Epileptic 1
by David B.
1996-1998
L'Association
Paris, France
ISBN: 2844140858
Plot Summary:
Pierre-Francois is a young child in rural 1960's France. He has a sister, Florence, and an older brother, Jean-Christophe, who suffers from severe epilepsy. As the children age and Jean-Christophe's condition worsens, the family engages in a series of major moves and lifestyle changes in attempt to help heal Jean-Christophe.
Critical Evaluation:
David B.'s sensitive autobiography of growing up with his addled brother manages to walk a tightrope of empathy and anger. His brother's inability to see outside of his condition ultimately disables the family from seeing outside of it either, and David B. reveals the multiple dramatic decisions the family made in attempts to heal Jean-Christophe. These changes are staged in relief to those greater historical changes that both preceded their childhood and occurred simultaneously. Throughout, David B. interweaves personal family tragedies and ongoing nightmares in a simplistic line-drawn fashion, supporting his words, and adding to his expressions of emotion.
Reader's Annotation:
Jean-Christophe has an obsession with dictators and a predilection for falling into seizures when anxious. His family engages in a series of moves to communes, macrobiotic doctors, and anti-psychology, all in attempt to cure him. Looking back on these years, Pierre-Francois slowly uncovers the pain his family bears because of the struggle against epilepsy.
Genre:
Graphic Novel/Autobiography
Author Info:
David B. is a well-known French graphic novelist and artist. He was a co-founder of the comics publisher L'Association. The Comics Journal named him "Cartoonist of the Year" in 1998.
Reader Level/Interest Age:
Mature Teens and up.
Booktalking Ideas:
*How does the outside world's responses to Jean-Christophe's condition effect the family?
*Why are brothers so obsessed with violence and war?
*How are their parents' choices influenced by the changing ideologies and culture in France?
Challenge Issues:
None foreseeable.
Why Include?:
Epileptic is a famous autobiographical comic series, and I have been wanting to check it out for some time.
