Status
Available
Call number
Series
Publication
Jonathan Cape Ltd (2009), Hardcover, 104 pages
Description
"Two hundred years ago, Britain lost the Napoleonic War and fell under the thumb of French domination. Gaining independence after decades of civil disobedience and anarchist bombings, the Socialist Republic of Britain is now a small, unimportant backwater connected by a railway bridge, steam-powered dirigible, and mutual suspicion to France. When a British diplomat's murder is made to look like suicide, ferocious Detective-Inspector LeBrock of Scotland Yard stalks a ruthless murder squad through the heart of a Belle Epoque Paris, the center of the greatest empire in a world of steam-driven hansom cabs, automatons, and flying machines. LeBrock's relentless quest can lead only to death, truth . . . or war" -- from publisher's web site.
User reviews
LibraryThing member AnnieMod
When Talbot decided to write alternative story, he did not just tweak one small events. In the world created in this graphic novel, France had won the Napoleonic Wars and is ruling the world, Ground Zero is where another tower had been (and despite its new name you know which one it is), humans did
If that does not make you want to read it, add a few more details:
- A detective (which happens to be a badger) and his trusty companion (who happens to be a rat)
- A secret French society
- A war looming on the horizon and another one led away from home
- A few unexplainable suicides which hold the key for the whole thing.
- A love interest for our detective that seem to be at least as interested as he is.
It is a detective mystery, a political thriller and a steampunk novel rolled in one. Add a few references to history, European comics and the good art and this book is a must read. But do not expect a happy ending - in some ways, things finish well and we can call it happy. In others, it ends in the worst possible way.
Of course, it can as well be read it as a comment of the current state of politics in the States (current being the year when it is written - 2009) - I almost expected to see the "Any connection to real events..." warning. But then - this is expected in a way - art imitates life. And one of the points is exactly this - despite all the changes, we end up in the same situation.
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not evolve as the only talking and thinking animals and ended up the menial workers for everyone else and the science evolved a bit differently. If that does not make you want to read it, add a few more details:
- A detective (which happens to be a badger) and his trusty companion (who happens to be a rat)
- A secret French society
- A war looming on the horizon and another one led away from home
- A few unexplainable suicides which hold the key for the whole thing.
- A love interest for our detective that seem to be at least as interested as he is.
It is a detective mystery, a political thriller and a steampunk novel rolled in one. Add a few references to history, European comics and the good art and this book is a must read. But do not expect a happy ending - in some ways, things finish well and we can call it happy. In others, it ends in the worst possible way.
Of course, it can as well be read it as a comment of the current state of politics in the States (current being the year when it is written - 2009) - I almost expected to see the "Any connection to real events..." warning. But then - this is expected in a way - art imitates life. And one of the points is exactly this - despite all the changes, we end up in the same situation.
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LibraryThing member Choreocrat
Steampunk comics are nothing new. Anthropomorphic animals are nothing new. Holmesian investigators are nothing new. And yet, Grandville combines all of these elements into something new and exciting. Bryan Talbot (who I first discovered earlier this year from reading the heartbreaking Tale of One
Literary references are thick and fast here, from Sherlock Holmes and Georges Melies' Trip to the Moon to V for Vendetta and other, more modern pop culture hits. Political references are also easily detected, if you look for them. Some are perhaps less subtle than they could have been, but subtler references may be lost on the greater audience.
As far as I'm concerned this parallels well with the soon to be released Sherlock Holmes movie. I'll be interested to compare the two, when I can.
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Bad Rat) uses Grandville to drop you both immediately and comfortably into an alternate history in an alternate universe where animals are sentient (and as for humans, well...) and the French are everywhere.Literary references are thick and fast here, from Sherlock Holmes and Georges Melies' Trip to the Moon to V for Vendetta and other, more modern pop culture hits. Political references are also easily detected, if you look for them. Some are perhaps less subtle than they could have been, but subtler references may be lost on the greater audience.
