudi ne umeju da razmišljaju zdravim razumom i kako vrlo lako menjaju svoje mišljenje. Kako demokratija nije uvek najbolji oblik političkog sistema. I ono što je najgore, kako brat ume da okrene leđa svom rođenom bratu zarad novca, prestiža i imidža. Priznaćete, ovo je tema koja je već prevaziđena i o kojoj se stalno priča, ali lično ne vidim neke promene u društvu. Čak je sve gore i gore. Dezinformacije, korupcija i zagađenje su postali globalizovani i iz tog razloga Rej nije spomenuo gde se nalazi ovo ostrvo, jer je totalno nebitno. Ibzen je ovu dramu napisao davne 1882. godine, a tema je i dalje aktuelna. U stripu ćete primetiti da često iskaču ovce, a to nije bez razloga. Simbolika je svima sasvim jasna.

Crtež je jasan, sa tankom linijom i dosta dinamičnih pokreta, ali mene nije kupio i ne smatram ga dovoljno dobrim. Iako sam veliki ljubitelj polukarikaturalnog crteža i stripova kompletnih autora, uz ovakvu priču Rej je trebao da angažuje nekog crtača sa realističniji crtežom. Nije crtež ono što mi najviše smeta, on je pristojan, već kolor. Previše je drečav i smetao mi je za čitanje, naročito crvena i roze boja.


"U redu. U pravu si. I šta sa tim? Je li? Od kakve je koristi biti u pravu kad si bez ikakve moći?"

"Naš gradonačelnik, moj dragi brat Peter. Više mu je stalo do roštiljanja s biznismenima...nego do rešavanja problema u sopstvenom gradu."

"Vi ste najveće zlo od svih! Ljudi, rulja, apsolutna većina! Jasno je da su neznalice uvek u većini i na kraju uvek zavladaju onim malobrojnima koji se usude da se otrgnu od stada!"

9/10 ⭐

[Theediscerning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very few are the graphic novels I've read based on a stage play, but this one has to go down as as much a success as the source. And the source story is very fine indeed. Here is a small island town, boosted no end by a health spa – except that when a doctor realises the water is contaminated and injurious to health he ends up in combat with the mayor who has to insist everything is fine and dandy. Oh, and the two are brothers – brothers with a history. And what is almost a Trump wig in one instance. Elsewhere, a teacher finds out the trouble to come from politicising her young charges.

Put aside the brilliance of the original Ibsen, this is still wonderful. Things are opened out, so that scenes happen in sleazy cocktail bars, phone booths, multiple offices. The bath visitors are allowed to be extras, and (eventually) the villagers more so. We have an extended presence of a particular sheep (a black one, of course), a potentially fatal car drive, an unstageable stunt with a neon sign. Oh and we have a grandstanding final image perfectly in keeping with it all. While the text (certainly in translation) might lose a little of the brilliance of the original, this is still utterly readable, and in a world where the author will still like as not be misheard as Henry Gibson still oh so damnably current and relevant. The play never once lost its relevance since the time it was first staged, and this book does it no harm whatsoever, presenting the sheer evil of power going to someone's head brilliantly. Seeing as I too want to see the back of an unwanted mayor called Peter, this has to get five stars.

[Isabelle Zazaboum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cette bande dessinée est une adaptation d’une pièce écrite en 1882 par Henrik Ibsen et son sujet est, malheureusement, intemporel !

C’est la couverture qui m’a poussé à demander ce titre, même si je connaissais à peu près le sujet. Le graphisme est vintage, il renforce le côté intemporel mais le choix des couleurs, hors les pages quadri, est résolument moderne et frappant, il appuie le côté dramatique.

Le docteur Tomas Stockmann est le médecin de la station thermale bâtie, sur son idée, par son frère, maire de la ville et politicard aguerri. Il découvre que les eaux sont polluées et dangereuses pour les curistes. Il va se battre contre son frère pour faire changer les choses.

