Incredibly expressive art and narrative. Beautiful, sentimental, heartbreaking, heartwarming, and excellent use of colors/aesthetic changing according to the story as it covers several decades and incredibly high and low moments of the protagonist’s life. The “twist” part of the ending was pretty predictable, but it doesn’t matter, enough comes along with it that it really pays off. I might not have technically shed a tear, but I definitely almost did. Oscar material if it were a film.

This graphic novel was very dense but would be wonderful for readers interested in music. I lost interest halfway through. Simply wasn't for me!

This is a fantastic graphic novel. The story follows a young journalist who gets a reclusive piano superstar to open up about a lifetime of rivalry, regret, and redemption. The illustrations are absolutely beautiful. The journey and connection of the characters is remarkable and leaves the reader wanting to hear the special sonata for themselves.

Special thanks to Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

In a story presented through flashbacks, a famous pianist both recounts his own history, faults, and regrets, but also the story of his, as he originally thought, his greatest rival, and how their lives intersected. At one level, it's a retelling of two personal histories, but it's also his arc of redemption.

Highly recommended!

Persistent journalist Adeline Jourdain convinces retired pianist Julien Dubois to tell his life story, beginning as a child prodigy whose mother pushed him to practice and play perfectly. As she stays in his large house and also gets to know his cat and housekeeper, she learns about his career and his rivalry with Francois Samson.

What a delightful story, primarily set during and after World War 2 in France. Felipe Melo's words and Juan Cavia's realistic color illustrations meld perfectly to tell a story of regret, redemption and the power of music.

Wow.
Just, wow.
One of the most moving and beautiful stories I have read in a very long time. This one will stick with me for a while.

I was intrigued by the synopsis and cover, and the story that unfolded on the pages did not disappoint. Great for fans of stories like Daisy Jones and the Six, reading this felt like I was watching a biopic -- the images were so vivid and the pacing so engaging that I quickly felt plunged into this fictional world, wishing I could hear these haunting musical pieces that were being discussed.

This book was absolutely beautiful. I am not typically a reader of graphic novels, but Ballad for Sophie was recommended by Jenny Lawson, so I was very interested!

The writing was just lovely- there was clearly so much thought put in to every word and the different speaking mannerisms of each character. The art- holy cow. I loved the facial expressions of the characters, I loved the interpretation of the goat, I loved the full page psychedelic illustrations that had so much to look at and explore, and I loved the different perspectives and body configurations. It was all just so gorgeous.

The last page gave me ACTUAL goosebumps.

Thanks so much to the publisher and NetGalley for the galley, I have already preordered a hard copy so I can stare at the pictures in real life!

I loved the art in this book! The stylistic character designs especially stood out, but the whole book is gorgeous. I also enjoyed the story as it spooled out, though the book's description, and Julien himself, makes it sound like François will be a bigger part of the story than he ends up being. Still, a very enjoyable read, especially for those who enjoy graphic memoirs and historical fiction.

*reviewed from uncorrected e-galley via netgalley*

adult graphic fiction (contains nudity, drugs, adult situations, language). Set in France 1930s-present day (through Nazi occupation and after)

gorgeously illustrated, beautifully told story of a musician's fantastic, dramatic, tragic life. I was thoroughly engrossed in this strange and riveting tale.

This beautifully illustrated graphic novel tells the history of a fictional pianist through the stories he tells a new friend. The story, while filled with his success, is also filled with sadness, regret, love, and loss. The writing is so well accompanied by illustrations that tell the story just as clearly. The graphic novel is told in several sections, each highlighting the personal story of a character. Although the story is one largely of sadness, the ending is lovely, hopeful, and uplifting. This is such a great and unexpected graphic novel I would encourage everyone to read. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Ballad for Sophie is the immersive story of a life-long rivalry between two gifted pianists, as told by one of the pianists - Julien Dubois - who is living as a recluse when a young journalist approaches him for an interview.

What a beautiful story! A young journalist arrives at the door of a world-renowned piano star for an interview that Julien Dubois doesn’t intend to give but something about the time, the reporter, or his conscience makes him settle in to tell his broken tale of anger, envy, and empty fame; from pre-World War II France, through disco, to the now—blurring the lines of fantasy and reality but always focusing on his flaws. It’s a beautifully drawn score with movements for each period of his life, including adopting the cat, his caretaker/housekeeper, and this last inquisitive guest.

Within the first ten pages, this book had my whole heart. The story and the art are amazing, and I can't wait to share it with my friends (and our customers!)

I adored this book and can't wait to share it with my students. The art was a perfect mirror to the story, which was beautiful.

In just a few minutes, it was clear that Francois Samson possessed "supernatural talent" and was arguably the greatest pianist of all time. He played with intensity, making intricate music come alive thus captivating audiences far and wide. Samson's life and that of Julien Dubois would change forever after a piano competition in Cressy-La-Valoise in 1933.

