Open-Hearted

by Keramidas Nicolas, Edward Gauvin (Translator)

Once an animator at Disney Studios, Nicolas Keramidas now makes a living as a cartoonist in Grenoble. He’s married to a wonderful woman, Chloé, has two energetic sons, and plays soccer every Sunday with his pals. He was also born with Tetralogy of Fallot, a rare combination of four heart defects that in 1973 made him one of the youngest children ever to undergo open-heart surgery. Forty-three years later, when his congenital condition stops him short during a soccer game, he’ll have to face surgery again, a saga he details in this moving, humorous, and above all, very human memoir.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Bande Dessinée, Comics, Nonfiction, Biography Memoir, Graphic Novels Comics

Unknown Binding

Reviews

[Rosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

By far, one of the best graphic novels I've ever read!

in 1973, Nicolas Kéramidas became one of the first infants ever to have successfully undergone an open heart surgery. But about forty years later, he needs the same surgery again. This graphic novel describes his mental and physical journey through this second ordeal.

Kéramidas narrates a journey of pain with great dashes of humour. Considering the ordeal of surgery, recovery and rehabilitation, I'm really amazed at how the author was able to pen this down. It must have been a cathartic process to relive those memories. I found it impossible to keep this book aside midway. It sucks you in with its traumatic storyline. The hopeful end also sends a message to all of us not to take life for granted and to live it to the fullest whilst we can.

Kéramidas worked for Disney Studios as an animator and that shows in his illustrations. Every emotion comes out so powerfully in the panels without going over the top. The graphics are absolutely stunning in their imagery and add wonderfully to the narrative..

"Enjoy" would be an incorrect word to use for such a book, but I definitely relished living through Kéramidas' journey. I'd recommend this book to everyone.

Thank you NetGalley and Europe Comics for this ARC.


*********************
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[Bibliomaniaque · Rating 4 out of 5]

Une BD pleine de légèreté vu le sujet lourd. J'ai adoré le visuel, la façon dont l'auteur jouait avec les contradictions entre le texte et l'image, l'omniprésence du rouge et du bleu. Tout est bien vulgarisé, avec des comparaisons et des définitions accessibles.

[Bandit · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m not quite sure why graphic artists make a choice to draw ugly when they obviously have the chops not to. This one worked for Disney for nine years as an animator and yet in his personal stories the art leaves a lot to be desired. It’s cartoonish in a way I didn’t care for, especially when it comes to people.
Then again, maybe it’s just too weird to draw autobiographically, for this is a very personal story about one man’s…well, survival, essentially. The author’s sole concentration is on his one faulty body organ and its maintenance (which somehow sounds dirtier than intended), so it’s autobiographical, but it isn’t an autobiography, which gives the book a very narrow focus. Which I would imagine limit a wide audience appeal.
It’s sincere and detailed, but unless you have undergone or have extreme interest in openheart(ed) procedures, it may not be all that interesting. Though it must have been cathartic for the author to get out of his system.
So not for everyone, neither art, not the story. Might be right for memoir fans, especially memoirs of life and death variety. Though obviously not the lightest of reads, it does go by quickly.

[Mehsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.
I am quite tired + I just have a heard time finding words, so this will be a short review.
A great book about a man who was born with Tetralogy of Fallot, had an open-heart surgery. 43 years it went OK, check-ups were fine, and then things go wrong. In this wonderfully written book we see him go through the whole process from finding out the bad news, to operation, rehab, and further than that. I loved that we saw personal (emotions, feelings, all that) but also got information on his condition, on the hospital, on procedures. It was very interesting.
I loved that next to his experiences we also saw his wife's and parents.
I found it extremely weird that despite everything he just keeps smoking. WTF? Dude, just no...
The art, I quite liked it, it was a fun and nice style with quite some details. Though at times I wasn't sure if it fitted the serious and harsh reality of things. On other times it did bring some lightness to the story when it was needed.
All in all, I really liked this book, it was at times heartbreaking, other times hopefully, and all times well written. Recommended.