Tous les défauts et travers d’une société sont abordés : prévarication, mensonges, manipulation de la population qui applaudit le plus fort, corruption à tous les niveaux, montée de la haine et du rejet ! Mais on y trouve aussi le désir d’être honnête, de se battre pour des vérités et le bien de tous, le droit à s’exprimer et choisir en toute conscience.

Javi Rey a réussi le tour de force de faire passer tout ça dans une BD où les détails et les couleurs ont autant d’importance que les textes dans le déroulement de l’histoire et démontre s’il en est besoin que le pouvoir entraîne les mêmes comportements quelle que soit l’époque et le sujet !

#Unennemidupeuple #NetGalleyFrance

[Damjan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Iako sasvim pojednostavljena i pomalo naivna ovo je jedna iskrena kritika demokratije i njenih najvećih mana. Na početku albuma je pomenut Čerčilov citat koji kaže da je to najgori oblik vladavine, ako izuzmemo sve ostale do sad isprobane. Demokratija je jedno fragilno uređenje koje ispravno funkcioniše samo ako je njeno glasačko telo zdravo i vitalno. To podrazumeva da je većinsko građanstvo obrazovano, informisano, naučeno kritičkom mišljenju i što je najvažnije zainteresovano da sudeluje u političkom životu. Ako to nije slučaj glasači su samo objekti za manipulaciju preko kojih moćnici dolaze do ciljeva koji retko imaju veze sa javnim dobrom. Vladavina gomile je pogrdan termin kojim se obično opisuje loše postavljena demokratija, ali se ređe pominje da u takvim situacijama malobrojni idalje drže sve poluge moći. Podrivanjem osnovnih institucija društva, sistemskim zaglupljivanjem generacija, propagandom (društvenim inženjeringom u novije doba), korupcijom, zastrašivanjem i ucenama moderni oligarsi vladaju iz senke a paralelno održavaju privid "modernog", demokratskog društva.
Upravo takve teme su jednostavno ali jasno prikazane u ovom stripu što ga čini prigodnim štivom za omladinu zemlje Srbije (i drugih bratskih zemalja) za koju možda još ima neke nade (matoriji koji to do sad nisu shvatili su već propustili svoj voz).

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Ibsen’s play adapted and written as a graphic novel. The story is about Dr. stockman who discovers bacteria has contaminated the town’s thermal springs, so he contacts everyone. To fix the problem would be very costly. The town mayor who is also the brother to the doctor tries to silence this information. While the doctor has several supporters, some will stop supporting due to greed,. By closing the bath for two years would cease payments for the stockholders. Will the community stop the mayor from favoring the stockholders?

It’s interesting to read this as it appears to me to be a reflection of what I see happening in the United States. The rich/strong’s manipulation over the majority and shows the potential for tyranny. It’s sad if the majority doesn’t let them know that they don’t want that. It is an excellent way to get people thinking after reading this. The adaptation of the novel is well done and the artwork is perfect. It’s a graphic novel for this time.

Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review or any review at all. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.

[Leighton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Europe Comics and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

An Enemy of the People by Javi Rey is an interesting graphic novel that adapts one of Ibsen's plays. The story revolves around Dr. Stockmann, who has discovered that his town's thermal springs, a popular attraction, contain dangerous levels of bacteria. He tries to warn the town's populace, but the mayor, his brother, will do whatever it takes to get Dr. Stockmann to keep his findings to himself. Which brother will prevail?

Overall, An Enemy of the People is a unique literary adaptation that will appeal to fans of Ibsen's plays. One highlight of this book is the vibrant artwork. I was surprised and excited by the psychedelic colors and images, which wouldn't normally appear in a realistic graphic novel like this. The art really enhanced this book. I did take off 2 stars, because I was a bit bored by the storyline. If you're intrigued by the description, or if you're a fan of graphic novels in general, I recommend that you check out this book, which is available now!