As far as I'm concerned this parallels well with the soon to be released Sherlock Holmes movie. I'll be interested to compare the two, when I can.
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LibraryThing member othersam
I knew I was going to enjoy Grandville before the first book came out. It wasn't "just" the dapper-dressed gun-toting badger on the cover, nor even because the art and writing are by British comics legend Bryan Talbot, but because I was already a fan of the artist whose work inspired the series and
From the Grandville of the nineteenth century's wonderfully bizarre images of animals acting like humans Talbot has woven a fizzingly imaginative alternate world, in which animals rule and humans (or "doughfaces" as we're known) are reduced to underclass status. Down the streets of a gorgeously rendered steampunk Paris stalks hard-bitten Detective Inspect LeBrock, battling evildoers of every stripe and species with the help of his faithful partner and friend Roderick Ratzi.
If you find the idea of animals punching each other, stabbing each other or blasting ten bells out of each other with large calibre guns off-putting or upsetting, maybe this series isn't for you. The Wind in the Willows this ain't: the Grandville books are dark, gritty and surprisingly violent. They're also wildly thrilling and enormous fun. In the latest volume, Bete Noire, LeBrock /not only/ has to stop an army of machine-gun-packing robots, he /also/ has to foil a dastardly capitalist conspiracy to suppress figurative art and replace it with abstract expressionism! For those who notice, these books are stuffed with witty references to other works, other ideas - but never at the expense of a cracking good story. I think these books are terrific. I hope you will too.
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whose nom de plume provided its title.From the Grandville of the nineteenth century's wonderfully bizarre images of animals acting like humans Talbot has woven a fizzingly imaginative alternate world, in which animals rule and humans (or "doughfaces" as we're known) are reduced to underclass status. Down the streets of a gorgeously rendered steampunk Paris stalks hard-bitten Detective Inspect LeBrock, battling evildoers of every stripe and species with the help of his faithful partner and friend Roderick Ratzi.
If you find the idea of animals punching each other, stabbing each other or blasting ten bells out of each other with large calibre guns off-putting or upsetting, maybe this series isn't for you. The Wind in the Willows this ain't: the Grandville books are dark, gritty and surprisingly violent. They're also wildly thrilling and enormous fun. In the latest volume, Bete Noire, LeBrock /not only/ has to stop an army of machine-gun-packing robots, he /also/ has to foil a dastardly capitalist conspiracy to suppress figurative art and replace it with abstract expressionism! For those who notice, these books are stuffed with witty references to other works, other ideas - but never at the expense of a cracking good story. I think these books are terrific. I hope you will too.
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LibraryThing member tapestry100
In a world inhabited by anthropomorphic animals and where France wins the Napoleonic War, Britain falls under French rule until after decades of civil unrest, Britain frees itself from France and becomes the Socialist Republic of Britain. After the murder of a British diplomat that is made to look
Detective-Inspector LeBrock (a badger) is quite clearly modeled at least partially after Sherlock Holmes and his assistant Ratzi (a rat) after Watson. In this alternate history, the world is not only inhabited by animals (and a very few humans, referred to as "doughfaces") but steam technology has progressed to an advanced degree, clearly making this graphic novel Steampunk inspired.
Bryan Talbot's art is dark and gritty and his writing is at turns clever and witty. There has been a second volume released featuring DI LeBrock and I think I would like to check that out at some point. While this is a graphic novel, it can be very violent and adult in nature, so I wouldn't recommend it to a younger audience, but for adults who enjoy a good mystery and aren't turned off by too much violence, I'd say give this a chance.
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like a suicide, Detective-Inspector LeBrock of Scotland Yard and his assistant Detective Ratzi go on a mission to discover the real culprit and uncover a conspiracy that lies far deeper in the French government than anyone could believe.Detective-Inspector LeBrock (a badger) is quite clearly modeled at least partially after Sherlock Holmes and his assistant Ratzi (a rat) after Watson. In this alternate history, the world is not only inhabited by animals (and a very few humans, referred to as "doughfaces") but steam technology has progressed to an advanced degree, clearly making this graphic novel Steampunk inspired.
