Ballad for Sophie
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4.5 • 2 Ratings
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- $12.99
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- $12.99
Publisher Description
A young journalist prompts a reclusive piano superstar to open up, resulting in this stunning graphic sonata exploring a lifetime of rivalry, regret, and redemption. 1933. In the small French village of Cressy-la-Valoise, a local piano contest brings together two brilliant young players: Julien Dubois, the privileged heir of a wealthy family, and François Samson, the janitor’s son. One wins, one loses, and both are changed forever. 1997. In a huge mansion stained with cigarette smoke and memories, a bitter old man is shaken by the unexpected visit of an interviewer. Somewhere between reality and fantasy, Julien composes, like in a musical score, a complex and moving story about the cost of success, rivalry, redemption, and flying pianos. When all is said and done, did anyone ever truly win? And is there any music left to play?
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
A moving saga of artistic rivalry, guilt, and redemption, this elegantly drawn graphic novel frames a famous pianist's life story as a narrative reluctantly spilled to Adeline, an intern from French newspaper Le Monde. Growing up in 1930s France, Julien Dubois is a musical prodigy with a hard-driving single mother. But his talent can't compare to that of François Samson, a poor janitor's son, who physically levitates in his transcendent performances. Julien fixates on François, but François is more interested in protesting the occupying Nazis. Julien's mother, on the other hand, is literally in bed with the invaders. Julien struggles to escape his mother and his old music teacher, Hubert Triton, drawn as a devilish goat who transforms Julien into a cheesy pop sensation renamed Eric Bonjour. After a lifetime of mental and moral torment, Julien tries to make amends and revive François's name after his brooding rival's quiet death. The final section reveals that Adeline has been concealing her own true identity, leading to a touching conclusion. Cavia gives each section its own muted, retro color palette and depicts his characters with fine, expressive angular lines. The result is a sweeping, enjoyably soapy story of frailty and reconciliation.
