WORLD WORLDWIDE EUROPE FRANCE - news journal UPDATE - (en) France, UCL AL #362 - Culture - Read: François Schuiten, Jim (ca, de, fr, it, pt, tr)[machine translation]

 Comic book fans are familiar with François Schuiten, his subtle, refined

style that invites us to visit his imaginary cities. Jim does not belong
to this dimension. The artist-illustrator invites us to share this
unique moment of January 24, 2023, a time of memories, a tender
evocation. Anyone who has shared the life of an animal will be familiar
with the expression "bête à chagrin" (a sad beast), which recalls that
time when the loss of a loved one generates great sadness, pain, or
suffering.
Jim is a dog, full of kindness, intelligence, and complicity. His
companion, in this case the author, suffers from his loss. The world
around him becomes one of sorrow, tears, and loneliness, and, as
therapy, the pen and pencil remain. François Schuiten invites us to
share all these moments, these memories. The text is sober, precise, and
subtly accompanies a spare yet powerful drawing. We follow these tender
moments daily: the adorable puppy, the neglected walk, the nap with
François, curled up in his fur, the dog as a faithful observer at his
window, not to mention the superhero... And the gradual fading away.

François Schuiten has brilliantly and simply used the art of comics, a
skill he masters perfectly, to fill the inner void left by Jim's
passing. A memoir, to pay tribute to the memory of his faithful
companion. A book of affection highlighting this hidden and implicit
relationship between a human and an animal. Reading this book echoes in
readers' own memories, the strength and significance of these very
special bonds. François Schuiten, so comfortable with reversing
perspectives, uses his art to make Jim grow. He is the hero of this
narrative and occupies the entire space. Sometimes his graphic
representation goes beyond the conventional dimension that links human
and animal.

A book in a small 16 x 20 format, with a limited number of pages, but a
large work, full of sensitivity.

Dominique Sureau (UCL Angers)

François Schuiten, Jim, Rue de Sèvres, 2023, 128 pages, 16 euros.

https://www.unioncommunistelibertaire.org/?Lire-Francois-Schuiten-Jim
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