Idéal Standard

by Aude Picault

Claire, trentenaire, infirmière en néonatalogie, voit défiler ses relations amoureuses et désespère de construire un couple – le vrai, le bon, l'idéal. En choisissant de vivre avec Franck, elle croit enfin y être arrivée. Mais la réalité standardisée de ce qui l'attend n'est pas à la hauteur...
Aude Picault aborde avec grâce et humour des thèmes essentiels aux femmes d'aujourd'hui : le couple, le désir, la recherche de soi, la jouissance, etc. Remarquable !

Genres: Bande Dessinée, Graphic Novels, Comics, Feminism, Fiction, France, Graphic Novels Comics

152 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 6, 2017

About the author

Aude Picault is a French cartoonist and picture books author.
Picault was born in 1979. She graduated from the 'École nationale supérieure des arts décoratifs', a renowned art university in Paris, in 2005.
Picault started her comics career when in university with the slice-of-life Moi Je (2004). From 2006 to 2009 she collaborated as a cartoonist with the weekly French magazine Voici, while also working as a children's books writer and illustrator. During the same period, she was part of the web-comics collective Chicou-Chicou.
Among her graphic novels are Papa (2006), Les Mélo Maniaks (2008), Transat (2009), the erotic Comtesse (2010), the travel comic diary Parenthèse Patagone (2015), Idéal Standard (2017) and Amalia (2022).

Reviews

[Shai · Rating 4 out of 5]

Limited Edition tackles some real-life issues that women were experiencing, such as still being single in their 30s, pregnancy, and being in a relationship. I'm quite sure that women will appreciate the tale of Claire in this graphic novel, and they will be able to relate to some of the topics addressed in the story.

[Chad · Rating 2 out of 5]

Details the life of a thirty-something neonatal nurse as she looks for love. This one is obviously written for women. A large portion of the book is women complaining about men. At first it was kind of humorous but then it starts to weigh on you. I know we aren't perfect, but we do try and we are not all the same. But most of all, I just found this book to be very boring. It's just everyday life. I don't need to read about that, I live it every day.

[Anya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Soooo I headed over to NetGalley on a whim today and found this little comic about a thirty-something neonatal nurse, Claire who's trundling along her life looking for a love that would last long.



I honestly felt bad for her; Claire was surrounded by friends and colleagues who are starting new chapters in their lives and she feels left behind and lonely. The story is simple enough and realistic but the art is GORGEOUS. I loved how despite looking like a fluffy comic, Limited Edition grappled with serious issues like misogyny, expectations in relationships, independence, societal standards etc.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

J'ai adoré. Ces planches démontre de façon simple et très claire tout les stéréotypes de genre actuels. Charge mentale, hypersexualisation de la femme, banalisation de leurs désirs : tout y passe à travers l'histoire, malheuresement bien banale, de sa protagoniste principale. À lire.

[Amy Layton · Rating 4 out of 5]

"We can't have a baby if I want."  

And thus is the crux of Claire's problems with her relationship.  She begins by being desperately single, wanting nothing more than to consummate the relationship, marriage, and family of her dreams.  She understands it'll take work, but she has no problem cooking and having sex and living with somebody else.  Until she does cook and have sex and lives with somebody else--Franck, that is, who is a veritable manchild. 

He views her not as somebody who knocked him off his feet, but as somebody he's content with.  He doesn't mind the cooking or the sex or the cleaning.  So it's perfect for him.  But for Claire?  Not so much.  The shelf she always bumps her arm into never gets fixed.  She never orgasms.  And she's always the one hosting and cleaning and trying to make the relationship work.  She loves Franck, sure, but at what cost?

When she accidentally gets pregnant, it should be a happy time.  The time to have a serious conversation and perhaps even move her relationship forward to something more serious than just living together.  But when he says she can keep it "if she wants", that's when things noticeably turn sour--and for a good cause.  Everything so far has been "if she wants", and nothing has been about them.  So Claire realizes what the audience has known for a long time: Franck isn't worth shit.  She's cute, funny, and has a job that is both stressful and hugely rewarding.  And what does Franck offer her?  Little to nothing.  Claire, like all women, deserve somebody who is truly worth their salt.  

