3rd out of 19 books
—
4 voters
Britten and Brülightly
by
Hannah Berry
'Nowadays I don't get out of bed for less than a murder. I don't get out of bed much...Until today.'
'Private Researcher' Fern�ndez Britten is the messenger who would view being shot as a blessing. The years spent uncovering people's secret dramas and helping to confirm their darkest suspicions have taken their toll. Battered by remorse over the lives he has ruined, he clin...more
'Private Researcher' Fern�ndez Britten is the messenger who would view being shot as a blessing. The years spent uncovering people's secret dramas and helping to confirm their darkest suspicions have taken their toll. Battered by remorse over the lives he has ruined, he clin...more
Paperback, 104 pages
Published
April 3rd 2008
by Jonathan Cape
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Sep 08, 2009
Trish
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
graphic-novels,
literature
I love the idea of graphic novels. I love the idea that drawings can instantly tell us things about people and situtions and language provides depth, gloss, and character. Persepolis gave us serious biography graphically, and now Britten and Brülightly takes us part of the way to what I imagine is possible for graphic literature. The art is superbly suitable for the noirish mystery. It was nuanced, and showed us slight variations in meanings. The choice of frames impelled the story forward at a...more
This was quite a strange little book.
This is the story of a "researcher" (apparently he dislikes the name private investigator) Fernandez Britten who is working the case of Bernie Kudos, an man who committed suicide...or did he?
I will say I really enjoyed the art in this graphic novel. It had a very dark watercolor look to it. My only complaint was that the action scenes were so dark that it was hard to see enough details to follow what exactly was happening. The lines were all very soft, desp...more
This is the story of a "researcher" (apparently he dislikes the name private investigator) Fernandez Britten who is working the case of Bernie Kudos, an man who committed suicide...or did he?
I will say I really enjoyed the art in this graphic novel. It had a very dark watercolor look to it. My only complaint was that the action scenes were so dark that it was hard to see enough details to follow what exactly was happening. The lines were all very soft, desp...more
Dec 25, 2011
Jason Mills
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Fans of crime, noire, comics
Recommended to Jason by:
Acquaintance of the writer
"Don't be lecherous. You're a teabag."
A graphic novel about a pair of detectives, one of whom is, indeed, a teabag (see if you can guess which from their names...). Fernandez Britten is weary of being "the Heartbreaker", famous for investigating adultery cases and wrecking families. He takes on instead a case about an apparent suicide, possible a murder; but finds troubling links back to an unhappy investigation from years ago.
The story is complex, the dialogue dry and witty, but underlying the...more
This book came out of nowhere for a lot of people; apparently this is Berry's first book, but it is definitely accomplished and shows a visual flair that you'd expect to see developed over a period of time. I guess there's some element of animation to her style, the way her characters, especially but not only "Research Consultant"- Investigator Britten. The relative surprise of Berry's chops is good, though, because it's brought some attention to a book that deserves it, at least up to a point.
M...more
M...more
(Spoilers Ahead!!!)
Don't let the fact that his "unconventional" partner is a tea-bag fool you: this is a very depressing story, with a tragic ending. Every page is filled with a dark color scheme, and even darker meanings. This isn't your little brother's comic book-this is a tragedy of Edgar Allen Poe caliber.
That said, this really was a masterpiece. The pictures and texts combine with each other so well-it's all just one big picture. Britten and Brulightly's characters are deeply developed, so...more
Don't let the fact that his "unconventional" partner is a tea-bag fool you: this is a very depressing story, with a tragic ending. Every page is filled with a dark color scheme, and even darker meanings. This isn't your little brother's comic book-this is a tragedy of Edgar Allen Poe caliber.
That said, this really was a masterpiece. The pictures and texts combine with each other so well-it's all just one big picture. Britten and Brulightly's characters are deeply developed, so...more
Maybe I was supposed to take it seriously, but I got a kick out of this angsty detective story/graphic novel. I love reading Raymond Chandler novels, but I also think they beg to be made fun of, or at least imitated in a clever way. Berry's book does that AND has a randy teabag as a supporting character. I'm laughing again, remembering the "Wha-?" reaction I had when I first met the Heartbreaker's partner. But okay, it's a talking teabag. A teabag with needs. (Hah!)
The illustrations are wonderfu...more
The illustrations are wonderfu...more
You know, usually I'm suspicious of back of the cover descriptions, but this truly is a "gorgeously drawn, strikingly original graphic-novel murder mystery". I loved it. It had a perfect blend of strong characters and gritty realism with exquisite watery art that often looked like watercolors but worked like hard-edged pencil sketches.
