De jeugdjaren

Jonas Fink #1

by Vittorio Giardino

A brilliantly written graphic novel about the real human experience of living behind the iron curtain from one of Italy's leading comic artists.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, History, Jewish, Graphic Novels Comics, Historical, Bande Dessinée

52 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Vittorio Giardino (Bologna, 1946) è un fumettista italiano.
Laureato in ingegneria elettronica intraprende solo in una seconda fase della sua vita la carriera di autore di fumetti e raggiunge progressivamente la maturità artistica sia per la perfetta connotazione del tratto sia per le sue capacità narrative.

Nei suoi racconti è attraversata tutta la storia europea del Novecento, la guerra civile di Spagna, il Nazismo, lo Stalinismo e la sua fine.

Il Nostro Autore, nel suo percorso artistico di maturazione, passa dal genere hard-boiled di Sam Pezzo alla spy-story con venature politiche ed intellettuali di Max Fridman, al fumetto erotico con Little Ego, fino ad arrivare al capolavoro, del quale noi lettori attendiamo il completamento, di Jonas Fink, il romanzo di formazione di un giovane ebreo praghese dal dopoguerra alla caduta del muro.

Con Jonas Fink riceve il premio Alph-Art al salone di Angoulême (1995) e l'Harvey Awards al San Diego Comic Con. (1998).

Reviews

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Μία ακόμα καλή δουλειά από τον πάντα ποιοτικό Giardino. Η σειρά Jonas Fink δημιουργήθηκε στην δύση της καριέρας του και διακρίνονται τα σημάδια κούρασης στο σχέδιο, το οποίο όμως παραμένει σε υψηλά επίπεδα ειδικά στα τοπία και τα περιβάλλοντα. Σίγουρα δεν είναι Max Fridman,Sam Pezzo ή ακόμα και C'era una volta in America αλλά ο Jonas έχει την δική του ιστορία να πει και δεν είναι καθόλου πιο ευγενική. Το κόμικ είναι οδοιπορικό που μέσα από μια τυπική, για την κατάσταση που επικρατούσε τότε, υπόθεση, σε φέρνει ενώπιος ενωπίω με την φρίκη που μένει για χρόνια μετά τον πόλεμο. Δεν έχει την ίντριγκα που βρίθει η πολυτάραχη ζωή του κυρίου Μαξ αλλά βασίζεται στον ωμό ρεαλισμό χωρίς να γίνεται γραφική και να πλατειάζει. Ξεχωριστή μνεία πρέπει να γίνει για την πιστότατη απεικόνιση της πόλης όπου στα περισσότερα μνημεία που υπάρχουν μέσα στο έργο (Γέφυρα του Καρόλου, καθεδρικός, αστρονομικό ρολόι) είναι λες και βλέπεις γκραβούρες. Γενικά έχει γίνει πολύ αξιοπρεπής σκιαγράφηση της Τσέχικης καθημερινότητας.

[StrictlySequential · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't come up with an appropriate amount of praise for Vittogio's quality across-the-board of subject matter!

He is, at least judging by what I've read so far, THE BEST CARTOONIST OF ALL TIME.

Better than those that I read no-matter-what like Will Eisner, pre-2000 Los Bros, 70's-80s Dave Sim, Eddie Campbell, I won't go on- you get the idea- while Alan Moore, Neil Gaiman and the others that only play half of the game can't qualify. Yeah. I recommend him, without thought, to all of yooog no matter what you're into.

I WILL CONSUME ALL HE'S DONE

whether it's in Eng-a-lisg, eh...a-Span-ishg or even Italian (even though I only have cursory command of reading the language and none speaking or writing it).

He has lived through serious European history and recounts it expertly whether he was there or not. Then he's a stud at erotica, humor and many other genre he's commanded.

I'd pay good money just to converse with him.

[Mikael Kuoppala · Rating 3 out of 5]

A stylish, intriguing, if a bit bland story of a young Jewish boy growing up under an antisemitic and totalitarian rule of communism soon after the revolution.

"Loss of Innocence" sets up the story well and offers a captivating portrayal of post-revolution Prague. While reading it I kept feeling that the potential of the setup wasn't utilized in the most effective way though.

[DaViD´82 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tezovité, zkratkovité a jinými již lépe zpracované silné a navzdory časovému odstupu stále nosné téma (nejen) o nás/(nejen) pro nás.