Julien Dubois, now a bitter, old, reclusive maestro, lived in a magnificent mansion. He no longer "tickled the ivories". He shunned journalists. A pesky intern from "Le Monde" slept on his front steps after being escorted from the maestro's house. Adeline Jourdain piqued his interest when she recognized a recording of Chopin's E Minor Prelude played by Francois Samson. Maestro agreed to be interviewed. The story that unfolded was one of hatred, envy, regret and redemption told by a sickly gentleman who often interjected fact with fancy.

It started with a piano competition. Julien Dubois, a wealthy heir, was schooled in piano by his mother, an overly critical taskmaster who made him practice up to ten hours a day. It was expected that he would win the contest. A last minute entry, the theatre cleaner's son Francois was a self
taught pianist who practiced in the theatre's upstairs dressing rooms. He was dirty, skinny and needed a new pair of shoes. Ten year old Francois Samson played encore after encore of Chopin Etudes from memory. He should have won. The jury, the host and the critics had been bribed. Julien was angry. He had wanted to beat Francois fair and square.

A second opportunity went awry. The year 1940. The Germans arrived in Paris. Suddenly, people would mysteriously disappear. While Julien and his mother entertained the Germans in their salon with piano music and sing-alongs, Francois's music, accompanied by vocalization of his principles, caused him to be sent to Auschwitz where he conducted an orchestra of prisoners playing marches for those going to work camps.

After the war, while Francois Samson was continuing to make a splash in the classical music world, at the expense of Julien's dignity, one song changed everything. Julien was transformed into Eric Bonjour, superstar. Julien did not deserve or ultimately desire his ill-gotten rewards. He was yet to hurt someone who believed in him more than he believed in himself. He would commit the ultimate betrayal. Was redemption even possible before it was too late?

"Ballad for Sophie" was penned by a dynamic duo of Portuguese graphic novels. The exemplary story written by Felipe Melo was breathtakingly illustrated by Juan Cavia. Kudos to this talented team!

Thank you IDW Publishing/Top Shelf Productions and Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

As a professional who works with adult literacy students, I am always on the lookout for engaging stories for adults, written in a way that adult learners can understand and read. Graphic novels are a great option for adult learners because the art tells so much of the story. Ballad for Sophie will make a great addition to our collection of books for adult learners.
It is a touching story of a reclusive and self-tortured musician and the woman who interviews him in his later years. This book touches on history, family relationships, decisions, love interests, regrets and so much more. The beautiful illustrations bring the story to life on every page. The characters are engaging and interesting and I was hooked from the start. I couldn't wait to read the entire thing.

**Note - because of the publication date, this blog post is not yet live. It is scheduled for August 6, 2021.
Information:
Author: Filipe Melo
Illustrator: Juan Cavia
Translator: Gabriela Soares
Release date: September 7, 2021
My Thoughts:

For the older YA graphic novel reader, Ballad for Sophie tackles questions like can power, privilege and success be "bought"? What is the physical and emotional toll of regret? This story about a young journalist and a highly successful but very bitter and isolated artist at the end of his life acts as a kind of allegory for readers. I found it similar in artistic style and tone to the graphic novel adaptation of Hunter S. Thompson's Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, but without as much booze, drugs and sex. I think the questions I am left with at the end of this story is what is the cost of success and what is the cost of "winning"?

From the Publisher:
A young journalist prompts a reclusive piano superstar to open up, resulting in this stunning graphic sonata exploring a lifetime of rivalry, regret, and redemption.

1933. In the small French village of Cressy-la-Valoise, a local piano contest brings together two brilliant young players: Julien Dubois, the privileged heir of a wealthy family, and François Samson, the janitor's son. One wins, one loses, and both are changed forever.

1997. In a huge mansion stained with cigarette smoke and memories, a bitter old man is shaken by the unexpected visit of an interviewer. Somewhere between reality and fantasy, Julien composes, like in a musical score, a complex and moving story about the cost of success, rivalry, redemption, and flying pianos.

When all is said and done, did anyone ever truly win? And is there any music left to play?

This beautifully-illustrated graphic novel chronicles the fictional life of famous pianist Julien Dubois (stage name Eric Bonjour). One day, as he is slowly dying from cancer, a young journalist knocks on his door for an interview. In the face of her patience, the reluctant Julien gives in and tells her his life story--particularly his interactions with piano prodigy François Samson. The two compete in their youth, but when World War II breaks out both of their lives change dramatically. As the days go by, Julien reveals the most painful of secrets. But in the end, the journalist stuns him with a revelation he never could have anticipated.

Ballad for Sophie is a lovely, sad story about how greed, fame, and wealth can cause havoc in a person's life. It's also about how talent can be used to achieve fame or alternately how it can be used to create a platform and stand up for the causes you believe in. I look forward to reading more of Filipe Melo's work.

This is an amazing historical fiction graphic novel. With the colors of each panel beautifully matching the mood of the book it is easy to get immersed in the story. Each section for a character made them feel like a real person you were getting to know. With a great ending this book left nothing to be desired.