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Wordt Vervolgd Novellen #30
Die Brüder Adamov
"Effortlessly masterful." — Bookgasm
"A fascinating little work of art. Will linger with you long after you put the book down. Definitely worth your time." — Just Well Mixed
Amid the tenements and riverfronts of the Lower East Side, twin brothers Max and Morris rule the seedy streets as chieftains of a crew of thieves and hoodlums. Tensions rise when a rival gang encroaches upon their Sheriff Street territory, leading to a wave of violence that threatens to develop into an all-out war. The setting becomes even more explosive when a femme fatale enters the scene and tests the brothers' loyalty to each other.
With its moody, atmospheric images of New York City's underworld during the 1930s, this graphic novel conjures up the timeless allure of film noir. The haunting illustrations are the work of French artist Jacques de Loustal, who is also a noted painter and graphic artist. This edition includes a series of the artist's preliminary sketches. Author Jerome Charyn, hailed by New York Newsday as"a contemporary American Balzac," provides a new introduction and translation for the tale, which was originally published in French. Suggested for mature readers.
"A fascinating little work of art. Will linger with you long after you put the book down. Definitely worth your time." — Just Well Mixed
Amid the tenements and riverfronts of the Lower East Side, twin brothers Max and Morris rule the seedy streets as chieftains of a crew of thieves and hoodlums. Tensions rise when a rival gang encroaches upon their Sheriff Street territory, leading to a wave of violence that threatens to develop into an all-out war. The setting becomes even more explosive when a femme fatale enters the scene and tests the brothers' loyalty to each other.
With its moody, atmospheric images of New York City's underworld during the 1930s, this graphic novel conjures up the timeless allure of film noir. The haunting illustrations are the work of French artist Jacques de Loustal, who is also a noted painter and graphic artist. This edition includes a series of the artist's preliminary sketches. Author Jerome Charyn, hailed by New York Newsday as"a contemporary American Balzac," provides a new introduction and translation for the tale, which was originally published in French. Suggested for mature readers.
- GenresComics
70 pages, Board Book
First published January 1, 1991
About the author
Jerome Charyn
224 books233 followersJerome Charyn is an award-winning American author. With more than 50 published works, Charyn has earned a long-standing reputation as an inventive and prolific chronicler of real and imagined American life.
Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Michael Chabon calls him "one of the most important writers in American literature." New York Newsday hailed Charyn as "a contemporary American Balzac," and the Los Angeles Times described him as "absolutely unique among American writers."
Since the 1964 release of Charyn's first novel, Once Upon a Droshky, he has published thirty novels, three memoirs, eight graphic novels, two books about film, short stories, plays, and works of non-fiction. Two of his memoirs were named New York Times Book of the Year.
Charyn has been a finalist for the PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction. He received the Rosenthal Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters and was named Commander of Arts and Letters by the French Minister of Culture. Charyn is Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Film Studies at the American University of Paris.
In addition to writing and teaching, Charyn is a tournament table tennis player, once ranked in the top ten percent of players in France. Noted novelist Don DeLillo called Charyn's book on table tennis, Sizzling Chops & Devilish Spins, "The Sun Also Rises of ping-pong."
Charyn's most recent novel, Jerzy, was described by The New Yorker as a "fictional fantasia" about the life of Jerzy Kosinski, the controversial author of The Painted Bird. In 2010, Charyn wrote The Secret Life of Emily Dickinson, an imagined autobiography of the renowned poet, a book characterized by Joyce Carol Oates as a "fever-dream picaresque."
Charyn lives in New York City. He's currently working with artists Asaf and Tomer Hanuka on an animated television series based on his Isaac Sidel crime novels.
Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Michael Chabon calls him "one of the most important writers in American literature." New York Newsday hailed Charyn as "a contemporary American Balzac," and the Los Angeles Times described him as "absolutely unique among American writers."
Since the 1964 release of Charyn's first novel, Once Upon a Droshky, he has published thirty novels, three memoirs, eight graphic novels, two books about film, short stories, plays, and works of non-fiction. Two of his memoirs were named New York Times Book of the Year.
Charyn has been a finalist for the PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction. He received the Rosenthal Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters and was named Commander of Arts and Letters by the French Minister of Culture. Charyn is Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Film Studies at the American University of Paris.
In addition to writing and teaching, Charyn is a tournament table tennis player, once ranked in the top ten percent of players in France. Noted novelist Don DeLillo called Charyn's book on table tennis, Sizzling Chops & Devilish Spins, "The Sun Also Rises of ping-pong."
Charyn's most recent novel, Jerzy, was described by The New Yorker as a "fictional fantasia" about the life of Jerzy Kosinski, the controversial author of The Painted Bird. In 2010, Charyn wrote The Secret Life of Emily Dickinson, an imagined autobiography of the renowned poet, a book characterized by Joyce Carol Oates as a "fever-dream picaresque."
Charyn lives in New York City. He's currently working with artists Asaf and Tomer Hanuka on an animated television series based on his Isaac Sidel crime novels.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 26, 2016
I'm not an experienced graphic novels reader, I was in my earlier years though, but I thought that it could be a welcome change from my usual routine.