[sweet pea · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book feels similar to stories of Jews leading up to WWII. but, of course, this is in the Soviet Union in the 1950s. the Finkels are harassed or stymied at every turn. discrimination, lack of information, and hatred. the art is cleaner than i'm used to (comics with realism). an interesting perspective, but i don't know i wish to continue the series.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slušná kresba, jenže bez života, sterilní linka po několika stranách začne nudit (prostě když inženýr kreslí). Ne uplně blbá práce s panely. Scénář poněkud romantický, charaktery poněkud papírové. Ale komiks od Itala o stalinské Praze stojí aspoň za zkoušku.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous artwork and a compelling story about a young Jewish boy in Prague whose father is arrested by Communist authorities. I am definitely going to have to read all the other volumes.

[Atanur]

interesting, realistic

[The Kekistani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another testimony to the evils of communism, this is a story all too real. How sad for people had to suffer this...

[Shoshanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting short comic about a Jewish boy and his family facing trials and tribulations growing up in Communist era Prague, 1950. Excited to read the rest!

[Luke Stevens · Rating 3 out of 5]

Someone else on here said it best as being "Stylish, intriguing, if a bit bland story-wise".

[Agnes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very striking depictions of the character's faces. Rich storyline but short first book of three. Compare/contrast w/The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain by Peter Sis.

[Peacegal · Rating 2 out of 5]

This graphic novel was Ok, but not terribly gripping. I doubt I will continue with the series as #1 is the only issue owned by my library.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very gorgeous imagery and a brutal story. Can't wait to read vol's 2 and 3.

[Variaciones Enrojo]

Primer tomo de Jonas Fink: La infancia.

[A. David David Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disturbingly of the moment. How quickly a society can turn on its own, finding the smallest differences to split into the widest fissures. Chilling.

[Krystl Louwagie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite good, easy to understand and follow, and still engaging.

[Rex Hurst · Rating 5 out of 5]

From what I understand this is a semi-autobiographical work by the author, who apparently grew up under the boot of Communism. This takes place in the 1950s, around the death of Stalin where there was a certain hope that communism would fade in Eastern Europe. As we know, it lingered on for another forty years. This series is a testament to the evils and corruption of this movement. One that preaches it is for working for the good of humanity, yet only ever yields death and the degradation of the human soul. The artwork of Prague is magnificent, vivid, detailed to perfection. Having visited that city, and gotten lost in it, several times I recognized the geographic details and appreciated the work even more.

The first volume sets up the life of Jonas Finkle, whose father is arrested for unspecified anti-revolutionary activities. Two years after he is sentenced, his family is informed that he has been given ten years in a state-run prison – read “concentration” - camp. Twelve-year-old Jonas, being born into a despised class – educated and middle-class – is denied the right to continue his education and is booted from entering High School. His mother is forced to sell off most of their belongings, and take menial jobs to survive, while Jonas must go to work as well to help his mother. While this might seem like the set up to the holocaust, it isn’t. It was simply the wind up of Communism in Eastern Europe and the destruction of all who had built the previous society. It successfully shows the hypocrisy of a socialism system. One which claims equality for all, but grabs everything for the new ruling class.

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm going to review the entire 3-part series all together. I wish this were published in one volume but I had the fortune of reading them all back to back pretty quickly. The three parts do stand alone nicely and provide an overall strong structure, although it seems like there should be more. I've tried to search online but can't find anything about a subsequent entry. Anyone out there know anything?

This was just really well done, laser-focussed and on point. The characters are real and convincing, the art was consistently and vibrant and evocative. The story is compelling. I'd like to learn more if there is more!

[Florin Draghici · Rating 5 out of 5]

A random encounter in a comic store in Lisbon got me buying the original Italian version as English translations are hard to find. A true gem of a comic from an artist who researched his subjects very well, from historical facts, architecture to accurate cultural references and even physical traits. I was delighted to uncover corners of Prague in a very photorealistic craftsmanship throughout the book. The story is somewhat predictable but the emotions emanate strongly from the frames. A masterpiece and love letter to a city with a troubled past.

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this, a guy in a comic store in Madrid recommended it to me. It really quickly creates the atmosphere of living in a soviet country, the abuses by the state, the anti semitism, but also with a sense of hope as well. Very engaging start to the series, will continue!

[Chiehm · Rating 3 out of 5]

三冊都看完了，很一般的故事，如果經歷過布拉格那些暗夜的人，估計會心有戚戚焉。

[Per Brastad · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fine story, well told. The illustrations are wonderful.
A sad and scaring background for the story, reminding us that our civil rights and fairness are not granted.

[Mehsi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interessant, maar is het erg dat ik meer geinvesteerd was in Jonas x Tatiana dan het historische element van het verhaal? XD Mooie art.
Geen idee of ik ooit deel 2 ga lezen als de bieb hem ooit krijgt (kleine kans gegeven hoe vaak ze deel 1s hebben maar verder nooit de rest).

[Greta G · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Jew in Communist Prague: Loss of Innocence v. 1