[Jaclyn Hillis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an honest look at the author's experience with open-heart surgery. I appreciated that he didn't shy away from using medical terminology and graphic drawings. It was raw and real, as was his experience.
The art style wasn't my favorite, but that is just my personal preference and nothing against his talent. It was definitely 70's cartoon-ish, which fits the story as his story (life) begins in the 70's!

Thank you NetGalley and Europe Comics for the free digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Nick Kozel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basically 'The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" but Disney-fied. Charming, warm, humorous, just a cozy little comic

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

I thought this was deeply moving and brilliant. The author's memoir tells us about his open heart surgery. Born with a heart murmur, the author doesn't fully realise what he went through as a small baby. He was born with Tetralogy of Fallot, a rare combination of four heart defects that in 1973 made him one of the youngest children ever to undergo open-heart surgery.

The author survives his childhood heart problems and has creative ways of explaining his scars. Life goes on. He has his wife, parents, in laws, brother and his children. Life is good until it isn't and the author realises he needs to have open heart surgery and so his journey begins.

We are told about this journey through the notes that both he and his wife kept. There are tests, hospital rooms, exercises, inactivity, and the boredom that comes with stays in hospital. Eventually after progress, setback, progress the author leaves hospital and it has been a journey!

The artwork is good, managing to convey the frustrations and the fears of the author and those around him. The cartoon drawings have a humorous aspect to them which helps tell the story in a light way even though the subject matter is traumatic and painful. This is a very meaningful graphic novel and told in such a powerful way. Well worth reading.

Copy provided by Europe Comics in exchange for an unbiased review.

[Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a wonderful graphic novel. Having a child with a heart defect makes this story hit home even harder. I love how the author handles his story: it’s full of love and humour, despite the seriousness of what he has gone through. A must read in my opinion.

(I read this in the original French but see that it has been translated into English for those who don’t speak French but who would like to read it too).

[Brown Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

interessant, le parcours autobiographique de celui qui fut le premier bébé opéré du cœur, et son opération a cœur ouvert a 45 ans.

[Mesho 👾 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received it as an ARC from Netgally , it was okay not super exciting . Will not be buying it or finishing the book. It’s a unique art style . Not my cup of tea .

[taketwolu · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting memoir about Nicolas’s rare heart defect. We see him cruising through life with ease despite his condition -- that is until his condition stops him short. As Nicolas walks us through his journey of surgery and recovery, he is able to capture feelings of anxiety, fear, and uncertainty while also providing comedic relief. I liked that this book was informational and Nicolas even took notes from his wife’s journal as well as those from doctors. I wouldn’t say this is my favourite book but it does provide insight on the experience of surgery and gives off a feeling of hope (plus the layout and illustrations were fun).

***
Thanks NetGalley and Europe Comics for my copy!

[Žaba Čita Novine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Keramidas is an amazing artist and I loved visual part of this book so much. The fact that he was a Disney Studious illustrator really shows and the art is pretty... cartoon-like. I loved it, truly, but some of these child-like drawings of adult people reeeeeeealy freaked me out!

This honest story about a heart surgery and recovering from it was touching, no denying it, but it didn't really speak to me all that much.

A big thank you to Europe Comics and NetGalley for providing me with an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

A graphic novel memoir of someone who needed what sounds like major heart surgery in his forties – having already had a slice made into him as a toddler due to a combination of four problems in his early days. The visual language, style and light-hearted readability of this are top notch (also this reads much more quickly than the page count might have you thinking) but would anyone want to keep this for a re-read? Not likely, unless you know the creator, and/or a couple dozen people who might have the exact same circumstances.

[Aritra Dasgupta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting.
I guess this is what my grandma or my dad went through during their hospital stays. The art is beautiful, very disney, contrasting well with the depressing writing. I liked it. It's very detailed about the surgery and I appreciated that a lot. Also loved the family emotions dekhano. But otherwise, it's just fine honestly. A little boring in places but good.

