Blue is the Warmest Color

[Nancy]

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[Nancy]

I wasn't going to read this because I don't really care for graphic novels, but I saw the film very recently and am curious how it compares to the novel.

Feel free to use this space to discuss/compare the film and novel.

[Carola]

I just read this last weekend. I'm not sure how I feel about it. I absolutely adore the graphics and style, it really is a gorgeous graphic novel. But the plot was a bit meh...

[Rambling Reader]

I placed a hold for this book at the library. looking forward to reading it.

Nancy, have you read Alison Bechdel's graphical memoirs? very good!

[Nancy]

Rambling Reader wrote: "I placed a hold for this book at the library. looking forward to reading it.

Nancy, have you read Alison Bechdel's graphical memoirs? very good!"

I'm number 9 out of 14 requesters at at the library. The film was a mixed bag for me. First of all, 3 hours is way too long for a film, especially one that meandered so much and managed to leave out a lot of important details. In many ways, it reminded me of those arty European films that focus less on plot and dialogue and more on intimate details of people's lives. I liked how it explored friendships and showed a glimpse of French culture.

While I liked that the film wasn't shy about the women's sexual relationship, I felt it was exploitative, male-centered, porny, lacking intimacy and not realistic.

Straight men should not produce films about female sexuality...ever! They simply have no clue.

RR, no, I have not yet Alison Bechdel.

[Mel, Moderator]

Nancy wrote: "Rambling Reader wrote: "I placed a hold for this book at the library. looking forward to reading it.

Nancy, have you read Alison Bechdel's graphical memoirs? very good!"

I'm number 9 out of 14..."

I have this on my TBR list and I have the film on my to watch list. I had heard that the film was disappointing. I'm not sure when I will get to either but people's thoughts on both are interesting to read.

[Greg]

Nancy, I read that the author of the graphic novel had similar complaints about the movie - she was not happy with it.

[Nancy]

Just got my copy from the library today! I hope it is better than the film.

[Rambling Reader]

I got my copy from the library the other day. wow... what a sad story. not sure if I like it.

[Nancy]

Rambling Reader wrote: "I got my copy from the library the other day. wow... what a sad story. not sure if I like it."

You rated it 5 stars?

[Rambling Reader]

yeah it's that good but it's also one of these books that leaves you feeling all sorts of blue.

[Greg]

Rambling Reader wrote: "yeah it's that good but it's also one of these books that leaves you feeling all sorts of blue."

Thanks Rambling Reader! I'm going to try to get a copy to read.

[Nancy]

I'm already feeling blue. :(

[Greg]

Nancy wrote: "I'm already feeling blue. :("

With all you're going through, it might not be the best choice of reading material for you right now. :(

When I want to forget everything and gain some mental downtime, I usually read something by P.G. Wodehouse like Carry on, Jeeves. Those books can make me laugh with their sheer silliness. Either that or something by Jasper Fforde. Fforde requires me to engage my brain a bit more, but I find him funny too. The Nursery Crimes series starting with The Big Over Easy was wonderfully unserious.

[Rambling Reader]

Nancy wrote: "I'm already feeling blue. :("
What's happening?
Did I miss something?

Hugs

[Nancy]

Rambling Reader wrote: "Nancy wrote: "I'm already feeling blue. :("
What's happening?
Did I miss something?

Hugs"

sending you a pm, rambling.

[Greg]

I ordered a cheap copy online - will read it when it gets here! :)

[Geraldine]

I read the book and watched the excellent movie. I wept!

[A]

I ordered a copy of this online, I'll post more after I read it.

[Greg]

I finished the first half tonight. I really like the artwork, particularly the inking and coloration. Some of the backgrounds are fairly stunning, particularly in some of the earlier bus/traffic panels. I also like the way color is used to highlight things .. like Anna's blue hair when Clem first saw her.

My only complaint so far is that the writing doesn't feel too subtle. The dialogue of Clem's parents and the kids at the school is a bit extreme, not that it couldn't happen that way but it just felt a touch off to me. For example, one of the girls says, (view spoiler)["They're perverts and sickos, and then you bring miss super dyke back here with you. You must also be doing disgusting things - and with her" (hide spoiler)]. It doesn't feel like quite the right words somehow, a little stilted or over the top, though the sentiment behind the words could certainly fit. Maybe the problem I'm having is with the English translation? The dialogue doesn't always feel 100% natural.

I'm liking the story so far though, perhaps a bit melodramatic in spots but I'll reserve judgement on that until I see where the story goes. I'll post more when I finish.

[Geraldine]

The narrative is a translation.

[Greg]

Geraldine wrote: "The narrative is a translation."

I thought so Geraldine. I wonder what it reads like in the original French. Have you read the French version?

[Geraldine]

I don't know French.

[Greg]

Geraldine wrote: "I don't know French."

Unfortunately I don't either

[Susan]

I just finished this book. I also liked the illustrations and the use of color. So much drama between the girls and their relationship keeps going around in circles. Why couldn't they get it together? I saw the movie first and I was surprised by the way the ending was different.