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Bérézina #1
Berezina Book 1/3
1812. After the sort of lightning-fast attack he is known for, Napoleon and his colossal Grande Armee have ridden deep into the heart of Russia. But the Russians have no intention of letting him have his way, and several bloody and inconclusive battles have already taken place – no Austerlitz there. So, when the French finally arrive in Moscow, they're exhausted, starving, weakened, and fervently hoping they'll get a chance to rest … and maybe even accept the Czar's surrender after the fall of his capital …
- GenresComicsGraphic Novels
64 pages, Paperback
First published March 18, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
September 23, 2018
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The Fire is book one of the Berezina series which, as a whole, chronicles Napoleon’s failed invasion of Russia. It delves into the scorched earth tactics employed by the Russians during their retreat and there is a quick glimpse of the Battle of Borodino, but the bulk of the narrative takes place in the largely evacuated city of Moscow.
The destruction of the city it the heart of the book, but Richaud’s cast is also worth mentioning. As individuals, the characters are engaging and I liked how the author’s decision to showcase the experiences of both occupiers and refugees gave depth to the story.
Readers should approach these books with the understanding that the three installments are not written as standalones. The trilogy follows The Battle series and while I don’t feel it necessary to have read the earlier books, I admit I am curious to see how the two collectively link the larger story of Napoleon’s campaigns.
The Fire is book one of the Berezina series which, as a whole, chronicles Napoleon’s failed invasion of Russia. It delves into the scorched earth tactics employed by the Russians during their retreat and there is a quick glimpse of the Battle of Borodino, but the bulk of the narrative takes place in the largely evacuated city of Moscow.
The destruction of the city it the heart of the book, but Richaud’s cast is also worth mentioning. As individuals, the characters are engaging and I liked how the author’s decision to showcase the experiences of both occupiers and refugees gave depth to the story.
Readers should approach these books with the understanding that the three installments are not written as standalones. The trilogy follows The Battle series and while I don’t feel it necessary to have read the earlier books, I admit I am curious to see how the two collectively link the larger story of Napoleon’s campaigns.
December 8, 2018
'Berezina, Vol. 1: The Fire' by Frederic Richaud with art by Ivan Gil is a historical fiction graphic novel about Napoleon in Moscow.
In 1812, Napoleon decided to try to invade Russia. Three months in to the campaign is where our story starts. The troops haven't met much resistance because the Russians have been fleeing and destroying crops along the way. This means by the time Napoleon's army gets to Moscow, they are tired and starving. What they find in Moscow is an empty city, but it's not really. It's really a carefully laid trap by an enemy willing to sacrifice their own city to defeat Napoleon.
This was a boondoggle of a campaign with an opponent who used their vast land to exhaust troops. I liked this story of what happened in Moscow. The writing is good as well as the art.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Europe Comics and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
In 1812, Napoleon decided to try to invade Russia. Three months in to the campaign is where our story starts. The troops haven't met much resistance because the Russians have been fleeing and destroying crops along the way. This means by the time Napoleon's army gets to Moscow, they are tired and starving. What they find in Moscow is an empty city, but it's not really. It's really a carefully laid trap by an enemy willing to sacrifice their own city to defeat Napoleon.
This was a boondoggle of a campaign with an opponent who used their vast land to exhaust troops. I liked this story of what happened in Moscow. The writing is good as well as the art.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Europe Comics and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
September 11, 2025
En juin 1812, Napoléon envahit la Russie avec une armée de plus de 400 000 hommes venant de toute l'Europe. Il semble inarrêtable sur le papier mais dans les faits, il éprouve de sérieuses difficultés. Les russes reculent sans livrer de combat, les lignes logistiques s'étendent, la nourriture manque, les maladies frappent, les désertions font rage. Finalement, l'armée russe fait face à Borodino où une bataille sanglante s'engage. Malheureusement pour Napoléon, elle n'est pas décisive même si la route de Moscou lui est ouverte. Son armée prend alors possession d'une ville vide et Napoléon pense que le tsar demandera bientôt la paix. Pourtant, le soir même des incendies éclatent dans toute la ville. L'enfer avait commencé bien avant pour Napoléon et la Grande Armée mais cette fois, ils en sentent la chaleur.
Dans cet ouvrage, on suit un capitaine de hussard qui a perdu une main lors de la bataille de Borodino. Accompagné de son serviteur, il prend possession d'un palais de Moscou dont il ne pourra jouir longtemps à cause du feu. En même temps, nous faisons la connaissance d'un secrétaire de l'Empereur, Mr. Roque, qui a été choisi pour écrire le courrier. Enfin, nous rencontrons également un groupe de comédiens français qui étaient à Paris au moment de l'invasion et qui n'ont d'autre choix que d'associer leur sort à celui de la Grande Armée. Tous ces personnages vont finir par se rencontrer et à travers leur expérience, c'est toute la débâcle que le lecteur va découvrir.