[Gabrielle Blin ( book reviewer) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magnifique, drôle et touchant

[Amy Walker - Trans-Scribe Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Illness is one of the worst things you might have to face in your life. I'm not talking about getting sick with the flu or something like that, but getting ill with something that doesn't just go away with simple rest and medication; something that can change your life. I live with an incurable condition (currently, here's hoping the future changes that) and know what it's like to suddenly feel like your body has turned against you, and to live your life in a suddenly different state. As such, I was immediately drawn to Nick Kéramidas' graphic novel, 'Open-Hearted', which chronicles his experiences with open-heart surgery.

The book begins with Nick telling the audience about how he was born with Tetralogy of Fallot, a rare heart condition that meant that he had to undergo surgery as a baby, one of the youngest people to ever do so. Despite this, he had a fairly happy childhood growing up, and even made up stories about how he got his scars to impress his friends. It was something that never really bothered him because it was from a time where he didn't remember things, it was a vague concept of something that happened to him a long time ago, so it never really changed who he was.

Cut to forty three years later, Nick has a good career as a comic book artist and animator, having worked on Disney's Hunchback of Notre Dame. He's got loving wife, and two sons he adores. His life is good. But one day whilst playing football with his friends he gets a strange feeling in his chest. His heart doesn't feel right. Ignoring it and trying to carry on as usual, it gets worse, until he finally goes to see his doctor. When they discover that Nick has a serious condition it sets him on the road to open-heart surgery, months of recovery, and a change in his life that would go on for years as he goes in and out of hospital.

One of the things that makes Open-Hearted easy to read is how lighthearted Nick makes everything feel. It never feels like a detached narrator, leading us through this distressing and traumatic ordeal, or someone who's come out the other side yet still feels a ton of sadness and despair at recounting his tale. Instead, Nick manages to make the story feel strangely fun at times, giving events a certain degree of humour and whimsy I'm sure were needed at the time in order to get through it.

There are a lot of memoirs out in the world, and many of them cover uncomfortable experiences. Some of those books seem to always be in the shadow of their content, unable to escape the negative emotions that come with living through an ordeal such as this, but that never feels this way here. I think part of that is down to the art too. It's easy to see why Nick worked for Disney just from flicking through the book. It doesn't have a hyper real feel to it, instead embracing a very animated and child-friendly style. His characters feel like they've stepped out of a Saturday morning cartoon, they make you feel comfortable and at ease, yet are able to express the whole gamut of emotions that Nick would have been through.

I'm not sure I'd say this was a 'fun' book to read, as the subject matter isn't exactly light reading material, but it was an enjoyable experience. It showed me some of the things that people who're going through medical procedures face, how it can greatly change their lives, which was something I didn't know everything about before. But most of all, the book had a lot of hope inside it. It showed that even when things seem their darkest, when we're going through the worst, that they can get better and that you should never give up hoping for something wonderful to come.

[Sara Milioni di Particelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received this book thanks to Netgalley and the publisher in exchange of honest reivew*

The story is an autobiography of the author himself, made up of drawings and illustrations that show his life and his syndrome. He was also born with Tetralogy of Fallot, a rare combination of four heart defects that in 1973 made him one of the youngest children ever to undergo open-heart surgery.
He has this heart problem and although he initially passes it off as a thing to brag about to his friends, the fact that he has that big scar on his chest is a strong and brave man.
The illustrations didn't totally freak me out, I have to be honest. Too dull and dull, gloomy and they didn't hit me as I wanted.
Despite this, I find this autobriography bold, strong and at times even funny. Like when he is in the military for example.
It wasn't the story that made me mad because I found a way to tell his life in a sweet and simple way as well as ironic. I was not driven mad by the drawings that instead of easing the situation drastically worsen it by making everything too closed, too bleak and too oppressive.
For the vote I left a 4 for the story which is really incredible and I really appreciate graphic novels as autobiographies because they are absolutely powerful and transmissive, even more than a written book. The illustrations did not convince me.

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Open-Hearted was a memorable and brilliant graphic novel. I have only praise for this very personal memoir written and illustrated by Nicolas Keramidas, who has undergone two open-heart surgeries for a rare congenital heart condition.