Illustrated with minimal colors and an adorable cartoon style, Idéal Standard, similar to Josephine (though in a much more serious tone), suggests that what many women want is truly worth waiting for.  It doesn't matter the family pressure or friend pressure or personal pressure--wait for the right time and the right person.  Even if you don't want to.  It suggests that by yourself, you are confident and strong and funny and beautiful, and you don't need somebody by your side to make you feel that way.  

Idéal Standard is a testament to the female reality of growing older--and growing up.

Review cross-listed here!

[Sara Dahaabović · Rating 3 out of 5]

Following Claire, a thirty-year-old neonatal nurse, trying to find the man of her dreams was fun, I hope this has a sequel I'm interested to know what happens next.

[♥ Sandi ❣ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 stars
Thanks to NetGalley and Europe Comics for a copy of this graphic novel. Published March 21, 2018 in English.

Mid-life and no relationship! Crisis ?!?!

That is the premise of this newly translated French graphic novel. Holding true to Fench culture, this graphic novel is graphic. It spends as much time in the bedroom as out of it. We follow a 30-something nurse as she navigates one relationship after another, until she finds the right one. But...is it the right one?

[Gabriel Infierno · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange of a honest review.

I loved the book, it absolutely perfect the way that it talks about social issues at the same time that tells a story, the end it's perfect I have say it, this is just a solid wonderful and beautiful book, I really recommend it for everyone. Masterpiece.

[Mehsi · Rating 3 out of 5]

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

So this isn't going to be a very nice review at times. I just need to rant a bit.

This book began good, I would have given it a 4 stars at the beginning. The middle was 3 stars, but with the ending and how I felt overall after reading the whole book... 2.5 stars.

This mostly had to do with how I just got tired of all the bitching about men and how terrible they were/are. And then probably calls it feminism. :|

What I liked:
*The art, it was pretty cute and sweet! Plus I liked that the author/artist used limited colours (you just have pink/blue/yellow).
-The MC's job. I have read tons of books, but I don't think I have read one where someone has a job working with preemies.
-Some of those preemie part just brought tears to my eyes. That one scene were the tiny little baby touched her dad's hand just had me in tears.
-That the author/artist didn't shy away from sex scenes (yep, we got quite a few of those).
-I could understand Claire (well... minus the man hating parts) and her quest to find someone perfect for her. I also had my share of bad experiences with men and at times I also wondered if I would ever find someone to spend my life with. I was definitely rooting for her.
-Her dreams about her future kid and future husband. It was just so lovely and I like that it was added to the story.

What I didn't like:
*I did think Jo was a bit overkill on her hubby when they had that baby (those 3/4 pages). The guy is doing his effing best, but all you do is bitch bitch and bitch. Oh no, he forgot things, oh no he bought the wrong things. Heaven, woman, we all make mistakes no need to burn someone to the ground. Be happy he tries! Good grief woman. Plus I am sure the guy is working (given that guys generally don't get a lot of parental leave), do you want him to stop working and do everything, thus meaning that you get less money? I am sure you will bitch about that then. Girl, please. Plus she kept being dismissive about him throughout the book. :|
*Also, if you can't get an orgasm and then just expect boys just have to magically know what they should do or that you have problem? I am sorry, ever heard of opening that mouth of yours and talk to him? I get so unhappy that woman are all boohooing about guys this and that, while never ever really talking to guy in question for about 2 or 3 years of a relationship. *sighs* And sure, eventually she did talk, but it took motivation from someone else to do so (yes, we finally had a woman who understood that men are not (unlike apparent popular opinion) mind readers).
*If your hubby just got home from work, and just wants to sit down for a bit, LET HIM. Instead of constantly getting on his case every time he got home for a busy day of work. Just let him sit for a bit, eat some dinner, and then talk about stuff (and no shouting or cursing or grunting or whatever, just normal talking).
*The abortion. Don't get me wrong, but I just didn't like that part at all. You have wanted a baby for YEARS, you are getting less and less fertile as you are already over 30. You are even dreaming about it throughout the book. But when you get pregnant (because of a mistake on both sides...) and this is quoted from the book: "I really want to have a baby, but not with Franck." Girl, please.
*All the complaining about men throughout the book, I just got so tired about it. Sure, you had some shitty experiences, and yes, sometimes men can be a bit eh, but I am sure we women also make them crazy at times. But oh no, it is all the fault of the men, obviously. *rolls her eyes*
*The part with the store and them buying clothes. Really, is it that OFFENDING when someone asks you girl or boy or tells that something is for girls? Geez Louis, people. Just buy whatever you want, do you need to make rude remarks to someone just doing her job? :|