The entire premise was so original, Fern as the hard boiled detective that is overwhelmed by depression and ennui, and that he talks to a teabag that talks back t...more
The entire premise was so original, Fern as the hard boiled detective that is overwhelmed by depression and ennui, and that he talks to a teabag that talks back t...more
The world of comic books and graphic novels is sadly lacking in female contributors, but new voices are beginning to appear on the scene. One such writer is Hannah Berry with her debut graphic novel Britten and Brulightly, published first in Britain but recently released in the United States by Metropolitan Books. With a confident artistic style and a unique take on the PI/murder mystery angle, it establishes Berry as a woman cartoonist able to think for herself. She neither crafts a female-cent...more
Fern Britten is a private researcher (investigator has too many negative connotations) who has been dubbed the Heartbreaker. In his line of work, jealous lovers prevail, and it is his unfortunate duty to reveal the truth...which often is less than pleasant. Britten is determined to stop dealing with paranoid lovers (even if they are rightly paranoid), but when he gets involved in a case of suicide, blackmail, and of course jealous lovers, he may be in way over his head.
I adored the artwork in th...more
I adored the artwork in th...more
Apr 01, 2009
Jennifer
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
graphic-novels,
adult-books
This beautifully drawn GN debut chronicles the adventures of hopeless cynical detective Frenandez Britten and his um, unusual partner Brulightly, a wry, sarcastic, talking...teabag. Yes, I know. It was odd, but I went with it. It's not apparent whether Brulightly is
actually talking or if it's a figment of Britten's imagination. They strive to solve a convoluted murder disguised as a suicide, but I was confused by the unclear relationships between characters early on, and
stayed that way. The tone...more
actually talking or if it's a figment of Britten's imagination. They strive to solve a convoluted murder disguised as a suicide, but I was confused by the unclear relationships between characters early on, and
stayed that way. The tone...more
Im still a bit torn on the whole graphic novel experience. I dont generally seek them out and since most that ive seen appear way too "comic bookie" for my tastes i will generally avoid them altogether. occasionally however, one will catch my eye. this usually tends to be due to striking artwork and a premise that appears to be more realism based, which is just the case with Britten and Brulightly. The story is a classic noir set in 1940's London and revolves around PI Fernandez Britten as he ag...more
Oct 27, 2010
Sweetman Sweetman
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
graphic novel fan, detective story lovers
Recommended to Sweetman by:
library find
I often turn to the graphic novel when I’m in between books or as a follow-up after finishing a really great book. A good graphic novel has a way of cleaning house, getting rid of clutter and clearing my mind. They are quick yet satisfying. And don’t call them comics.
Britten and Brulightly is a highly stylized, very smart debut graphic novel by Hannah Berry. I love a well rendered graphic novel. I am in awe of the artists ability, with a few drawings to pull the reader through pages of action, d...more
Britten and Brulightly is a highly stylized, very smart debut graphic novel by Hannah Berry. I love a well rendered graphic novel. I am in awe of the artists ability, with a few drawings to pull the reader through pages of action, d...more
Britten is a depressed private detective known as the Heartbreaker, as his investigations always seem to bring pain along with the truth. Brulightly is his lighter hearted partner and also happens to be a tea bag. Britten is convinced to take a case which looks like suicide but may well be murder, and he hopes this time the truth will bring closure.
The case, as cases so, soon gets complicated and Britten finds himself in danger along with a bundle of mysteries.
A pleasingly complex graphic novel...more
The case, as cases so, soon gets complicated and Britten finds himself in danger along with a bundle of mysteries.
A pleasingly complex graphic novel...more
Britten is a depressed private detective who hates his life, mainly because he's known for delivering news that ends marriages, a fact that has earned him the nickname of "The Heartbreaker". Brulightly is his partner, a lecherous tea bag that sometimes has a good idea. The latest case involves a wealthy young woman who hires Britten to prove her fiance didn't commit suicide, as she believes he was murdered by the same someone who was blackmailing her father. The detectives quickly find that ever...more
A graphic novel about a detective and his unusual assistant.
PI Fernandez "Fern" Britten wants to help people by telling the truth--but just once he would like the truth to have a positive impact on his clients. In this book, Britten and his partner Brulightly (a tea bag) investigate a suicide that may be murder.
This was definitely interesting. The illustrations were mostly monochromatic and most of the book took place in the rain. What color there was was muted and dark. The story was just as co...more
PI Fernandez "Fern" Britten wants to help people by telling the truth--but just once he would like the truth to have a positive impact on his clients. In this book, Britten and his partner Brulightly (a tea bag) investigate a suicide that may be murder.