Bryan Talbot's art is dark and gritty and his writing is at turns clever and witty. There has been a second volume released featuring DI LeBrock and I think I would like to check that out at some point. While this is a graphic novel, it can be very violent and adult in nature, so I wouldn't recommend it to a younger audience, but for adults who enjoy a good mystery and aren't turned off by too much violence, I'd say give this a chance.
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LibraryThing member clfisha
You know the Steampunk drill by now, airships and adventure, conspiracies and corsets. This a hugely fun take on the genre set in an alternative universe where Napoleon won and the UK has just broken away as a terrorist state. Oh and of course our hero is a Badger investigating the murder of a
It is a nice story too and is great at setting up the world for the trilogy(?) and leaving with a world shattering (well European) ending. It also has some nice touches: amongst the anthropomorphic animals are the drudge human slaves "pale faces" and then there’s the odd amusing reference to archaic, unused English. The art of course is lovely, this is Brain Talbot after all, and the giant size hardback makes me deliciously feel like a kid again. All in all good fun.
Recommended to adventure, Steampunk and badger lovers everywhere.
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British spy, unearthing dastardly French plots and falling in love with sexy badger actresses. Chases, explosions, automatons you name it, this tale has it.It is a nice story too and is great at setting up the world for the trilogy(?) and leaving with a world shattering (well European) ending. It also has some nice touches: amongst the anthropomorphic animals are the drudge human slaves "pale faces" and then there’s the odd amusing reference to archaic, unused English. The art of course is lovely, this is Brain Talbot after all, and the giant size hardback makes me deliciously feel like a kid again. All in all good fun.
Recommended to adventure, Steampunk and badger lovers everywhere.
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LibraryThing member Heather123456789
~This book is a must read, and the period of the plot is understandable through the early rivalries between Britain and France. It has continuous gore and adult humour throughout the book, and it grips the reader to make them feel every part of the book is so amazing. The resemblance between
Grandville is about this detective badger who investigates crimes. This particular case that they are investigating is in Britain, where a man is commiting sa suicide. They have to find out the killers, but it may not be as easy as expected.....
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animals and humans are extraordinary, taking into account that each person in the world has a similarity with a particular animal. I am sure that me and you, the person who is reading this, feels that Bryan Talbot is very creative in his style of writing, and I personally praise him for his efforts on this truly great masterpiece in the world of graphic novels. I recommend that you also read the sequel to this; Grandville Mon Amour, because it will be as equally brilliant and likeable as this book, GRANDVILLE!!!Grandville is about this detective badger who investigates crimes. This particular case that they are investigating is in Britain, where a man is commiting sa suicide. They have to find out the killers, but it may not be as easy as expected.....
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LibraryThing member wyvernfriend
In a world where animals rule, two hundred years ago Britain lost the Napoleonic War and like other European countries it's royal family were gillotined. 23 years before England got her independence but there are still issues.
Not least of which is the sudden death of Raymond Leigh-Otter, a death
Not the first Bryan Talbot I've read, this was interesting and touching and rather cool. I liked the characters and the names gave me an occasional giggle.
Not least of which is the sudden death of Raymond Leigh-Otter, a death
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that looks like suicide but Inspector LeBrock of Scotland Yard isn't convinced and his investigation brings him to Grandville, or Paris as we would know it. Dragging him into conspiracy and more dead bodies. A world with steampunk touches and some great artwork.Not the first Bryan Talbot I've read, this was interesting and touching and rather cool. I liked the characters and the names gave me an occasional giggle.