Sometimes I don't get my own gender (aka women).

The handwriting was a really nice touch to the book, made it more personal, but it was hard to read at times. :(

So yeah, a decent book, but it could be better without all the menbashing.

Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/

[Adi Rocks Socks · Rating 3 out of 5]

”I can’t live like a halfway open cabinet.”

3.5 very real stars.

Limited Edition (French: Idéal Standard) read like an indie movie, and paid homage to the belief that art mirrors life — the story was real, extremely so, and Aude Picault did a really good job of portraying that restless feeling that 30+ women tend to feel, when trapped by a heteronormative society that imposes restrictions on their happiness. In short, I liked it, I really did.

The novel centers on Claire, a neonatal nurse living in France. She’s in her early thirties, and because of societal conditioning, begins to feel her biological clock ticking. She desperately wants to settle down and have children with “the one”, her problem being that she doesn’t have such a person like “the one”. She meets a man named Franck, and despite not being attracted to him in the least, attempts to build a life with him for one simple reason: he seems persistent, and she just wants someone.

Limited Edition chronicles her life with Franck, and depicts how they try to make it work. (Or do they?) It’s not a romance, it’s not a fairytale — it’s simply about one woman, and her struggles with everyday life, as she tries to decide whether settling down is worth it, especially when it’s not with “the one”. (Because really, this perfect man that she often daydreams about is literally a citizen of utopia — no such man exists.)

And if there is no such “the one”, and Franck is the only option she has, having invested time and effort into this relationship, will she still be happy? That’s the question that Claire tries to answer in the pages of Limited Edition, which sees her grow from her early thirties to her mid thirties.

The art was the typical fare, and more than the artistic skill, I enjoyed the book for Picault’s blasé way of portraying life. I really enjoyed how thought-provoking this book was, and I kinda hope I’ll see more of Claire around!

Note: I was provided a copy of the translated work by NetGalley for an honest review!

TW: Abortion

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Com un llibre et pot abraçar tant fort.

[littleprettybooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

17/20

Aude Picault raconte avec réalisme et humour la vie d’une trentenaire, sa recherche incessante de LA relation amoureuse et ses petits tracas quotidiens. Un air de féminisme en ressort et c’est définitivement une belle réussite !

Ma chronique : https://myprettybooks.wordpress.com/2...

[Laurelas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Une très chouette BD, très grinçante, dans laquelle se reconnaîtront beaucoup de femmes, surtout trentenaires, surtout celles qui cherchent l'amour (et ne le trouvent pas). J'ai trouvé ça assez juste, mais aussi un peu triste (le personnage de Franck m'a beaucoup énervé) et j'ai beaucoup aimé les accents féministes distillés tout le long.

À lire, et peut-être surtout à faire lire aux hommes...