[Nour Boukhris · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5
throughout this cast of characters and this plot , Javi Rey breaks down the complexities that lie in our « democratic » systems and how profit rules down the global interest . This book despite a not so happy ending succeeds in convincing us that there is always a leap of faith and hat the light at the end of tunnel surely exists. What is keeping me from giving this books a higher rating is not being able to connect with the story from the begging and the graphics were sometimes off-putting . But overall , I would recommend this book to everyone who is looking for a graphic novel with an engaging story that holds definition to terms such as (democracy,capitalism,liberalism,..etc)
*I received a free copy from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange of my honest review*

[Kezia Lucas (keziareads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Thank you to Netgalley and Europe Comics for an eARC in exchange for an honest review)

The art style was cool but the story let this graphic novel down. I appreciated the message it was sending (about social corruption and the abuse of power) but the pacing was off (the ending felt very rushed compared to the middle which was super slow). I liked the main character's daughter and her determination to teach children the truth of the world but wish there was more of her in the story.

[Ellie Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Europe Comics for this ARC!

The art style and color choices in this book are beautiful. Visually it was stunning. The story didn’t really grab me though. The messages about power, environmentalism, and politics were well handled but it was really disheartening that nothing really changed. The characters suffered from idealism to the point of nativity and it was their downfall. While this book was beautiful, it wasn’t satisfying overall.

[Katarína Laurošková · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't have that much to say about this one, the art was really nice but for me personally, the story is just not interesting enough to translate well into a graphic novel form. Usually, I finish novels in this form in one sitting but this one took me three days to get through. I would say that if you are familiar with the story and you know you like it, go for it, but other than that, you are not missing that much.

Thank you Netgalley UK for providing me with a copy of this book for an honest review.

[M0rrey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lu dans le cadre du prix de la BD Cezam 2023
Lecture assez intéressante mais elle ne m'a pas captivé de bout en bout. Je ne suis pas un grand fan du style graphique et des couleurs utilisées. L'histoire est sympathique, avec des hauts et des bas. Je l'ai trouvé un peu longue par moment, car je n'était pas totalement impliqué.
Je ne connaissais pas le texte d'origine de la pièce dont s'inspire cette BD, je ne peux donc pas juger la fidélité de l'adaptation.

[Kilams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Une triste réalité intemporelle en effet mais avec une piste de réflexion: l'éducation étant une condition nécessaire à la démocratie, et la démocratie la meilleure voie, ne devrions nous pas tout miser sur l'éducation ?

Réponse évidente pour moi mais superbement illustrée par cette BD.

[Sarah Baenen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This timely graphic novel speaks to so many political issues still around today, including corruption, abuse of power, and manipulation. The message was a bit heavy-handed, but I liked the story of the family at the center of the story. The artwork was also stunning.

ARC from NetGalley

[Susana P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Une excellente bd qui nous fait réfléchir au poids de la vérité et à la conviction des masses. Est-il préférable de se savoir dans le vrai mais seul et décrié ou vaut-il mieux suivre le mouvement, quitte à être dans le faux ? Qu'il s'agisse du scénario ou du dessin, tout est impeccable.

[David Sanz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Es sorprendente lo que ha conseguido el autor. Rostros expresivos, gestos naturales, paisajes preciosos y una historia bien narrada que no puedes dejar a medias. No he leído la obra original, pero esta novela gráfica merece un puesto de honor entre las mejores adaptaciones.

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intriguing and well-paced story of corruption, the power of the media and the nature of democracy. The beautiful artwork and color schemes adds to the story.

[Ed Erwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice adaptation of the Ibsen play. Nothing about the story is subtle, but it is effective. Telling an uncomfortable truth can make you very unpopular.

[The Laughing Man · Rating 5 out of 5]

A comic full of truth.

[GaryTheThunder · Rating 4 out of 5]

So aktuell wie es damals war, so aktuell ist es heute: Krise der Medien Wutbürger und Politikverdrossenheit. Dazu die schöne ligne claire von Rey, eine schöne Aufarbeitung des Klassikers.