This was so good! So many romances leave out this age group, and it was sweet to see them fall for each other

(Warning, this is explicit - there’s lots of nudity, sexual and non-sexual - so if that bothers you it might be best to avoid this)

Brilliant, human, raw yet poetic, Blossoms in Autumn touched me right at my very core. It was so refreshing to read a story featuring older protagonists, honest and flawed, both with rich histories, caught in the middle of trying to make sense of life with all of its twists and turns. Dripping with dark humour and peppered with symbolism, this beautifully written story follows the paths of two very different people who seem fated to be brought together when they least expect a new romance to blossom in their lives, and the way so much changes when they finally join.

Getting to know and connecting emotionally with these characters was an absolute pleasure, peeling back layers of meaning and taking in the events which define the human experience - death, birth, love, beginning and endings, cycles of life. 5 stars.

This comic is a solid C grade from me, taking the average of a lot of bits I absolutely loved and several that I would like to remove entirely.

The book, which is set in urban France, begins with Ulysses, a 59 year old man, being forced into retirement from his job as a mover. We follow him for several pages as he explores the corners of his new gray existence. His wife died many years ago, as did one of his children. This leaves him with a grown son (an OB-GYN) and a group of friends with whom he no longer works. He doesn't even have a cat. It's achingly lonely. There's also a scene in which he visits a sex worker and it's clear that this is a regular thing for them.

We meet 62 year old Mediterranea as she is saying goodbye to her dying mother, then passing the funeral arrangements on to her brother. Her life is also lonely, but she owns and operates a cheese shop, so she's not retiring any time soon.

The romance that unfolds between the two is sweet and funny and very real. The ways in which their bodies are illustrated is both realistic and empathetic. Even as Mediterranea, a former nude model, is despairing of her wrinkles, her body isn't presented to the viewer as an object of disgust. It simply is. This is all the more clear when the two characters come together physically for the first time. It was quite lovely to see two mature adults together in this way. The art style is soft and the colors are muted, which gives the entire book a gentle feel.

But (you knew this was coming) there are two things that really bothered me about the book. The first is the relationship with the sex worker - not that it exists, but how it's treated. The chapter in which Ulysses says goodbye to her is titled "the comfort woman," and anyone who's read about the comfort women during WWII will understand why that bothered me a whole lot. This is a comic in translation, however, so I sort of let that slide. My real issue is that it's very clear that Ulysses is seeking sex as a way to feel less alone, but we never get any idea what Mediterranea's dating or romantic life has been like. We know that she never had children and that she's been acting as caretaker for her mother... but doesn't she get to have a physical outlet as well? Doesn't she have the right to physical pleasure before meeting Ulysses? There are a few subtle jokes at her expense throughout the book (Ulysses joking about jerking off to her nude photos as a teen, etc) and the whole thing just feels off.

The second bit is a big spoiler, so I'm going to give you a quick verdict first - buy this if you want a sweet romance comic featuring two older protagonists, but keep in mind that the HEA might not be what you expect.



SPOILERS AHEAD







AVAST, SPOILERS HO







The issue I had with the ending of the book is that Mediterranea becomes pregnant. She's 62. They quickly discuss terminating the pregnancy, but go ahead. There's no ultrasound. Instead, the characters blow off their families and run away to Corsica. The book ends with Ulysses holding Mediterranea from behind as they both cradle her very pregnant belly.

I would have preferred an ending without a miracle pregnancy. I'm not sure why it was necessary... at all. Do we not believe in a happily-ever-after beyond menopause? Is there really a reason why the heroine's menopause needed to stop after meeting Ulysses? I just... I'd like to chop off the last twenty pages of this book.



Content Warnings: Grief, miracle pregnancy, ageism



Suzanne received a copy of this book for review via NetGalley.

That was weird and a fair bit more depressing than I expected.
The illustrations were fantastic and honest in the details with many wonderful one liners to be found throughout.
Thank you NetGalley and Europe Comics for this DRC.
"And wham! Take that right in your wrinkles, old girl!"

I loved this. It is a beautiful story about a widower who is made redundant at 59. He then has to find a new way of living and he struggles but copes. He then bumps into a 62 year old former model who runs her own cheese shop and a friendship develops between the two of them.

And as the friendship deepens love emerges and the two of them decide to grasp all that life still has to offer them and they do this despite the moaning of the man's son and daughter in law and why not?

Why should older people be written off as if they can't still live, love and enjoy what the world has to offer. I must say that this kind of negativity towards age is prevalent in global North cultures but less so elsewhere. I have never seen negative attitudes towards age in West Africa and instead age is actually revered. (In my experience at least).

The story provides a beautiful perspective on what is possible and why we should continue to embrace love throughout our lives. The artwork was lovely with simple graphics that conveyed the story in a gentle but yet powerful way.

I loved this story so much that I am going to buymyself a paperback copy for my own collection.

This is a lovely story for anyone who enjoys romance with their graphic novels.

Copy provided by Europe Comics via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

A very philosophical and entertaining look at aging and sudden miracles that can change your whole life.

What a delightful read, this was a great uplifting story about to older people who find love and happiness.