Pendant, ce temps Napoléon est dépeint en train de gérer la campagne. Il est représenté de manière quelque peu caricaturale: arrogant, imbu de lui-même, colérique, refusant de voir l'évidence que tout le monde lui clame. Il est difficile de déterminer si cette image colle à la réalité car le Napoléon de l'album paraît aveugle au point d'être idiot, ce qu'il n'était certainement pas. Il se convaint que Borodino fut une grande victoire car Koutouzov ne le combat pas, est persuadé (ce qui était vrai) que le tsar va bientôt demander la paix, accuse ses soldats d'être responsables des incendies, etc. On a cependant l'image d'un personnage imbu de lui-même qui n'ecoute personne d'autre que lui, ce qui est tout de même asses proche de la vision que l'on a de lui.
La fin de l'album se veut tragique avec un échange entre 2 personnages au sujet de l'incendie:
Monsieur Toque: "qu'est ce que les prochaines générations vont dire de nous, monsieur Beyle?"
Monsieur Beyle: "Des horreurs, sans doute, Monsieur le secrétaire"
Selon moi, cet échange est faux non pas parce qu'il est fictif mais parce qu'il transmet l'idée véhiculée par les auteurs que les générations futures jugeront sévèrement la Grande Armée. Pourquoi le feraient-elles? L'incendie de Moscou a été causé par les Russes eux-mêmes. De plus, le calvaire de la retraite de Russie n'a fait qu'attirer sur l'armée de Napoléon de la pitié. Il est donc difficile de concevoir que nous designerions la Grande Armée comme coupable.
Pour finir, le dessin se prête parfaitement bien à l'atmosphère véhiculée par le récit. Les uniformes sont superbes et le réalisme est de mise avec des détails tels que des tâches, des dommages, ou des vêtements débraillés qui donnent une image d'armée qui a souffert, loin des clichés de soldats impeccables. Un régal pour les yeux avec une magnifique reconstitution de Moscou.
Dans cet ouvrage, on suit un capitaine de hussard qui a perdu une main lors de la bataille de Borodino. Accompagné de son serviteur, il prend possession d'un palais de Moscou dont il ne pourra jouir longtemps à cause du feu. En même temps, nous faisons la connaissance d'un secrétaire de l'Empereur, Mr. Roque, qui a été choisi pour écrire le courrier. Enfin, nous rencontrons également un groupe de comédiens français qui étaient à Paris au moment de l'invasion et qui n'ont d'autre choix que d'associer leur sort à celui de la Grande Armée. Tous ces personnages vont finir par se rencontrer et à travers leur expérience, c'est toute la débâcle que le lecteur va découvrir.
Pendant, ce temps Napoléon est dépeint en train de gérer la campagne. Il est représenté de manière quelque peu caricaturale: arrogant, imbu de lui-même, colérique, refusant de voir l'évidence que tout le monde lui clame. Il est difficile de déterminer si cette image colle à la réalité car le Napoléon de l'album paraît aveugle au point d'être idiot, ce qu'il n'était certainement pas. Il se convaint que Borodino fut une grande victoire car Koutouzov ne le combat pas, est persuadé (ce qui était vrai) que le tsar va bientôt demander la paix, accuse ses soldats d'être responsables des incendies, etc. On a cependant l'image d'un personnage imbu de lui-même qui n'ecoute personne d'autre que lui, ce qui est tout de même asses proche de la vision que l'on a de lui.
La fin de l'album se veut tragique avec un échange entre 2 personnages au sujet de l'incendie:
Monsieur Toque: "qu'est ce que les prochaines générations vont dire de nous, monsieur Beyle?"
Monsieur Beyle: "Des horreurs, sans doute, Monsieur le secrétaire"
Selon moi, cet échange est faux non pas parce qu'il est fictif mais parce qu'il transmet l'idée véhiculée par les auteurs que les générations futures jugeront sévèrement la Grande Armée. Pourquoi le feraient-elles? L'incendie de Moscou a été causé par les Russes eux-mêmes. De plus, le calvaire de la retraite de Russie n'a fait qu'attirer sur l'armée de Napoléon de la pitié. Il est donc difficile de concevoir que nous designerions la Grande Armée comme coupable.