[Marta Cava]

En ple auge de les tradwifes i dels casaments més dignes dels anys 70, m'ha encantat llegir aquest còmic sobre una dona que vol tenir parella però a la vegada no vol quedar-se amb el primer que passa perquè és el que toca 💛

[Doyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

drame banal de l'hétérosexualité, carcan social par excellence du patriarcat, illustré et écrit avec finesse ici.

[Andreea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was sent a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This was such a cute short graphic novel talking about the pressure and expectations set for women by society, family, the norm or themselves, done with humour, but in a realistic way.

The book is not condescending nor is it trying to change something or offer solutions, it simply follows a 30-something y/o nurse for babies born prematurely. She is single and she is looking for someone to possibly start a family with. At least that's what she should want, right? Or maybe she really does, but when you are 30, there's even a bigger pressure to get a husband and a baby.

Claire is also a bit of a hopeless romantic, but willing to settle for less because... that's what you are supposed to do, right? She goes from date to date, bed to bed, until she finally gets into a stable relationship. She finally joins normal society, right? Claire finally got what she was supposed to get - just a boyfriend for now, yet things do not change or get easier. But is this really what she wants? Is this how it's supposed to feel? At one point, Claire asks herself what if this is her only shot?

I think this book was a great and simple way to talk about these ideas of gender role, society expectations of women, relationships and independence. And at it's core, I think this book is about if what we think we need or should do or have to be happy is what makes us happy indeed.

Oh, and the art is adorable and so great for the story. It is simple, yet fits the mood and atmosphere perfectly. The use of color was great to separate different parts of Claire's life. I also loved the other characters like Claire's friends and her mum and how different they were as persons and as ideas.

[Elessar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chronique complète sur le blog
Sous son pitch qui peut sembler assez classique, voir culcul dans le genre comédie romantique basique, se cache en réalité une œuvre magnifique et bouleversante qui remet en cause avec brio le standard du couple hétéronormé avec gamin.
[...] Idéal standard est vraiment une BD coup de poing qui sous ses airs gentillet cache une petite pépite au propos travaillé qui recèle de beaux moments de réflexions, d’émotions mais qui se montre aussi parfois extrêmement violente dans certaines situations.

[Dustyloup · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5* relecture août 2022 (original review in English below)
Une relecture change mon perspective sur le livre. Je l'ai lu comme une critique dès le début. Et j'ai pu focaliser sur des détails comme le code couleur (les moments où Claire porte des vêtements rose ou jaune par exemple. Les autres femmes qui sont habillés en jaune ou rose... Évidemment tous les hommes en jaune. Donc l'idéal standard...)

May 2020
Interesting that this graphic novel is called "ideal standard" in French and "limited edition" in English. The English title makes me think of the limited biological clock for women and trying to find that special someone but there's a limited number... The French one makes me think of the need, especially when you're on the dating market, to fit the standard image of a woman or man... And also makes me think of toilets and those boring household items (ideal standard as a brand of bathroom fixtures) that are the center of many couples' disagreements (household chores).
Her views are occasionally called into question and I hope the careful reader will not think that everything that Claire does and thinks is validating that view point. It's one way to view the world, flawed, like everyone's. It's interesting to see the ways in which she was courageous (challenging career) and immature (inability communicate with her partner). And sure, Franck is an ass but looking closely at his facial expressions during moments (Scene where Claire undresses or where he builds the furniture and she takes foto) it seems that he has unmet needs just like her and doesn't know how to communicate them. I didn't really care for this at first and almost put it down after about 30 pages but in the end, glad I stayed on for the ride.

[Bookcrazy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inhalt:
Claire ist Kinderkrankenschwester auf einer Neonatologie-Station, Mitte 30 und Single.
Sie ist auf der Suche nach Liebe. Als sie Frank kennenlernt, glaubt sie am Ziel zu sein. Aber dieses standardisierte Ideal ist auch nicht was sie sich vorgestellt hat.


