Versailles – My Father’s Palace is a beautifully researched graphic novel that combines biography and history. This story of Versailles is narrated by Henri de Nolhac, the son of Pierre de Nolhac who becomes the attaché of Versailles in 1887 and later the curator in 1892. Pierre originally took the job because it was the only opening in his field of study, but once he arrives with his family at the Palace, he throws himself into the work of learning the history and then changing the way France views Versailles. The author begins the story at the end of Pierre’s life, 1936, and has Henri explain the events of the renovation of Versailles after the French Revolution left if in disrepair and forgotten all while traveling back and forth from the time of the de Nolhac family’s arrival at Versailles to Pierre’s death.
I love the fact that the illustrations were in black and white and the style of the drawings reminded me of the book series Madeline, also based in France. It was a connection that helped me enjoy the book. The authors include a dossier at the end of the book with photographs that connect the characters to the real people. Some prior knowledge of France would be beneficial to the reader and enhance their appreciation of the work, but isn’t necessary. I enjoyed the illustrations so much that I showed a few random pages to a few students and asked their opinions. My middle school students’ responses:
• “The pictures look really interesting. I WOULD LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!!!”
• “I think it’s gorgeous how the illustrator blended the water color with bits of gray and black. I would definitely read it just to see the art on every page. So pretty!”
• “I think the attention to detail is amazing! (coming from someone who struggled immensely to make a detailed comic strip) I think I would definitely read this graphic novel.”
Thank you, Netgalley for the e-ARC!