Author: Penelope Bagieu
Publisher: First Second
Publication Date: May 5, 2015
ISBN-13: 978-1626720824
128 pp.
ARC provided via NetGalley
Fun fact: "Exquisite Corpse" was a game invented by Surrealists where a piece (of art, of literature) was constructed by each participant adding to what the earlier participant had created.
This French import by graphic novelist Penelope Bagieu plays with that conceit in Exquisite Corpse. Zoe is a "booth babe" with a ne'er-do-well boyfriend and no real direction in life. Then she has a chance encounter with famous author, Thomas Rocher.
Except she doesn't recognize Thomas as a famous author. And she certainly doesn't know that Thomas is supposed to be dead. All she knows is that she's met a lonely, kind of weird guy who treats her so much better than she's used to. But when she finds out the truth, everything about their relationship changes.
I absolutely loved the illustrations. Zoe is adorable. Color choices in each panel perfectly reflect mood and character.
The story, however, was a disappointing in the end. I don't want to give away the twist, but it was a "been there, done that" moment for me. I was waiting for another twist to elevate to something special, but no, that was it.
If you're looking for a quick read with great art, then give Exquisite Corpse a try. If you're looking for a story that's a little meatier, then look elsewhere.
Good graphic novel with well-developed characters and cute, cartoony art.
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