Meine Meinung:
Der Zeichenstil ist recht einfach gehalten und eher schwarz weiß gehalten. Mit gelb-rosa Einfärbung im Privatleben und hellblau im Beruf (Krankenschwesterkluft).
Besonders gut hat mir schon zu Beginn der Einstieg mit dem Daten gefallen. Über was eine Frau sich alles Gedanken macht und wie Männer reagieren. Besonders witzig fand ich eine Darstellung bei der ein Typ sich gleich mit ihr treffen wollte und der Zeichner dann ihre Hose durchsichtig darstellte und man die unrasierten Beine sah und sie entsetzt absagte.
Diese realitätsnahen und echten Alltagsproblemchen fand ich sehr gelungen.
Besonders gut wird auch die Problematik dargestellt, wenn man Mitte 30 keinen Partner hat, der Druck, wenn alle um einen herum Kinder bekommen und auch die möglichen Probleme einer Beziehung dann.
Manche Thematiken sind dann schon ein wenig schwermütig und deprimierend, vor allem zum Schluss hin, als Claire eine gravierende Entscheidung trifft bzw. mehrere, mit denen man vielleicht auch jetzt nicht immer 100%ig einverstanden sein muss. Aber ganz toll fand ich da ihre Familie.

Insgesamt hat mir der Humor besonders gut gefallen und dass das Buch zum Nachdenken anregt.
Erinnert mich vom Stil her sehr an das Graphik Novellen-Büchlein "Weiblich, dynamisch, verpeilt" von Agustina Guerrero, dass mir auch so gut gefallen hat, wobei dieses hier gegen Ende etwas ernster und trauriger wird.

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Claire is yum. She's got curves, she's got brains - and she doesn't bitch and bitch and BITCH about men like some of her girlfriends. But she's not got a fella, until she meets a potential The One, and gives it almost three years of go. There clearly is give and take in any relationship, and a lot more taking and giving if you're a fertile woman, and Claire's examples of that make for a very good book. Some people have said it's a bit man-bashing; well I see some characters are but I found the book to be successfully in tune with its narrative, and not beholden to any message, feminist, anti-men or otherwise. Partly that's down to the way the intimacy of it all - Claire slobbing out in sweat pants, Claire pulling the day-old knickers on for the morning-after cuppa, and suchlike - shows Claire as a real woman. In fact she's such a nice character I almost felt disappointed and jealous when she hooked up. But hey, I could never have her, she would never have me - but as long as we love ourselves with enough room to love others too we'll all be better off. I was better off on reading this, for it's attractively presented, and both smart and warm. A bit like Claire... Four and a half stars.

[StephenWoolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Une histoire très juste. C'est un peu comme lire la BD d'Emma sur la charge émotionnelle et l'exploitation domestique passée à la moulinette de la fiction.

On suit l'histoire d'une infirmière en soins néo-nataux qui fait hyper bien son taf et qui a pas mal de copines. Elle veut se mettre en couple, rencontre plein de mecs ("tu peux mettre un préservatif ?" "euh... oui... si tu veux" "oui, je veux bien") mais décide, après une déception sentimentale (en mode : trois mois de relation, elle sortait le champagne / il la largue), de vivre avec son célibat. Cela attise la convoitise d'un mec nul et poilu.

Son mec nul ingénieur financier qui la culpabilise à moitié quand elle lui explique gentiment comment il pourrait (essayer de) la faire jouir (comprendre : il est nul au lit) en mode "tu es clitoridienne, savais-tu que Freud disait qu'il s'agissait d'une jouissance infantile, je vais faire de toi une vaginale". Le mec qui ne doute de rien. ^^

Bref, ça fait du bien de lire ça et la fin m'a bien plu avec sa mère qui vient l'aider et lui témoigne toute son admiration.

[Laia • vidaentrellibres · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ideal estandarizado ·

Les novel·les gràfiques et traspassen no només per les il·lustracions, sinó també per allò que s'hi narra. Vaig anar a la Biblioteca a buscar aquesta per l'autora, perquè havia llegit d'ella "Amàlia" i m'havia agradat.