It was not long, but unfortunately also not what I hoped to get from it.
Two gangster twin brothers who have to test their loyalty to each other when a femme fatale enters their life-story turned out to be a boring and forgettable experience for a newbie.
One of the reasons, why I couldn't enjoy it was also an annoying formatting.
Maybe graphic novels in general are unsuitable for kindle devices. But on my all kindles I have a strange formatting, that was difficult to read. A paperback would be definitively a better choice in this case.
**Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
February 7, 2017
I enjoyed this graphic novel mostly for the art...
It was exceptional.
The story was also interesting but what stand out for me was the art.
It was exceptional.
The story was also interesting but what stand out for me was the art.
January 15, 2020
This book was originally supposed to be a film script, before the writer decided to turn it into a graphic novel. It might have been better had he left it as a script as the published work is lacking in depth, character, and style.
Two twin brothers run a criminal empire in 1930s New York. As they violently expand their empire, the one brother becomes engaged to a gorgeous woman, whose beauty causes a rift between the two. One brother dies and the other moves right in. These battles are told over three episodes. Not much of a story here.
Nor is there any real characterization. All of them feel flat, with nothing to distinguish them. The one brother’s problem with the female is barely explained. One brother has a hunchback and seizures, but it doesn’t really impact the story. All of the dialogue feels awkward and forced.
I honestly expected much more from the author. Every other work of his I’ve read has been fantastic, both in art and writing. This was very tedious and felt as if it was dashed off in half an hour. Usually his writing is elevated by the art, but not in this case. Ashamed I paid money for this book.
Two twin brothers run a criminal empire in 1930s New York. As they violently expand their empire, the one brother becomes engaged to a gorgeous woman, whose beauty causes a rift between the two. One brother dies and the other moves right in. These battles are told over three episodes. Not much of a story here.
Nor is there any real characterization. All of them feel flat, with nothing to distinguish them. The one brother’s problem with the female is barely explained. One brother has a hunchback and seizures, but it doesn’t really impact the story. All of the dialogue feels awkward and forced.
I honestly expected much more from the author. Every other work of his I’ve read has been fantastic, both in art and writing. This was very tedious and felt as if it was dashed off in half an hour. Usually his writing is elevated by the art, but not in this case. Ashamed I paid money for this book.
August 28, 2016
'The Boys of Sheriff Street'by Jacques de Loustal with an introduction by Jerome Charyn is a masterful crime comic with unique and unusual illustrations for a graphic novel.
Max and Morris are twin brothers, although they are different. Morris is tall and Max is short and has a humpback. They hang out in Mendel's Cafe with their gang and run quite a protection racket on Sheriff Street. When a woman named Ida Chance shows up, Max and Morris are at odds with each other and start a war with a rival gang leader named Leo Whale.
It looks and plays out like a noir drama with Ida Chance playing the femme fatale and Max forever being the chump. The colors are darker brown based and rich. The drawings tell the story nicely. There is sudden violence and tragedy in this world, and I'm glad I got to read it.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Dover Publications and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
Max and Morris are twin brothers, although they are different. Morris is tall and Max is short and has a humpback. They hang out in Mendel's Cafe with their gang and run quite a protection racket on Sheriff Street. When a woman named Ida Chance shows up, Max and Morris are at odds with each other and start a war with a rival gang leader named Leo Whale.
It looks and plays out like a noir drama with Ida Chance playing the femme fatale and Max forever being the chump. The colors are darker brown based and rich. The drawings tell the story nicely. There is sudden violence and tragedy in this world, and I'm glad I got to read it.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Dover Publications and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
November 27, 2025
« Les frères Adamov » de Jérôme Charyn et Loustal est un roman graphique qui mérite l'attention des amateurs du genre. L'histoire nous transporte dans le New York de la seconde moitié des années 30, recréant une atmosphère noire crédible et bien définie, faite de marginalité et d'ambitions criminelles.
Au centre du récit se trouvent deux frères, liés par des affaires illicites, et une figure féminine qui devient le catalyseur d'une crise profonde. La femme fatale est l'objet du désir non partagé de l'un, tandis qu'elle est la compagne de l'autre. Ce triangle amoureux est géré avec efficacité, développant une escalade de jalousie et de tension qui est le véritable moteur de l'histoire.
Le scénario de Charyn est tendu et axé sur les relations interpersonnelles déformées par l'obsession. Sur le plan visuel, l'œuvre se distingue grâce à la contribution de Loustal. Son style pictural et caractéristique est un élément fondamental pour s'immerger dans l'ambiance souhaitée, mettant en valeur le décor urbain et les visages des personnages avec une élégance mélancolique.
L'œuvre est bien réalisée et ne trahit pas les attentes du genre. C'est un noir classique, peut-être pas révolutionnaire, mais extrêmement solide et visuellement raffiné.
En conclusion : une lecture recommandée à ceux qui recherchent un roman hard-boiled narrativement compact et visuellement suggestif. L'histoire trouble des frères Adamov démontre que la formule classique du noir peut encore fonctionner si elle est exécutée avec autant de soin.