Pour finir, le dessin se prête parfaitement bien à l'atmosphère véhiculée par le récit. Les uniformes sont superbes et le réalisme est de mise avec des détails tels que des tâches, des dommages, ou des vêtements débraillés qui donnent une image d'armée qui a souffert, loin des clichés de soldats impeccables. Un régal pour les yeux avec une magnifique reconstitution de Moscou.
July 7, 2022
Una historia gráfica de una calidad notabilísima, con mucho rigor histórico y con unos dibujos impresionantes. Dividida en tres volúmenes "Berézina" es una narración que se cocina a fuego lento y donde en este primer número asistiremos a la llegada de los franceses a Moscú y su decepción de lo que encontrarán. Está muy bien explicado esa obsesión de Napoleón por quedar bien con el zar Alejandro -al que llamaba hermano- y los rusos, evitando desmanes. Todo lo contrario que hizo en España, donde se empeñó en cargarse a un país aliado hasta ese momento al que no respetó lo más mínimo. En Rusia en cambio no se le quería y cuando se quiso dar cuenta ya era tarde.
Magníficas ilustraciones del incendio de Moscú, con todos esos soldados y saboteadores escondidos durante días en los sótanos de los edificios esperando el momento para prender fuego. Ahí es donde Napoleón perdió la Campaña, porque esos casi quince días de dudas de si pasar el invierno allí, ir a San Petersburgo, regresar a Europa, buscar una batalla en campo abierto...cuando se duda suele salir mal, y así ocurrió.
Un cómic de una calidad fabulosa, de los que merecen la pena.
Magníficas ilustraciones del incendio de Moscú, con todos esos soldados y saboteadores escondidos durante días en los sótanos de los edificios esperando el momento para prender fuego. Ahí es donde Napoleón perdió la Campaña, porque esos casi quince días de dudas de si pasar el invierno allí, ir a San Petersburgo, regresar a Europa, buscar una batalla en campo abierto...cuando se duda suele salir mal, y así ocurrió.
Un cómic de una calidad fabulosa, de los que merecen la pena.
October 5, 2018
Marvelous work!
The drawer of this comic posseses impressive artistic skill. Though dealing with hard topics, it is a joy to look at the drawings, because they were made with a love for authenticity and detail. It doesn't get much better than this.
Other reviewers have said that they didn't like the storytelling very much and i can relate up to a point, because some parts seem confusing and unrelated, but I think it must be considered that this book is only the first of three, so there is much to be expected and to unfold still. And it is always much harder to tell a story through pictures and bits of dialogue than by being able to analyze every character and thought in words and thereby leading the thoughts iof the readers mind.
I, for my part learned a lot about the time it portrays and the seize of Moscow and a bit about Napoleon himself. I would love to read the second and third comic too and can only emphasize again, how impressed I was by the powerful drawings.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The drawer of this comic posseses impressive artistic skill. Though dealing with hard topics, it is a joy to look at the drawings, because they were made with a love for authenticity and detail. It doesn't get much better than this.
Other reviewers have said that they didn't like the storytelling very much and i can relate up to a point, because some parts seem confusing and unrelated, but I think it must be considered that this book is only the first of three, so there is much to be expected and to unfold still. And it is always much harder to tell a story through pictures and bits of dialogue than by being able to analyze every character and thought in words and thereby leading the thoughts iof the readers mind.
I, for my part learned a lot about the time it portrays and the seize of Moscow and a bit about Napoleon himself. I would love to read the second and third comic too and can only emphasize again, how impressed I was by the powerful drawings.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
November 4, 2024
During Napoleon's invasion of Russia, something incredible happened - he actually succeeded.
...in a way. Berezina details the "successful" campaign that became a complete nightmare for Napoleon and his army. fRederic Richaud adapts the book "The Retreat" by Patrick Rambaud into graphic novel form, and the result is a really well done and engaging comic book. In this first volume we see Napoleon enter Moscow, prepared to fight - and finding the city virtually deserted. Then the fires began. Russian soldiers that stayed behind for the sole purpose of lighting the city on fire, begin their task to great effect. The result: a blaze so massive that Napoleon's army had to abandon the city.
The art by Ivan Gil is fantastic and really brings the story to life. His character work is some of the best I have seen recently and is something that he excels at. Each soldier looks like an individual person, and not the same face with different hair - many artists have 5 or 6 faces and kind of just change the hair - but Gil definitely does not. Each person's facial structure is different as well as their body shape and size. Fantastic work from Gil.
This was a great start to the story and I'm looking forward to volume 2.
