ljredux

The francophile from Stoke.

Max de Radiguès is well worth your time

2019-01-02 Books

Bâtard

Year: 2017  ▪  192 pages
Author: Max de Radiguès
Language: French
Estimated Level: B1-B2 (CEFR)
ISBN: 978-2203141414

Rated:  (5)

Buy from Amazon UK

I was in two minds about this BD after spotting a review on a French blog last year so I put it on my Amazon Wish List instead of buying.

It was clearly a cheeky title aimed at an adult audience, and the monochrome drawing style seemed rather crude—more Viz-like than the colourful and exquisitely drawn graphic novels that normally appeal to me.

Thank goodness then for the good friend who came across my list and surprised me with it out of the blue. Not only did I get a compelling tale that I have now devoured three times since last summer, but I discovered the exceptional talent that is Max de Radiguès. I will certainly be on the look-out for more of his work in the future.

Given the bad language, (comical) nudity and violence in Bâtard, you probably don’t want to buy it for your kids. Having said that, I would probably have learned French sooner if my mother had given me books like this as a teenager. 😏