This was definitely interesting. The illustrations were mostly monochromatic and most of the book took place in the rain. What color there was was muted and dark. The story was just as co...more
The plot of this book was fabulous, and I have zero criticism of the writing. It is insightful, and shows the side of detective stories that is rarely explored by authors in the genre: the impact the knowledge has on the lives of those who hire private investigators.
The art is a little bit shaky at times. The character design is lovely, with the exaggerated features that make them distinct. But there were times where I felt Berry was still learning how to draw a character from different angles....more
The art is a little bit shaky at times. The character design is lovely, with the exaggerated features that make them distinct. But there were times where I felt Berry was still learning how to draw a character from different angles....more
“Ten years ago I began a private investigation agency with the glorious aim of serving humanity and righting wrongs. In all those years the only wrongs righted have been on my tax returns.”
Meet private detective Fernandez Britten, although he actually prefers private “researcher”. He is hired by a young woman to look into the mysterious suicide of her fiancé. Along with his highly unconventional sidekick Brulightly, Britten begins to investigate and quickly finds himself entangled in a complex w...more
Meet private detective Fernandez Britten, although he actually prefers private “researcher”. He is hired by a young woman to look into the mysterious suicide of her fiancé. Along with his highly unconventional sidekick Brulightly, Britten begins to investigate and quickly finds himself entangled in a complex w...more
"Nowadays I don't get out of bed for less than a murder."
Fernandez Britten, "researcher", and his less-than-conventional partner, teabag Stewart Brulightly, are on the case when approached to solve a suicide-deemed-not-a-suicide by the man's fiance. What follows is true noir fiction. Hannah Berry both wrote and illustrated the graphic novel, and the artwork is truly gorgeous.
Despite Britten's pessimistic attitude (he is known as The Heartbreaker, for before this suicide, his cases only concerned...more
Fernandez Britten, "researcher", and his less-than-conventional partner, teabag Stewart Brulightly, are on the case when approached to solve a suicide-deemed-not-a-suicide by the man's fiance. What follows is true noir fiction. Hannah Berry both wrote and illustrated the graphic novel, and the artwork is truly gorgeous.
Despite Britten's pessimistic attitude (he is known as The Heartbreaker, for before this suicide, his cases only concerned...more
Britten and Brulightly took a while for me to get into- it wasn't until the 30th page or so that I found myself utterly unwilling to put it down.
Practically speaking my complaints are that the hand-lettered text can be small and hard to make out, partically owing to the dark colours and also to the large dimensions of the book; it's a4 sized, which can make handling it tricky at times. The absurd elements in this graphic novel are jarring initially, but as you progess through the story they mel...more
Practically speaking my complaints are that the hand-lettered text can be small and hard to make out, partically owing to the dark colours and also to the large dimensions of the book; it's a4 sized, which can make handling it tricky at times. The absurd elements in this graphic novel are jarring initially, but as you progess through the story they mel...more
By the bottom of page 1, I was kind of in love with Fernández Britten. By the middle of Page 4 (Marvin whiting out the magazines!), I was kind of in love with Hannah Berry and knew I would gladly follow wherever this book would lead. This is an amazing book, combining gorgeous artwork with the sort of gritty noir plot I've always loved, with just enough twists to keep me guessing, but always clear enough that I never felt completely lost. Britten himself is simply a weary, jaded delight, and des...more
Fortunately, the concept of the tea bag as partner/confidante is not as prominent or intrusive as the title of this graphic novel would imply. Nor is it as annoying a piece of artifice as might have been feared. Basically, it serves as a sort of substitute for plain old interior monologue and mostly acts as a foil for Snappy Rapport Ops.
That aside, the illustration is excellent and Ms. Berry has a keen feel for dramatic mise-en-scene. The plot progression and revelations are a bit on the clunky...more
That aside, the illustration is excellent and Ms. Berry has a keen feel for dramatic mise-en-scene. The plot progression and revelations are a bit on the clunky...more
What a disappointment! The redoubtable Sarah Weinberg, on her marvelous crime fiction blog, raved about this new graphic novel, and her word's usually enough for me. But I don't get the appeal of this book. (It's about a private eye whose partner is a lecherous teabag--to my mind, the mixture of noir and whimsy's been done much better in Malcolm Pryce's Aberystwyth books.) Although some of the illustrations are striking in a lugubrious sort of way, the use of hard-boiled conventions is perfuncto...more
I was very impressed by this book. The art is beautiful, the story is original without breaking from the conventions of the noir story, and the characters are...interesting to say the least. What impressed me most, though, was the way Berry was able to devise new methods of conveying interruptions, mumbling, changes in perspective and the like in her panels. There are a great many more original stories that have yet to be told in the graphic novel form, but breaking new great as far as the art g...more
Love the illustration - although I'd love to see what Berry will do with a broader color palette, even though the minimalist color palette fit the tone of this piece extremely well. Noir investigation with a touch of a sense of humor. Narrative voiced in cursive sounds like a gumshoe - speech bubbles for the rest of the characters. Love the tone of the narrator - cleverly depressed.