Au centre du récit se trouvent deux frères, liés par des affaires illicites, et une figure féminine qui devient le catalyseur d'une crise profonde. La femme fatale est l'objet du désir non partagé de l'un, tandis qu'elle est la compagne de l'autre. Ce triangle amoureux est géré avec efficacité, développant une escalade de jalousie et de tension qui est le véritable moteur de l'histoire.
Le scénario de Charyn est tendu et axé sur les relations interpersonnelles déformées par l'obsession. Sur le plan visuel, l'œuvre se distingue grâce à la contribution de Loustal. Son style pictural et caractéristique est un élément fondamental pour s'immerger dans l'ambiance souhaitée, mettant en valeur le décor urbain et les visages des personnages avec une élégance mélancolique.
L'œuvre est bien réalisée et ne trahit pas les attentes du genre. C'est un noir classique, peut-être pas révolutionnaire, mais extrêmement solide et visuellement raffiné.
En conclusion : une lecture recommandée à ceux qui recherchent un roman hard-boiled narrativement compact et visuellement suggestif. L'histoire trouble des frères Adamov démontre que la formule classique du noir peut encore fonctionner si elle est exécutée avec autant de soin.
October 28, 2018
First off, who writes their own introductions? He does so he can tell you how he wants you to see his book. In this one he even says that his book isn't exactly like the one that inspired it even though his own words tell you it surely is.
I've had enough of Charyn and his god-complex! Humans can create, but once a person -or character- is created, they can't be forced to do EXACTLY what the creator wants! In all three or four stories I've read he forces them way too far out of character so that they can fit his clearly predetermined story-lines.
Of course the Clownshoe gets praise for his "dream-like and poetic" ramblings that the reader is supposed to feel like when they don't understand or something doesn't jive with them that it's because he writes on such a high plane. He's really just a ponce with a pompous pencil that happens to get some of the best artists in the world to make his poop-soup look pretty:
JACQUES: I'M SO SORRY TO GIVE ONLY TWO STARS TO SOMETHING THAT HAD YOUR ***** ART! MARVELOUS AND ELEGANT ARE JUST AN AMUSE-BOUCHE OF THE COMPLIMENTS IT DESERVES AND FLATTENING ALL ELSE IN THE PANELS WITH IDA WAS BRILLIANT!
I've had enough of Charyn and his god-complex! Humans can create, but once a person -or character- is created, they can't be forced to do EXACTLY what the creator wants! In all three or four stories I've read he forces them way too far out of character so that they can fit his clearly predetermined story-lines.
Of course the Clownshoe gets praise for his "dream-like and poetic" ramblings that the reader is supposed to feel like when they don't understand or something doesn't jive with them that it's because he writes on such a high plane. He's really just a ponce with a pompous pencil that happens to get some of the best artists in the world to make his poop-soup look pretty:
JACQUES: I'M SO SORRY TO GIVE ONLY TWO STARS TO SOMETHING THAT HAD YOUR ***** ART! MARVELOUS AND ELEGANT ARE JUST AN AMUSE-BOUCHE OF THE COMPLIMENTS IT DESERVES AND FLATTENING ALL ELSE IN THE PANELS WITH IDA WAS BRILLIANT!
November 5, 2021
It was ok, basically a story of gangs violence and obsession, none of which turns out well.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 14, 2017
This work didn't stand out to me as did Charyn's collaborations with Boucq. I'm not sure if it was de Loustal's art or the storytelling style, but there's something about this narrative that didn't resonate with me.
February 9, 2017
No superpowers, no torture, no gore. No hyper-complex highly unbelievable plot. Just life, love and death. Maybe that's why some here were bored...
This is about misfits, melancholy, the blues, a kind of film noir sensibility. Lowlifes that you feel for, characters with souls. dead-end lives that are more attractive than the lives of most of us. Slow tempo. The art is wonderful: black pen and direct colored inks (maybe some watercolor?) on real paper. No undo.
This is about misfits, melancholy, the blues, a kind of film noir sensibility. Lowlifes that you feel for, characters with souls. dead-end lives that are more attractive than the lives of most of us. Slow tempo. The art is wonderful: black pen and direct colored inks (maybe some watercolor?) on real paper. No undo.
September 29, 2016
A mediocre piece, nowhere near as salvage-worthy as the publishers – and the self-congratulatory puff of introduction – allege. It's just a simple story of two gangster brothers and the woman that comes between them, but despite what we read the artwork was quite ordinary as well – nowhere does it have a special feel, or even mood. It's a decent enough book, with almost a ligne claire look (just with more elaborate colouring), but in three short chapters it proves to be quite forgettable.
October 4, 2016
A reprint of a French comic from the 80's. It's a somewhat boring story about two gangster brothers and the woman who comes between them.
Received an advance copy from Dover and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Received an advance copy from Dover and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 17, 2016
This really didn't do much for me. The art is very well done and a joy to look at, however, there isn't much of a story. Set in 1930s New York about mobsters the book sounded promising but in truth, it is the story of how a woman comes between two brothers. Slow and didn't evoke any emotion in me.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews