Memoirs of a Book Thief
by (artist) Pierre Van Hove, Alessandro Tota
Pierre Van Hove
Daniel Brodin – bibliophile, book thief, self-proclaimed poet – enters the heated atmosphere of the Cafe Serbier, home of the Parisian literati. A poetry night is taking place and, when one luminary suggests giving the floor to an unknown, Daniel impulsively puts himself forward. Under pressure, he recites not one of his own surrealist poems but an obscure piece of Italian verse he's certain no one will know. It's plagiarism – but it's a triumph. At last, success. Daniel's recital marks his entrance into the Parisian avant garde: a band of cultured rogues and pseudo-revolutionaries for whom life is a playground for art and planning a robbery has as much value as writing a book. In this milieu, the wine is good and the girls are beautiful - but can success last if it is founded on plagiarism, on theft? "Tota's dialogue is crisp and pointed, equally a mockery of and an ode to the squabbles and obsessions of the era. Behind the narrative of Daniel's hapless descent looms larger questions about art, value, and authenticity. This is a delightful graphic novel for artists seriously questioning themselves and anyone questioning "serious" art." Publishers Weekly
Alessandro Tota was born in Italy and lives in Paris. He is one of the founders of the magazine Canicola, which won the BD Alternative Prize at the Angoulême Festival in 2007. A graduate of the Academy of Fine Arts of Bologna, he is the author of numerous children's books (including the Angoulême-nominated Caterina) and graphic novels. Since 2011, he has been a lecturer in comics at the Auguste Renoi Technical College in Paris. Pierre Van Hove is an illustrator and graphic artist. He is the co-founder of Enfin, a production company that works in the fields of audiovisual production, animation and short films. In 2003, he wrote and directed the series of erotic cartoons "Un peu d'amour", which was broadcast on Canal+.
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