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LibraryThing member wandering_star
This story takes place in Belle Epoque France, but a France which won the Napoleonic Wars and now has an empire which straddles the globe (um, a bit more than the French empire straddled the globe anyway). This means, incidentally, that most of the time people are speaking French, so you get some
Anyway, Britain was a difficult-to-rule colony for almost 200 years, and has grudgingly been given its independence, but a recent dramatic act of terror - an anarchist bombing of an important symbol of France (sound familiar?) - has led to calls for the country to be subdued again. A British detective starts to investigate the mysterious suicide of a secret agent recently returned from France, but what he finds leads him - through a trail of corpses - to the very highest levels of the French regime.
Oh, I should also mention that it's a steampunk Belle Epoque, and that all the characters are animal-headed (except for a few "doughfaces", a menial underclass).
So, it's a lot of fun, and the pictures are fantastic - from the broad views of automaton-ed Paris to the close-ups of an opium-addicted terrier or a terrified chimp. (Or indeed, the copy of the famous picture of Marianne leading the revolutionaries, where Marianne has the head of a chicken.) I didn't like it as much as Alice In Sunderland though because the content is much thinner - you certainly wouldn't read it again for the words. Two other things also reduced my enjoyment of the book: firstly, there's quite a lot of blood and guts (Talbot himself says that Tarantino was an inspiration, along with Conan Doyle, Rupert the Bear, and early science fiction illustrators), and secondly I found the political references a bit inconsistent - France is sort of the US but Lapin, the President, is sort of Tony Blair - but then I don't suppose it's meant to be a detailed satire, more something to raise a scoff of recognition.
Sample sentence: I'm frightened, LeBrock. Last night... last night Sabrina overdosed on laudanum - just like Coco. It was on the lumierescope news.
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lovely backtranslations like "Name of a dog!" and a reference to a dancer at the "Shepherdess Follies".Anyway, Britain was a difficult-to-rule colony for almost 200 years, and has grudgingly been given its independence, but a recent dramatic act of terror - an anarchist bombing of an important symbol of France (sound familiar?) - has led to calls for the country to be subdued again. A British detective starts to investigate the mysterious suicide of a secret agent recently returned from France, but what he finds leads him - through a trail of corpses - to the very highest levels of the French regime.
Oh, I should also mention that it's a steampunk Belle Epoque, and that all the characters are animal-headed (except for a few "doughfaces", a menial underclass).
So, it's a lot of fun, and the pictures are fantastic - from the broad views of automaton-ed Paris to the close-ups of an opium-addicted terrier or a terrified chimp. (Or indeed, the copy of the famous picture of Marianne leading the revolutionaries, where Marianne has the head of a chicken.) I didn't like it as much as Alice In Sunderland though because the content is much thinner - you certainly wouldn't read it again for the words. Two other things also reduced my enjoyment of the book: firstly, there's quite a lot of blood and guts (Talbot himself says that Tarantino was an inspiration, along with Conan Doyle, Rupert the Bear, and early science fiction illustrators), and secondly I found the political references a bit inconsistent - France is sort of the US but Lapin, the President, is sort of Tony Blair - but then I don't suppose it's meant to be a detailed satire, more something to raise a scoff of recognition.
Sample sentence: I'm frightened, LeBrock. Last night... last night Sabrina overdosed on laudanum - just like Coco. It was on the lumierescope news.
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LibraryThing member zenobia158
*spoiler alert* In an alternate history, Brittan is just a small island in France's large empire. A murder of one of Brittan's ambassadors leads to Inspector LeBrock entering the case. An interesting homage to Sherlock Holmes. . . however, I'm pretty sure he never went on a bloodthirsty rampage at
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the end of a case! Show Less
LibraryThing member JonathanGorman
Not bad. Some of the plot points are a little hard to believe and follow. (Like, how does a foreign national manage to do so much damage without triggering all the police forces in an empire.)
