Favorite readings can be shared and our community recommends each day one of the ten novels selected among the Nuggets of the Montreuil Youth Book Fair.
Today, the novel which received the Nugget in the “teen fiction” category, “Polly” by Fabrice Melquiot and Isabelle Pralong, appeared on August 19, 2021 by Éditions Joie de lire.
Aube LaVilaine, contributor to the
20 Minutes
Books
reading group
, recommends
Polly
by playwright Fabrice Melquiot, illustrations by Isabelle Pralong, published on August 19, 2021 by Éditions Joie de lire.
The book received the Nugget for best teen fiction, Wednesday at the Montreuil Youth Book Fair,
Her favorite quote:
"Because we are, it is certain, of a world where one must decide, define, determine, arrange, organize, classify. But these verbs slip out of Polly's slender hands, like little fish. "
Why this book?
Because it is a difficult exercise to talk about the
very popular
theme
of "genre" without falling into the clichés.
Here, Polly's life is told with honesty and tenderness by Fabrice Melquiot and Isabelle Pralong's magnetic illustrations suit the subject.
There is a lot of poetry in this graceful work.
Because following Polly's life from birth,
through her 10, 20, 30 or 40 years, is a precious human adventure.
We doubt with Polly, we also suffer, we look for a place in this vast world.
Then ?
Guille or farçon?
Polly is something else, it is an appearance ...
Because each of us has come up against this obligation
to tick or enter boxes, while perceiving the discomfort of renouncing oneself or a part of oneself.
For Polly, it's much more intense, "for a long time, the word conforms hurt her".
This beautiful album with the allure of a graphic novel is intended for all those whose heart is found too cramped in a box.
What is the use of occupying it when one can exist outside?
The essentials in 2 minutes
The plot.
When Polly is born, we are not very sure… You have to tick a box, but which one?
His first years will be punctuated by questions of identity, medical visits, heavy treatments and operations.
Someday it's time to check, but who decides?
Is it a final choice?
Characters.
Polly, from birth to adulthood.
His parents, a little lost.
Children, benevolent, a social and professional system which is less so.
A street philosopher, an arbiter ...
Places.
The story seems to take place in France or Switzerland, but it doesn't matter, it's mostly in Polly's mind, body and heart.
The time.
Today and a few decades ago, when Polly was born
The author.
Fabrice Melquiot is a theater author and has already won numerous prizes.
Isabelle Pralong is an illustrator and cartoonist.
She is also a professor in Geneva at the school of comics and illustration.
This book was read with
interest and the desire not to tick any more boxes ...
Buy this book on Amazon
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Book sheet 20 Minutes
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