...in a way. Berezina details the "successful" campaign that became a complete nightmare for Napoleon and his army. fRederic Richaud adapts the book "The Retreat" by Patrick Rambaud into graphic novel form, and the result is a really well done and engaging comic book. In this first volume we see Napoleon enter Moscow, prepared to fight - and finding the city virtually deserted. Then the fires began. Russian soldiers that stayed behind for the sole purpose of lighting the city on fire, begin their task to great effect. The result: a blaze so massive that Napoleon's army had to abandon the city.
The art by Ivan Gil is fantastic and really brings the story to life. His character work is some of the best I have seen recently and is something that he excels at. Each soldier looks like an individual person, and not the same face with different hair - many artists have 5 or 6 faces and kind of just change the hair - but Gil definitely does not. Each person's facial structure is different as well as their body shape and size. Fantastic work from Gil.
This was a great start to the story and I'm looking forward to volume 2.
January 29, 2018
The French Invasion of Russia in 1812 is generally regarded as the turning point of Napoleon's career.
Prior to that? Austerlitz. Friedland. Jena-Auerstedt.
After? The Peninsular Campaign and (eventually) Waterloo
So what happened?
Basically, the Russians adopted a scorched-earth policy, falling back before Napoleon's Grand Armee after their defeat at Borodino, allowing the Emperor to enter Moscow virtually unopposed.
However, the Russians then set fire to Moscow, forcing Napoleon and his troops back out onto the the Russian roads in the middle of the freezing Russian winter.
This particular Graphic Novel deals with the first part of that history, starting with the French army entering Moscow and ending with them forced out - under-nourished and ill-prepared - back onto the roads.
Prior to that? Austerlitz. Friedland. Jena-Auerstedt.
After? The Peninsular Campaign and (eventually) Waterloo
So what happened?
Basically, the Russians adopted a scorched-earth policy, falling back before Napoleon's Grand Armee after their defeat at Borodino, allowing the Emperor to enter Moscow virtually unopposed.
However, the Russians then set fire to Moscow, forcing Napoleon and his troops back out onto the the Russian roads in the middle of the freezing Russian winter.
This particular Graphic Novel deals with the first part of that history, starting with the French army entering Moscow and ending with them forced out - under-nourished and ill-prepared - back onto the roads.
July 14, 2021
Berezina is a graphic novel adapted from "The retreat", historical fiction novel by Patrick Rambaud which focus on Napoleon's failed Russian campaign of 1812.
As the introduction says, it doesn't start from the Battle of Borodino but after, the Grande Armée is heading to Moscow and when they get there they discover the place's deserted. However when night falls, many houses start to burn and the troops realize the arsonists are people hidden in the basement of different zones of the capital.
The POVs of this story are a Dragoon Captain accompanied with a dumb dude with a donkey which serves as comic relief for the story, the secretary Sebastian, and bits of Napoleon himself.
While this story covers one of my favorite Napoleonic campaigns, i haven't read about it in so long my shabby memory can't say how accurate this is but i suspect the accuracy covers only on the general aspect of the setting, since it's based on a fictional novel and i doubt there'd be a bunch of actors (one of them a gorgeous actress) conveniently left behind on the city who'll eventually be used to entertain Napoleon's troops.
Lastly, the art was pretty good. I liked the gritty vibe with sure yet loose inks and pleasing colors.
As the introduction says, it doesn't start from the Battle of Borodino but after, the Grande Armée is heading to Moscow and when they get there they discover the place's deserted. However when night falls, many houses start to burn and the troops realize the arsonists are people hidden in the basement of different zones of the capital.
The POVs of this story are a Dragoon Captain accompanied with a dumb dude with a donkey which serves as comic relief for the story, the secretary Sebastian, and bits of Napoleon himself.
While this story covers one of my favorite Napoleonic campaigns, i haven't read about it in so long my shabby memory can't say how accurate this is but i suspect the accuracy covers only on the general aspect of the setting, since it's based on a fictional novel and i doubt there'd be a bunch of actors (one of them a gorgeous actress) conveniently left behind on the city who'll eventually be used to entertain Napoleon's troops.
Lastly, the art was pretty good. I liked the gritty vibe with sure yet loose inks and pleasing colors.
August 25, 2023
Loosely following the events of the previous series, "The Battle", "Berezina" follows Napoleon's forces three months into their invasion of Russia. Despite the fierce spirit of the Russians, Napoleon's armies have not faced any signficant resistance on their march to Moscow. Instead, they find deserted villages and burned farms. As they reach Moscow they find the city completely deserted, though it turns out to be a deadly trap laid by the enemy.
The story shifts narratives a fair bit and comes off a little disjointed, but otherwise it was a fun read. The depiction of battles were incredibly rendered by Ivan Gil, and the book is teeming with warm, vibrant colors.