The illustrations were great, telling so much of the story, and accompanied by precise text, made for a great read.

I'd love to read more books like this.

I was given a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved this story because there are not many opportunities for readers to get hold of a love story about an older couple. I loved the colors in this book and the art in general with simple language that spoke to me at every page. The themes in this book are also quite interesting: ageism, loneliness, generations clash and sex in old age which was interesting to read about, seeing all the ways it changed the characters and the way they saw themselves. The two main characters have to learn to let go of the box their lives have put them in and realize that they are still alive and can still go on adventures. I loved their love story and the way it dealt with all the problems that come with looking around and realizing you don't recognize the person in the mirror and that everyone you knew is dead or not present anymore.

Thank you to Net Galley and Europe Comics for this beautiful ARC.

Received via Netgalley for review.

A poignant story about how growing older isn't the end of romance, life, or joy. The characters are lovingly drawn, with their wrinkles, white hair, and all.

I didn't quite enjoy the fact that Mediterranea gets pregnant at such an advanced age AND they decide to keep it, but I understand why that narrative choice was made.

What I don't understand is the lack of "l"s in the narration. There doesn't seem to be any thematic or symbolic reason for it, and it makes things just a little bit more difficult to read.

It started really nice, the beginning was interesting, kind of poetic and I was waiting when the two of them are going to meet. Then they met. They fell in love. They had sex. To this point, it was a nice romance story about two old folks, kind and funny. And then, I don't know if the author got hit or something, but Mediterranea getting pregnant in her 62 years, nope. That ruined it for me, completely. Besides that, I did not find it extraordinary in any way, it was just a nicely written and drawn story.

A beautiful and sad graphic novel. There is a lot to love in this one. I'll definitely be recommending this one to patrons.

This is a frank, thoughtful, engaging look at two people finding new love in the latter stages of life. It's well executed both in script and in art. My only real complaint would be a medical plot twist that's wildly improbable (though not technically impossible) and which feels rather superfluous to me.

Interesting story. Kind of sweat with a little humor. The only other comments are that the art was well done, and the characters were endearing. For those seeking an adult graphic novel, recommended.

I really appreciate the copy for review!

5 stars Thanks to NetGalley and Europe Comics for allowing me to read and review this graphic ARC. Publishes March 20, 2019.

Such a wonderful open graphic, written with flare in a European style. The author, Zidrou, actually Benoît Drousie of Brussels, has brought a wonderful story to light with an abundance of human emotions, open to the thoughts and actions of middle aged adults. European Comics is definitely more unimpeded in their views of sex than we are here in the States, but this graphic was done in very good taste.

Aimée de Jongh, born in the Netherlands, and an accomplished figure in Dutch comics, has brought forth a sterling illustration of the characters in this story. Depicting the main characters, both in youth and middle age, brought life to this story.

The story is two middle aged singles who find each other accidentally in the 'autumn' of life. We become voyeurs as their romance grows. Throughout this short story we see death, love and the miracle of new life.

I was truely moved by this story.
It is a boy meets girl romance with a twist.
For nine months the woman (61) has been nursing and caring for her dying mother. With her passing she becomes the head of the family and feels her age; unmarried, childless, there she seems little prospect for her life and looking at her sagging body she feels her time has been and gone.
Meanwhile, the man, (60 ish) is tired from his years moving other peoples belongings. The financial downturn has left fewer house moves and more economic solutions found to save homeowners money. Hire a van, get mates to help out. Who needs an expensive professional service? As a result of such realitities the removers need to cut back its workforce, the old guy loses his job and is forced into the inactivity of early retirement. Washed up and no longer with a routine to his day.

All things change when a meeting of two lonely souls shows there is life in these old dogs yet. but can real love blossom in later life?

I absolutely adored this funny and moving tale that resonated on so many levels with the attitudes of society. Not only did the words make sense and real people were identified in the characters. Their life situations were believable both in despair and renewed hope. So we are invited to see older people differently, that are still able to show affection, share difficult times in their past and embrace a possible future which just weeks before seemed impossible to contemplate. The cartoon drawings are on another level, as they lift the story onto another level. It becomes all consuming and allows in its candid reality and the reflection of wrinkles to remove the thought of elderly relationships as unnatural. Where younger people might feel anything is inappropriate beyond falling asleep in front of the TV and perhaps holding hands. The text here combined with illustrations make the man and the woman just like any human beings, not just capable of love but unable to be anything other than a sensual couple.

A real fillip for showing that 60 is the new 40 and a celebration of life.
I was delighted to not only read this comic book but to become lost in the illustrated world of two people who when not looking for anything special found that something extra that changes a grin into a smile and that twinge into a flutter.
A must read and a genuine life affirming graphic novel that justifies this form of literature and demonstrates storytelling suits any medium. But when words and pictures join together in such synchronicity as they do here, there is no better way to get that story across.

The artwork alone in this book is worth picking it up for, stunningly beat I couldn’t stop admiring it. The story itself is lovely and autumn romances aren’t something you see in graphic novels much too much. Heartfelt story and beautiful illustration what more could you ask

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion