Memoirs of a Book Thief

This psychologically astute comic perfectly captures the posturing, desperation, and nonsense of the highbrow poetry scene of Paris in the 1950s. Daniel Brodin is a law student, an aspiring writer, and a thief. In an effort to impress a girl, he recites a poem from a book he’s stolen in front of a crowd of literary elite. His plagiarism is hailed as newly discovered genius. The same day, his shoplifting lands him literally at the feet (after being chased by a shop owner) of a group of disaffected criminal youth, led by Gilles, a charismatic anarchist, and Jean-Michel, a bisexual thug. They call themselves artists but spend the majority of their time smoking, drinking, and loudly decrying the capitalist drudgery of day jobs. Together, they crash a Paul Valéry Society event, and soon Daniel gets swept up into the goofy group’s high-flying robbery plans, heedless of the inevitable crash. Van Hove’s scratchy linework is full of character and detail; the shopfronts, cafes, and back alleys of Paris are lovingly rendered. Tota’s dialogue is crisp and pointed, equally a mockery of and an ode to the squabbles and obsessions of the era. Behind the narrative of Daniel’s hapless descent looms larger questions about art, value, and authenticity. This is a delightful graphic novel for artists seriously questioning themselves and anyone questioning “serious” art. [em](Apr.) [/em]