The story shifts narratives a fair bit and comes off a little disjointed, but otherwise it was a fun read. The depiction of battles were incredibly rendered by Ivan Gil, and the book is teeming with warm, vibrant colors.
October 31, 2018
Once again I am indebted to NetGalley for providing a Kindle version of this book to read and honestly review.
However when i requested the book i had just recently read Adam Zamoyski's book 1812 Napolean's fatal march on Moscow, which i thoroughly enjoyed and therefore assumed this book was a similar non-fiction work concentrating on the battle of Berezina. Which to some extent is the case, but it is a graphic novel, and therefore not the best format for an Amazon Fire.
The kindle version does not do justice to the amazing illustrations in this book, hence the three star rating.
However when i requested the book i had just recently read Adam Zamoyski's book 1812 Napolean's fatal march on Moscow, which i thoroughly enjoyed and therefore assumed this book was a similar non-fiction work concentrating on the battle of Berezina. Which to some extent is the case, but it is a graphic novel, and therefore not the best format for an Amazon Fire.
The kindle version does not do justice to the amazing illustrations in this book, hence the three star rating.
July 22, 2020
I was interested in a graphic novel about Napoleon's invasion of Russia. Sadly, this wanders a little bit. It's not quite a historical narrative and not quite historical fiction with its own plot. i thought it was floundering somewhere in the middle and that there was little more than chance tying the characters together. It also mostly ignores Napoleon's marshals who were an interesting bunch and critical to all of his campaigns. Instead, it feature a bad tempered (he did just lose a hand) dragoon captain.
I might try volume 2, but I'm not impressed.
I might try volume 2, but I'm not impressed.
November 12, 2024
Incredible follow-up to "La Bataille," art by Ivan Gil, adapted by writer Frédéric Richaud based on the novel by Patrick Rambaud. Now THIS is historical fiction -- not petty crime solving, or family romance, but human lives thrown into the maw of historical forces, writ large, and drawn large, on the page. I have viewed both the printed edition (thanks to colleage R. for introducing and lending to me) and the Kindle version on a 13-inch iPad: both are incredible dramatic experiences, but my aging eyes find the magnification function of the iPad literally revelatory.
August 10, 2025
Amazing artwork & story telling. Recommended
This is a really special series and I’m looking forward to reading all of it. It’s something I will almost certainly come back to again in the future because there is so much to see in every single cell and the story itself is compelling as well. Highly recommended!
This is a really special series and I’m looking forward to reading all of it. It’s something I will almost certainly come back to again in the future because there is so much to see in every single cell and the story itself is compelling as well. Highly recommended!
October 15, 2018
Beautiful drawings, brilliant exploration of a lesser known bit of history (I'd never heard of the fires of Moscow before), and I liked the intermingling of personal drama with the historical action.
Thank you Netgalley for giving me an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you Netgalley for giving me an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 5, 2023
Follows Napoleon's campaign into Russia. The book begins after three grueling months where Russians have fled while destroying all their crops and taking their livestock with them leaving the French tired and hungry as they enter a deserted Moscow. A deserted Moscow that is really one big trap...
August 24, 2023
Well illustrated, good pace - not as much character development, but not much room to do that given it's length.
December 7, 2025
Napolyon'un Rusya Seferinde geçen ilginç bir öykünün çizgi romanı.
September 14, 2018
A mix of soapy goings-on when Napoleon and his armies invaded Russia for being pro-British, and hard-core historical accuracy likewise, don't make for a brilliant book. On the one hand you have what you have to assume are real characters, doing what they did, and on the other furtive looks between soldiers and buxom, abandoned actresses. It's a mix that doesn't really work – and the fact this trilogy-opener just stops in the middle of nowhere really doesn't help anyone either. The full story might engage some people with a passing interest in historical fiction concerning the time, but I doubt I'd rush back, actress or no.
June 1, 2019
Ok, I get that this is the beginning of a series, and that it's short, but even so there is NO story development here whatsoever.
It's 1812, and Napoleon has just "invaded" Moscow - except the city is empty and being slowly set on fire by a few scraggly rebels. There's a troupe of actor for some reason, and inexplicable "comic relief" from a dopey guy with a donkey, an angry one handed captain and a secretary that don't do much of anything except lust after an actress with GIANT boobs.
Totally pointless.
It's 1812, and Napoleon has just "invaded" Moscow - except the city is empty and being slowly set on fire by a few scraggly rebels. There's a troupe of actor for some reason, and inexplicable "comic relief" from a dopey guy with a donkey, an angry one handed captain and a secretary that don't do much of anything except lust after an actress with GIANT boobs.
Totally pointless.
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