Aquest còmic per a adults és punyent i, alhora, molt valent. L'autora fa una crítica -d'una manera senzilla i molt clara- a molts dels estereotips de gènere actuals: la pressió social, la maternitat, la càrrega mental, la hipersexualització de les dones, la banalització dels nostres desitjos... Divertit, directe i frapant.

[Lauren loves llamas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trigger warning: abortion

This is a translation of a French graphic novel. It’s an exploration of feminism and women’s roles in today’s society – as a sex object, girlfriend, wife and mother. It trots out some of the usual gender role stereotypes – women like taking care of people! boys need to be tough! – and depicts various relationship stages – from one-night-stands, to dating, to a longer term relationship, to marriage, to raising a baby, then children, then empty nesters.



Ms. Picault doesn’t pull any punches – she shows the various stages of women’s lives with brutal honesty. Claire is optimistic and a bit naive, and at thirtysomething, her clock is ticking. We’re first introduced to Claire doing her pre-date primping, and then, after several hilarious depictions of sex, her morning-after daydreams of a new relationship. Claire’s daydreams are particularly sweet, mostly because they’re of everyday interactions that most parents would take for granted – saying good morning to a cheerful little baby, pushing a young child on a swing, going grocery shopping as a family. These daydreams – along with the depictions of her work as a NICU nurse – were my favorite parts of the story. Claire has built up this ideal of family life and motherhood, but when she visits her friend Lo after she has a baby, she finds a tired, cranky woman, surrounded by a mess, constantly harping on everything her husband isn’t doing. Claire, and the reader, however, see her husband trying to help and being constantly badgered by Lo for not doing anything right. On a visit to her boyfriend’s family, she sees parents frustrated with their children, and sniping at each other over every little thing. Even Claire’s own mother is divorced, and she readily admits that getting married was a bad decision – except, of course, that she had Claire.



Over the course of the book, which takes place over several years, Claire slowly realizes that all these roles she’s aiming for – girlfriend, wife, mother – are who she is in relation to someone else, not who she is for herself. While I do think Ms. Picault shows a not particularly rosy view of family life and is particularly harsh against men in particular, she also shows how all of this is part of Claire’s journey.

The art is lovely – line drawings with washes of color. It impressed me, several times, how much emotion and expression could be conveyed with just a few lines. I adored Claire’s curves and her big smile! On the other hand, while the script-style lettering (honestly, I think it was a font, not hand lettering) fit the mood, it was extremely hard to read at times.

As for other cons, there’s a particular bit related to the trigger warning that I thought felt almost more like someone’s idea of a feminist checklist than anything else. I understood that this particular narrative choice meant that Claire had to actually take action, rather than just continuing coasting along, but given how emotionally fraught the subject matter is, it didn’t sit well with me.

Overall, this was a visually lovely chick lit graphic novel!

I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

[Anjalee · Rating 2 out of 5]

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

A series of sunny-hued panels tell the story of Claire, a neonatal nurse on the hunt for her dream man. At 32, Claire very much feels the pressures that come with a ticking body-clock and often finds herself settling for lack-lustre relationships. Over time she learns the importance of being happy on her own terms.

Limited Edition loudly deals with feminist issues but doesn't always align with my own beliefs. Whilst I appreciated the discussion of valuing your self-worth and what constitutes as a healthy relationship, I do think it was rather man-bashing.

Aude Picault uses characters such as Franck to highlight everyday sexism towards women and how often their needs, thoughts and abilities are undermined and underestimated. That being said, the female characters attitudes towards men are not shown to be as problematic or severe, which I found troubling.

There was some other glaring issues, but the final message resonated quite strongly with me. I’m a romantic, often wishing I could hurry up and have the husband, the white picket fence, the kids and don’t often take time to be happy in the now. If Limited Edition taught me anything it’s to not always think the grass is greener on the other side and to appreciate where I am currently at in life.