In any case though, I like the characters introduced and I'm hoping to see some more in the future. A good
In any case though, I like the characters introduced and I'm hoping to see some more in the future. A good
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steampunky, sci-fi, spy/mystery type setting with a Dupin/Sherlock Holmes type figure with some Bruce Willis thrown in for good measure. Show Less
LibraryThing member Elena123456789
A thrilling comedy about a English badger detective who is rude and brutal. An amazing book by a amazing author. Definately a well worth read.5 stars
LibraryThing member Alex123456789
I think it's really good, it's probably recommended for people who like action and like lots of killing. It's about a badger who is a ID, he tries to solve mysteries but sometimes it ends up in chaos.
LibraryThing member ljbwell
[Grandville] is a visually stunning steampunk graphic novel. Detective-Inspector LeBrock of Scotland Yard arrives in Paris from Great Britain to investigate the apparent suicide, but actual murder, of Raymond Leigh-Otter. His investigation uncovers several more non-suicides as powerful officials
Each of the characters is an animal - LeBrock a badger, Leigh-Otter an Otter, LeBrock's sidekick is Ratzi (a rat), Prime Minister Jean-Marie Lapin (rabbit). In fact, humans are called "doughfaces" and are lower on the evolution scale and not given rights as citizens. There are some quirky references to European comics - Bécassine and Milou/Snowy, for example, make appearances (Milou's being a bit more off-character & disturbing).
I have railed in the past against books that feel the need to have some sort of 9/11 and Iraq War allegory/tie-in/parable. Here again, it was unnecessary; the steampunk, belle époque setting for a fun noirish Scotland Yard-in-Paris crime story was enough. That said, I am willing to overlook it in favor of the absolutely gorgeous graphics and scenes.
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attempt to cover up their past deeds. The book takes place in an alternate history, where Great Britain, after the Napoleonic War, became a part of the French empire and only recently gained independence after civil disobedience and anarchic uprisings.Each of the characters is an animal - LeBrock a badger, Leigh-Otter an Otter, LeBrock's sidekick is Ratzi (a rat), Prime Minister Jean-Marie Lapin (rabbit). In fact, humans are called "doughfaces" and are lower on the evolution scale and not given rights as citizens. There are some quirky references to European comics - Bécassine and Milou/Snowy, for example, make appearances (Milou's being a bit more off-character & disturbing).
I have railed in the past against books that feel the need to have some sort of 9/11 and Iraq War allegory/tie-in/parable. Here again, it was unnecessary; the steampunk, belle époque setting for a fun noirish Scotland Yard-in-Paris crime story was enough. That said, I am willing to overlook it in favor of the absolutely gorgeous graphics and scenes.
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LibraryThing member mysterymax
This is my first graphic novel and I guess the sequel will be my second!
I read this based on the many reviews and comments. At first I didn't really feel comfortable with it but I kept going and I must say I quite enjoyed it. This is an adult spy story - not for children
I read this based on the many reviews and comments. At first I didn't really feel comfortable with it but I kept going and I must say I quite enjoyed it. This is an adult spy story - not for children
LibraryThing member theforestofbooks
I need to read this again and absorb the story in more detail (it’s that sort of tale) before really commenting. For now all I can say is I loved it to bits. Can’t remember reading a book, or in this instance, a graphic novel where I just smiled at the turn of a page. Four stars but may well be
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five after another re-read. Show Less
LibraryThing member Cynara
As a teacher, sometimes I've had projects submitted that were wonderful - but not what was assigned. You're looking at a clockwork goldfish and thinking "this is beautiful and brilliant, but how does it show me that you understand how to structure an essay?"
I had a similar feeling about Grandville.
I like ligne claire art, but I didn't find the frame composition or the texture of the art interesting, though it is very busy. I understand that badgers are really, really cool, but somehow our protagonist lacked charisma, for all Talbot's attempts to persuade me otherwise. The relationships were two-dimensional, and the plot was a very conventional slam-bang affair.
{Edit: also, for all the graphic-design swashbuckling of the cover, I can't help but think it makes Lebrock look cross-eyed. It's very characteristic of my problems with this book.}
I had a similar feeling about Grandville.