With the subject matter being something as serious and traumatic as open-heart surgery, he managed to add in comic relief and references to every day activities to gain some sense of relatability for readers regarding that dehumanizing feeling one goes through during a medical procedure or hospital stay. The story naturally flowed and covered much of the good, the bad, and the ugly of undergoing major surgery.

I loved the inclusion of his own and his wife’s journals along with the medical terminology from the surgeon’s OR notes and how the author explained everything both visually and in more general terms for those unfamiliar with cryptic medical jargon.

There’s a lot of to love about this graphic novel. I just want to say thank you for sharing your journey. As someone about to have minor surgery in a few days, I feel both anxious and comforted at the same time by this story. I will be thinking about this book and looking forward to the future with hopes to one day share my story.

[Caroline Barrett · Rating 3 out of 5]

First off, my massive disclaimer is that I dont usually read graphic novels (this is one of a handful I have read in my life).

This book takes you on the autobiographical story of Nicolas Keramidas who was born in 1973 with 4 heart defects, resulting in him being one of the first babies to undergo open heart surgery. The reader is gently taken through the life of the young Nicolas and how he managed his condition through childhood until, age 43, when he becomes unwell whilst playing football with his kids. His world is quickly turned on its head as he has to undergo further heart surgery.

I enjoyed reading this for the main reason that it was easy to understand how the act of putting together such a book might have aided the authors recovery and given him a focus through his long rehabilitation. That said, I can't imagine I would want to reread this book, or really consider purchasing it as a gift for anyone.

I found I skimmed the sections where medical reports were written verbatim, as the detail went over my head, as I'm sure they would for most people without first hand knowledge of cardiology. When the little heart started speaking, I mentally switched off and skimmed ahead.

I'm glad I read this, and did enjoy it, but not really sure who it might appeal to.

[Ana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an e-ARC from the author/publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Open-Hearted is not the kind of graphic novel I usually gravitate towards, so I went in with very few expectations. I should probably more accurately describe it as a graphic memoir.
It follows the story of the author from birth, when he was born with tetralogy of fallout (four separate heart defects occurring simultaneously), to his mid-forties, when his heart started to fail him again. It was at once a personal reflection on life, and a primer on his particular heart conditions. I think that the choice to use art was a wonderful choice, and I suspect quite cathartic for the author himself.
As someone who was born with congenital abnormalities (cleft lip/palate) myself, I found myself being able to relate to a lot of the emotions and hospital-humour. It was refreshing to be reminded that other people have experiences similar to my own.
While the art style is not to my personal taste, it is still expertly wrought, and the colouration is superb. I particularly commend the artist for the hospital corridor scenes being that sterile, depressing, bluish sort of tone. Even that made me laugh, because it so accurately conveys the feeling of being in a hospital.

Overall, a moving memoir, in an unusual, but effective medium.

[Manfred Moonlight Ackermann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eh bien l'auteur fourni ici sa première BD en tant qu'auteur complet. 200 pages. Rien que ça. Et voilà le sujet !! (cf résumé ci-dessous).
Pas vraiment le truc léger et déconnant. Non ici, on est en immersion totale et documentée d'un problème qui peut arriver à certains, une hospitalisation, et plus particulièrement pour quelque chose d'assez lourd: une opération à cœur ouvert, pas la plus simple donc.

Ça se dévore. On est en empathie totale. Et c'est miraculeux de pouvoir faire une BD si détaillée et complète.

La problématique ? Ça peut faire un peu flipper. Si si. En reposant le livre je me demandais si je n'avais pas un truc qui couvait. Tu te lèves, tu sens un micro douleur et tu te dis qu'au final c'est ptete le début de quelque chose et que tu vas passer par ces étapes toi aussi.

En tous cas c'est un bon page-turner, on le dévore, on l'admire (j'adore le dessin). Il y a de l'énergie, un talent de narration aussi. Bref c'est de la belle œuvre !!