Overall I have to give it a 2.5. Although I enjoyed the loose illustrations and related to Claire, the font was jarringly hard to read at times and I found some of the messages to be quite questionable.

[Charlotte Jones · Rating 2 out of 5]

This graphic novel is all about sex, motherhood and relationships. The artwork is simple and understated, with a monochrome colour palette. Almost every image is coloured in shades of yellow with odd splashes of baby pink and pale blue throughout. I had a bit of an issue with the font personally as it was almost like someone's handwriting and I found myself having to stop to decipher some words that weren't very legible to me which took me out of the story.

I also thought that the plot and themes were handled in a very heavy handed manner which made me feel very disconnected to the characters and what they were doing. Some of the choices the protagonist made were nonsensical in my opinion.

Overall, I think there are readers that would love this. However, personally, I feel that the same story could have been told in a better way; maybe the translation didn't portray the emotion well, or maybe there is some other reason, but on the whole I just felt very detached the whole way through. I love the art style and would be interested in seeing what this artist does in the future but as a story it is quite forgettable.

[Ije the Devourer of Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Claire is in her thirties and desperate to settle down and start a family. She is on the dating merry go round and doesn't seem to be able to meet a guy who wants to settle down. Meanwhile family and friends are settling down and having babies, buying homes and getting on with life. Despite her career as a nurse Claire feels left behind and left out.

And then Claire meets a man, moves in with him, and three years down the line she examines if this is what she really wants. Should she settle for less and stick with her partner? Or should she learn to appreciate who she is instead of focusing on some kind of ideal, and live her life to the fullest without compromise. Is the man she is with really the man she wants?

This is an interesting comic with good drawings. The storyline is great too and it left me wanting more.

Copy provided by Europe Comics via Netgalley in exhange for an unbiased review.

[Margaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

Très jolie bd permettant de démonter les clichés sexistes du couple en suivant une héroïne très attachante. On y suit son quotidien, son métier, ses rencontres amoureuses, son installation avec son mec, l’évolution de son couple, ses questionnements, les épreuves. C’est très bien raconté et parce ment d’éclairage sur les dynamiques du couple souvent problématique dans notre société. Ça fait totalement résonance avec le nouveau podcast de Victoire Tuaillon les cœurs sur la table (que je conseille aussi!)

[Tatiana Shorokhova · Rating 4 out of 5]

Клэр 32 года, она работает в неонатальном отделении больницы, постоянно видит малышей и хотела бы сама стать матерью, вот только с мужчинами нынче все сложно.

Од Пико простым языком и легким, почти воздушным рисунком, доносит до читателя проблемы современных женщин. Нет, мы не можем взять и перестать заморачиваться из-за этого сраного мира, требующего от нас семью-мужа-детей. Нет, мы не сложные. Нет, мы не требуем слишком многого. Но если отношения не складываются, их надо уметь бросать.

А нам говорят, низзя. Терпи. Хоть плохонький, но твой.

Как человек, чьи отношения начались в 34 года, я очень хорошо понимаю Клэр и уважаю ее решение не соглашаться на компромисс.

[Perseus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rêver d'une relation parfaite à 30 ans, c'est ce que raconte l'histoire de « Idéal Standard ». Avoir un enfant pour les 30 ans et une bonne situation, c'est ce que la société nous impose comme idéal de vie, comme le meilleur objectif à atteindre.
« Idéal standard » permet de relativiser, d'enlever ce poids sur les épaules des femmes (car ce sont à elles qu'on impose plus cette situation) et de prendre de la distance.

[paulinebouquine · Rating 5 out of 5]

[18/20] Aude Picault dépeint ici, avec une grande justesse, le poids des injonctions sociales reposant sur les épaules des femmes à l’aube de la trentaine s'agissant de la maternité, la vie de couple, la sexualité… Une lecture criante de vérité tant les situations sonnent vraies, à première vue fataliste et déprimante, qui se termine toutefois sur une note éminemment positive et pleine d'espoir !