"How many times have I told them that I'm enjoying life and finally taking my time? While in reality, it's actually time that's taking me, bit by bit, like the cruel tide gnawing at the cliffside."

Blossoms in Autumn is a beautiful work of art. It's so rare to find love stories featuring older couples presented in an interesting and relatable manner, yet this comic is something any age of adult can appreciate. The art style is wonderful, bright and colourful with facial expressions that say just as much as the text bubbles do.

The pacing was fantastic. I never felt bored at any point and it was easy to let myself drift along with the story. The section in which the phrase 'How many times' was repeated over and over was brilliant. It really reinforced the constant sense of meaninglessness, isolation and monotony that can creep in as you get older and also served as a great tool to progress through a lot of panels without the story feeling rushed.

The contrast in both parties of the couple going through the same struggle of being old in a world that doesn't look kindly on it made the story have so much more depth. Mediterranea going from being scared of old women as a child, to being a model in her adult life, to then growing to feel insecure about her body aging was so impactful. The scene where she compared herself to the witch she'd been afraid of as a child made me feel so deeply for her.

I also adored how sexuality was not shyed away from. The assumption from the young of society that sex is something which shouldn't be spoken of past a certain age is sadly all too prevelant. It was heartwarming to see it displayed here in such a truthful, light manner. All in all this comic was delightful and I will definitely be suggesting it to people I know.

Blossoms in autumn is rare for a graphic novel, in that the story, revolves around two people struggling with loss and aging in a world that no longer considers them viable.  The romance was sweet, if a tad unrealistic at the end. There are some sexual scenes and nudity but that didn’t bother me. The artwork was well done.  Overall, a sweet look at an age group, we don’t get books about as often as we should.

Blossoms in Autumn is a graphic novel about starting over in your sixties. We see a woman who can only see an old witch in the mirror, who feels her age in the looks and comments from friends and strangers. We see a man whose forced retirement leaves him with nothing to do with his time but to contemplate what his life is good for. Paths cross and they fall for each other rather quickly. Their relationship is tender and full of humor. In a way, they become teenagers at the end, leaving their lives behind to start fresh.

The art is vivid and full of little details. We see how age affects the body, how everything looks different from our younger days. The artist doesn’t shy away from the sex scenes, showing everything in graphic detail. The scenes are intimate and thoughtful. It’s an art style that works well with the material, showing us the complexities of our bodies when we age, and the little details in the worlds we’ve become attached to. 

Overall, Blossoms in Autumn is a well-done graphic novel that shows a new couple starting their lives again. There are some unexpected occurrences that may seem far-fetched but altogether it’s a story of new beginnings and a return to youth, no matter how old the world thinks you are.

The artwork is beautiful, well drawn and colored. The page layouts are more effective in moving the story forward, than the text itself. The potential for an excellent story was there, a love story about a late-middle-aged couple, both at a vulnerable place in their lives,  finding each other.  Unfortunately, the writing was flat, cliched, and uninspiring, Graphic sex scenes make it an unlikely purchase for a high percentage a public library collections.

I received this graphic novel from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.

I was pretty excited to read this book because of two reasons, Zidrou and Aimée de Jongh. The subject of the book wasn't that interesting to me, though I did like the finding new romance aspect. Maybe I will, when I am as old as this couple, also appreciate the other things. :)

This book is about Ulysses and Mediterranea, two people in the autumn of their lives (they are old, but not that old yet) both of them had their share of things happening. Medi lost her mother, Ulysses lost his job due to forced retirement. They meet at, of really all the places to find someone, Ulysses's son's OB/GYN office. I loved that you immediately saw a spark between the two of them. Sure, it was a bit of a hesitant spark because both of them didn't expect to find someone at their age and at this spot, but that spark soon grew to much more. I was so rooting for these two to truly get together, because people weren't always that accepting of them. 

We read about their lives, their youth, their family, about Ulysses and how he feels now that he is out of a job, and how they feel now that they have older bodies. I really loved that this was added, it gave so much more to this book. It made me love the characters more, and root for them further. These two souls needed to be together. To walk hand in hand through the autumn and winter of their lives. 

There was at least one thing that had me going eh, and that was the scene in which Ulysses pays for sex and gets a blowjob. Not something I needed to see. I did feel kind of sorry for the woman later, I have a feeling she wasn't doing it that much for the money, but maybe also had feelings for Ulysses in a way or another.

The ending? I am kind of on the fence on how I felt about it. On the one hand very sweet and romantic, on the other hand... no. I won't spoil anything, so I will stop here, but it was a very conflicting ending for me. 

The art was pretty great, I am always amazed at how fabulous Aimée can draw. I have seen many of her works, read many of them, but I never stop being amazed. What a talent.

Telling the story of two people over the age of 60 finding love and unexpected surprises along the way. Ulysses and Mediterranea both share the pain of having unusual names and understand the loneliness that comes with old age. After a chance encounter at Ulysses' son's gynaecology office, the pair realise that they still have the chance to fall in love.

Blossoms in Autumn is a super sweet and charming read. It is a cute romantic comedy that isn't afraid to deal with big issues. It pulls no punches in its attempt to show the life of older people and, particularly with Ulysses' retirement, the sense of worthlessness associated with advancing years. However, it ends up being a positive look at life and will leave any reader feeling full of hope.

In terms of the graphics, I loved the realistic style here. Everything is wonderfully rendered and the use of colour is fantastic. Their lives start in muted greys and browns to show how cut off from society they are. The past is full colour but their present lacks much excitement. Until, of course, the couple meet and slowly colour starts to seep in. They start to find happiness and purpose. They rediscover their youth and the use of colour is perfect.

All in all, this is a wonderful and quick read. A beautiful and unusual love story. We don't often get to see this side of old age but it refreshing and fun.

I enjoyed the soft art of Blossoms in Autumn. But most of all I enjoyed hearing a voice you don't see often in media especially graphic novels. But i felt like it didn't tell the whole story; not sure if there is to be another volume or not.I also didn't like the tirade went on at the climax as if it was only his choice what would happen in their lives.

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!"

Can love blossom in autumn? When Ulysses and Mediterranea meet, they find each other in the "autumn" of their life: he lost his job and she lost her mother.. But together they can heal their wounds and create a new life for themselves (60 is the new 40, right?!)
The artwork is simply wonderful!

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.

Blossoms in Autumn is a heart warming, unique story that that tells the story of love at an old age. Mediterranea has become the oldest member of her family after the death of her mother. Ulysses is forced into retirement after his company “downsizes”. Both are dealing with the effects of society thinking they are too old. They find eachother and decided to spend their days being “old” together with a few surprises along the way.

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.