Nury's story is gripping, brutal, and morally complex, dramatizing the fleeting nature of power. The first chapter spills out a jumbled chronology, presenting this complicated man as an overturned jigsaw puzzle, and the pages that follow fill in the blanks and tighten like a noose. Vallée's art has the cartoonish realism and cinematic verve of Steve Dillon. Thrilling, haunting, superb.” —Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review) 2019 Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Award – GOLD Winner for Graphic Novels & Comics “There are few Holocaust graphic novels that are as well researched and detailed.” —Dr. Jean-Marc Dreyfus, senior fellow at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum "Reminiscent of the best novels of John Le Carré, but based on true events, this is an absolutely riveting thriller that asks difficult questions about good and evil and whether actions taken in the heat of battle can be fairly adjudicated in peacetime. It’s easy to see why this work has already won the coveted Angoulême Award and sold over one million copies internationally.” —Library Journal, Starred Review and Editor’s Pick Fall 2019 “A fascinating hybrid of war history, biography and true crime, Once Upon a Time in France is a must-read for graphic novel fans as well as a compelling and artfully imagined story that will likely resonate with readers of all stripes.” —Shelf Awareness "Nury vividly illustrates how wartime leaves both victims and victimizers with dirty hands." —Publishers Weekly Is Joanovici a traitor or a hero? A man who sold his soul or a man who did the best he could in extremely difficult, nearly unimaginable circumstances? These are questions that the French courts had to determine and which Once Upon a Time in France also invites the reader to consider.” —European History Quarterly “The extraordinary moral ambiguity of Once Upon a Time in France makes it a fable for our times.” —Adm. James Stavridis USN ( Ret.), Supreme Allied Commander at NATO (2009-2013), Dean Emeritus, The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy Tufts University (Dean 2013-2018) "A critical and popular triumph, rewarded by the series prize at Angoulême, the saga by Fabien Nury and Sylvain Vallée takes us into a Dantesque portrayal of postwar France." —Écho des savanes "It is with regret that we must leave behind this Joseph Joanovici, who was a real person with a destiny that was nothing if not novelistic. . . . He became the ambiguous hero of a remarkable popular series in which the narrative remains dense and captivating throughout all six tomes, based on a flawless historical foundation." —Télérama "Combining cinematographic narrative with graphic skills in the best of the Franco-Belgian tradition, this story in history reveals not Manichaeistic good-evil oppositions but the depths of a complex individual and the darkness of a historical period." —THOMAS RABINO,Marianne “A wonderful story of dedication…. Fabien Nury does a wonderful job of retelling a story that intrigues on multiple levels. Add in the fact that this is pretty much a true story of WWII France, and it becomes even more appealing. If you love that era, or even stories with such moral quandaries, I highly recommend this graphic novel.” —That Hashtag Show “A chapter in this powerful work begins with Nietzsche’s quote: 'Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster.' This tale’s fascinating characters desperately try to remain untarnished as they navigate a hazy line between what’s altruistic and what is sinfully selfish. The beautiful visual storytelling and dialogue blend together perfectly.” —Carl Potts, Former Marvel Comics Executive Editor, School of Visual Arts professor "The saga by Fabien Nury and Sylvain Vallée ends superbly with the sixth episode. The final years of an ambiguous, magnificent character full of paradoxes are portrayed brilliantly by the two authors, disturbing notions of good and evil. Masterful!" —L’Écho républicain "Once upon a Time in France is one of the best series in recent years. Public and critical plaudits include the Parisian readers’ award in 2009 and the best-series award at Angoulême in 2011. The series traces the life of Joseph Joanovici, a Romanian Jewish scrap merchant who became one of the richest men in France during World War II." —Le Parisien "To portray Joseph Joanovici in a graphic novel is to plunge into the dark alleys of World War II. The Gestapo, collaborators, inhuman sufferings, the Resistance—Joseph Joanovici combined a little of it all, blended into a dark, maleficent alchemy. . . . Six years after the first volume, the story is still breathtaking, and readers remain riveted by the force of Fabien Nury’s script and the intensity of Sylvain Vallée’s graphics." —JEAN-PHILIPPE LEFEVRE, Coup de coeur BD "Once Upon a Time in France is a stunning read. It has a satisfying density, investigating ethical issues and grim deeds, not restricted to those with Joanovici’s involvement, yet within the format of a compelling crime thriller with utterly tragic moments. It’s amazingly drawn and won prizes at both of Europe’s most prestigious comic festivals, Angoulême and Lucca, and at a cover price of $29.99 for over 350 pages, it’s astonishingly good value.” —Slings & Arrows "Joanavici’s story is well-anchored by dramatic images and terse dialogue. With artwork that mimics a classic noir style, its nostalgic vibe suits its subject matter…. World War II buffs in particular will love the wealth of historical detail in Joanavici’s dizzying web of give-and-take as he plays both sides in the name of survival.” —Washington Independent Review of Books “The art is carefully drawn, and as one reads through Nury’s captions to Vallee’s panels, one is tempted … to admire Joanovici’s dogged determination and cleverness in the face of the ever-present likelihood of a firing squad.” —San Diego Jewish World “[A] cinematic, powerfully graphic