"Given though I am to the occasional notion of counter-survival, I didn't enjoy the idea of a stranger assuming the...more
"Given though I am to the occasional notion of counter-survival, I didn't enjoy the idea of a stranger assuming the...more
Imagine a slightly unhinged and downbeat Hercule Poirot winding up in a Hammett plot set in a wet and mundane England. If that sounds good then you'll probably enjoy this slightly old-fashioned feeling noir.
Not sure the device of the talking teabag adds much. It helps with exposition a bit, but feels like an early idea that was neither fully explored nor excised.
This is very atmospheric and enjoyable, and beautiful to boot. Not entirely successful and the plot felt more complex than it actually...more
Not sure the device of the talking teabag adds much. It helps with exposition a bit, but feels like an early idea that was neither fully explored nor excised.
This is very atmospheric and enjoyable, and beautiful to boot. Not entirely successful and the plot felt more complex than it actually...more
This is a gorgeous noir that steals all the best things from The Big Sleep and adds quirks, recurring jokes and a tragic ending. I'll let you discover the sidekick for yourself, but he's unconventional and endearing. The illustrations feel like watercolor; the ink-strokes stand out as if cut out in collage. Sometimes the cursive-text is hard to read, but I think this makes the reader slow down and appreciate the beauty of the art when the plot overcomes the imagination. I think this'll be one of...more
Oct 06, 2010
Sweetman Sweetman
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
noir, graphic novel lovers, crime/detective fans
Recommended to Sweetman by:
library find
I love graphic novels-especially detective/1950's feel/well-rendered graphic novels. I fall into them when I'm in between books and need to clear my head. Britten and Brulightly scored on all three of my criteria. It's weakest feature was the story--a bit mashed in and confusing in the end and suddenly it's over--literally over. Despite the dark themes, because it's a nearly a comic book (forgiveness here, I don't mean this disparagingly, I mean it in the highest regard for I love comics) it doe...more
Read this on the bus on the way home from work on Thursday. Despite its oversized-ness, the story was compelling enough to keep me fighting the seat back in front of me to turn the pages!
I think that at times, the development of the story and characters suffered from the fast plotting, but overall, a well-constructed mystery with some great twists. And the best private eye sidekick of all time.
I imagine that had Fernando Pessoa lived long enough to write a comic, it might have been like this one...more
I think that at times, the development of the story and characters suffered from the fast plotting, but overall, a well-constructed mystery with some great twists. And the best private eye sidekick of all time.
I imagine that had Fernando Pessoa lived long enough to write a comic, it might have been like this one...more
This was the first graphic novel I've ever read. What a treat! As soon as I saw the cover and read a synopsis of the story, I knew it would be special. Was it ever!
Britten is a private detective in 1940s London and is called upon to prove that a suicide was, in fact, murder. The plot twists and turns, as any good noir does, and we make our way--savoring the drawings as we go--to the resolution.
And Brulightly? Well, Brulightly is Britten's partner...and I wouldn't dream of telling you another thi...more
Britten is a private detective in 1940s London and is called upon to prove that a suicide was, in fact, murder. The plot twists and turns, as any good noir does, and we make our way--savoring the drawings as we go--to the resolution.
And Brulightly? Well, Brulightly is Britten's partner...and I wouldn't dream of telling you another thi...more
Beautifully, atmospherically drawn. From the first pages, I felt like I had gone to another, sadder, more mysterious world. The rain drops, the roof tops, the sepia tones. It didn't feel like mid-20th-century England, which I think must have been the real setting, but more like Eastern Europe or South America of the same time.
The story is not altogether unique, especially to those familiar with the mystery and noir genres, but it was thoughtfully done.
I very much liked the tea bag.
The story is not altogether unique, especially to those familiar with the mystery and noir genres, but it was thoughtfully done.
I very much liked the tea bag.
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“Given though I am to the occasional notion of counter-survival, I didn't enjoy the idea of a stranger assuming the role of my executioner.
It was presumptuous, and I resented it.”
—
1 person liked it
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It was presumptuous, and I resented it.”

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Sep 07, 2009 10:01am
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