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I admire the attention to detail, from the splashy textured cover to the comic book history jokes layered in the text, but it doesn't do what I need a graphic novel to do.I like ligne claire art, but I didn't find the frame composition or the texture of the art interesting, though it is very busy. I understand that badgers are really, really cool, but somehow our protagonist lacked charisma, for all Talbot's attempts to persuade me otherwise. The relationships were two-dimensional, and the plot was a very conventional slam-bang affair.
{Edit: also, for all the graphic-design swashbuckling of the cover, I can't help but think it makes Lebrock look cross-eyed. It's very characteristic of my problems with this book.}
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LibraryThing member freelancer_frank
This is a book about conspiracy. The story and characters tend to run to the cliche. The originality lies in the artwork, visual imagination and the use of animals in the place of people. It is an enjoyable enough read for those who enjoy their badgers on the Tarantino side.
LibraryThing member -Eva-
Detective Inspector LeBrock of Scotland Yard comes across an apparent suicide, which turns out to be the work of a ruthless murder squad. This is a steampunk mystery with a twist; the main characters are all anthropomorphized animals. The story is complex and the alternative history setting is
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interesting, but it would have been great if the story had been much longer so that I had time to get really invested in the world properly. I also had a little bit of a problem with the anthropomorphized animals, not because they're animals, but rather the opposite: they're too human. Basically, they look like regular humans with animal heads. I'm not completely enamored with the result, but absolutely intrigued enough that I'll be looking into the other installments in this series. Show Less
LibraryThing member Glennis.LeBlanc
I'm reading these out of order since I read the third collection for the Hugo ballot and this one is now the first one. Gave me lots of back history to the third volume but was a great story in itself. If you like steampunk, Sherlock Holmes riffs and/or anthropomorphic animals then this is a great
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story for you. The art is as good as the story and now I will need to track down the second volume and keep my eyes peeled for more set in this universe. Show Less
LibraryThing member Unkletom
I'm not usually that big on anthropomorphic characters but the magnificent artwork, dynamic steampunk setting and action-packed plot totally sucked me in. If you like subversive plots like [book:V for Vendetta|5805], you should appreciate Grandville. I even forgave the talking animals when I read
Hint: Check with your local library to see if they have access to Hoopla digital content.
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the line "Badgers? We don' need no steenkin' badgers." I'll definitely be reading more of these. Hint: Check with your local library to see if they have access to Hoopla digital content.
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LibraryThing member JillKenna
I absolutely loved this book. The characters are so awesome and very well drawn. I would very much like to read the other four books.
LibraryThing member Ma_Washigeri
3 and a half stars - have actually read a few of these and enjoyed them but I think this first one can stand in for the series. Enjoyed the artwork and the wit and references/homages that I noticed (I'm sure there were many more that passed me by) and reading it during the farce of the Brexit
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negotiations gives it extra emphasis, given that it was written in 2009 and covers events just after Britain won independance from France! Show Less
LibraryThing member Ma_Washigeri
3 and a half stars - have actually read a few of these and enjoyed them but I think this first one can stand in for the series. Enjoyed the artwork and the wit and references/homages that I noticed (I'm sure there were many more that passed me by) and reading it during the farce of the Brexit
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negotiations gives it extra emphasis, given that it was written in 2009 and covers events just after Britain won independance from France! Show Less
Awards
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2009-10-15
Physical description
104 p.; 11.89 inches
ISBN
0224084887 / 9780224084888
Local notes
Inspired by the work of the nineteenth-century French illustrator Gérard, who worked under the pseudonym ‘Grandville’ and frequently drew anthropomorphic animal characters, it tells the story of detective Inspector LeBrock of Scotland Yard as he stalks a gang of murderers through the heart of Belle Epoque Paris. In this alternative reality France is the major world power and its capital is thronged with steam-driven hansom cabs, automatons and flying machines.