novel.” —DOWNTHETUBES.NET "History with a big H is an extraordinarily vast pool of subjects. It is a true space of freedom without the budgetary constraints of filmmaking. . . . In historical graphic novels, writers can revisit earlier times to reveal things that are not widely known." —Fabien Nury, Marianne “Nury's fine dialogue and the excellent illustrations by Sylvain Valle bring an almost cinematic perspective to the book that keeps the reader turning pages. This book is highly recommended.” —Historical Novel Society “This story is emotionally rough and quite intense…. The illustrations are as intense as the story; the plot and illustrations combine perfectly to completely immerse you in this wretched, traumatic tale.” —San Francisco Book Review "The interior artwork looks great." —ComicsHeatingUp "Once Upon a Time in France does an excellent job drawing the reader into a completely different time and place. It forces contemplation of what the reader would do if in Joseph’s place. The artwork is beautiful and really enhances the feeling of immersion in French culture and the shock of war. 4.5 stars!” —Diane Reviews Books “Once Upon a Time in France is a fully realized example of the medium to depict drama and thematic development through the language of comics. Just as novels, films and paintings offer endless possibilities to a creative artist, so, too, do comics. Once Upon a Time in France belongs on a list of genuinely great comics.” —Jewish Herald-Voice “Excellently drawn by Vallee in a style reminiscent of film noir style, Nury tells a compelling tale using both actual historical figures, some composite characters and a few invented ones." —Spotter Up “Once Upon a Time in France is a carefully thought out exploration of the fragility of the relationship between survivalist instincts and morality, rendered in exquisite detail…. The artwork throughout is gorgeously detailed and Vallée is responsible for much of the emotional impact of the text through his subtle expression work on the faces of the characters. Disgust, fear, shame, deviousness, delight—each expression is palpable thanks to Vallée’s deft hand…. A quality printing of a highly recommended read, Once Upon a Time in France is well worth your time and money.” —Comic Watch “Once Upon a Time in France is such a gorgeous book. You will be utterly pleased by reading this impressive omnibus edition. It satisfies on many levels: as a brilliant example of the comics medium; as a wonderful taste of European culture; and as a rollicking good thriller!” —Comics Grinder “Award-winning Once Upon a Time in France presents the thrilling and complicated life of profiteer Joseph Joanovici, who made millions staying alive at any cost.” —The Times of Israel
★ 08/01/2019
Joseph Joanovici (1905–65) immigrates to France from Romania in the 1920s and seizes control of his wife's uncle's scrap-metal business. Joanovici's cunning and ambition help him become one of the richest men in Europe in the years leading up to Germany's occupation of France, whereupon Joanovici eagerly agrees to collaborate with the Nazis in order to keep his family safe. He eventually amasses a vast fortune that he uses to fund the French Resistance and connections and influence that he exploits to liberate 150 citizens seized by the Gestapo, as well as to silence anyone who threatens to reveal that he's secretly working for both sides. At the end of the war, Joanovici is proclaimed a hero by the French government and a traitor by those unwilling to accept the human cost of his actions. VERDICT Reminiscent of the best novels of John Le Carré, but based on true events, this is an absolutely riveting thriller that asks difficult questions about good and evil and whether actions taken in the heat of battle can be fairly adjudicated in peacetime. It's easy to see why this work has already won the coveted Angoulême Award and sold over one million copies internationally. [an editor's pick, see "Fall Fireworks," p. 23.]
★ 2019-07-01
Writer Nury (Atar Gull, 2019, etc.), illustrator Vallée (Katanga, 2019, etc.) and translator Hahnenberger (The Jungle, 2019, etc.) deliver a twisty historical-epic crime saga that follows a Jewish scrap-metal salesman's relentless dedication to staying alive—and getting ahead—before, during, and after the Nazi occupation of France.
As a child, Joseph Joanovici meets his future wife, Eva, as they hide out from a czarist pogrom in 1905 Romania. They eventually immigrate to Clichy, France, to stay with Eva's uncle, and Joseph demonstrates an uncanny skill in sorting metal, proving himself valuable in the uncle's scrap-metal shop. Though illiterate, the unconventionally ingenious Joseph devises a crude bookkeeping system that allows him to manage the shop's finances—and skim off the top to support his growing family. The extra cash enables Joseph to turn a sticky predicament for his uncle into a massive business opportunity for himself, and this ability to turn danger to his advantage raises Joseph's fortunes and reputation, bringing stability to his family even as the Nazis come to power, with reluctant—if profitable—material support from the Jewish ironmonger. The consummate opportunist, Joseph plays all sides, soon finding himself in league with Nazis, criminals, police, politicians, gamblers, businessmen, and the French Resistance, each move and alliance calculated to keep him and his loved ones alive even if it costs his soul and alienates those he protects. A vicious personal attack against an investigator earns Joseph an enemy who lingers long after the war. Nury's story is gripping, brutal, and morally complex, dramatizing the fleeting nature of power. The first chapter spills out a jumbled chronology, presenting this complicated man as an overturned jigsaw puzzle, and the pages that follow fill in the blanks and tighten like a noose. Vallée's art has the cartoonish realism and cinematic verve of Steve Dillon's.
Thrilling, haunting, superb.