[StrictlySequential · Rating 4 out of 5]

175×230 ¦ A.I. 12/2020 ¦ D.L. 01/2021 ¦ prix DU09 = eo
→cover: selective varnish

Narrative: ****
Keeping the reader interested in such things, without them wincing-away, is done quite professionally- especially staying on timeframe, no confusing with writing-devisery, which I appreciated.

Visual: ***
Despite the flat 3*s, I did understand that he had to "cartoon" so many things for the first time, like anatomy and everything hospital, in an approachable goofy fashion that could be tolerated for so many pages.

Looking at his previous tomes listed in the back, after the longest and most interesting [two][page] dedication I've yet seen, shows that he had to swap from mostly young Soleil-females (publisher) to himself in his forties!

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A graphic novel/memoir documenting a man's experience with heart surgery. The author is a graphic artist & had kept a journal of his journey from the pre surgery to the recovery phase. He accurately captures the fears, pains, people, time frame, thoughts, physical & mental aspects. Anyone having had surgery themselves, or accompanied someone going thru a heart surgery will find something to relate to, & sympathize/empathize with, here! His artwork is very telling too!
I received this ebook from Europe Comics via NetGalley, in return for reading it & offering my own fair & honest review.

[Mutated Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful true story of one man's journey through his second heart surgery, wrapped up in a little ball with a ton of cute art and silly little things along the way. Something I've never really known anything about, I was intrigued to find this book, and couldn't wait to start it. After all, it's unlike anything I've read before. What I should have expected was how emotional it was, and it really taught me how hard it is on not only the person getting the surgery, but also on their friends and family. I'm really glad I got to check it out.

Check out my full review here!

https://radioactivebookreviews.wordpr...

[Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this eArc!

I am usually not one for realistic/memoir type books but while reading the description of this story it intrigued me!
I love graphic novels so that is one reason I picked this up. I enjoyed the look of the graphics/drawings. They were fun and fit the story well.
My favorite part of this book is that while it was about a serious subject the author was able to make it funny and not a hard read!
If you like non-fiction books and graphic novels this is definitely one you should pick up!

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Open-Hearted is a detailed account of one man’s struggle through his open-heart surgery and recovery. There is a lot of medical jargon to read through, but it adds to the reality that he was living. Thankfully my mother is a nurse so I grew up fascinated by health things and I have a good medical knowledge base that helped as I was reading.

Recommended for: graphic memoir readers

Content warning: animated surgical scenes & nudity

I received a digital ARC of this from NetGalley in exchange an honest review.

[Ashley Hart · Rating 4 out of 5]

It feels strange to review such a deeply personal book. But this was someone being completely transparent in their feelings and it was done with such a sense of humor and reflection. You understood exactly how he felt and often would be equally lost when he started describing the medical procedures he underwent. The way he presented his wife was with admiration and awe. While he was undergoing recovery, she was going through her own pain. It was hauntingly beautiful. It was therapeutic to read. The art work captured the mood and intensity of every scene and you giggled at the funny moments.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Bill Coffin · Rating 3 out of 5]

An open and honest account of a man's medical journey through open-heart surgery and the long recovery to follow. The narrator weaves a compelling story and you really root for him. But you do kind of want to yell at the page when you see him eating a giant steak before his operation and continuing to smoke after. Still, we are all way better off that Keramidas was able to tell his story at all, and that he did share it. Well done, Nicolas.

[Andreea · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received this book for free in exchange of my honest opinion.

This is a graphic novel memoir, but no matter how much I wanted to empathize with our main characters, the way it is writing just didn't make me feel anything. And when you think about it it's a rollercoaster kind of story, not easy to hear.

Unfortunately I did not care for the characters - which makes me feel like a cold human when I think that this a memoir - or the story or the art!

[G. Salter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keramidas uses his particular drawing style (which given his background as a Disney animator is not unlike something from a 1970s Mickey Mouse cartoon) to tell a story with lots of humor and also lots of pain. These elements actually balance rather well, producing something very entertaining and moving.