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themattacaster's review
funny
informative
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
tefcortesch's review
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
4.75
nwhyte's review
5.0
https://nwhyte.livejournal.com/3053580.html
This is a brilliant comic book about being at the sharp edge of diplomacy. Arthur Vlaminck is plucked from his almost-completed PhD to become speech-writer for the French Foreign Minister (the original title of the series is Quai d'Orsay, the location of the foreign ministry in Paris). The set-up is a very thinly disguised version of the 2002-04 period when the (barely pseudonymous) author was in fact speech-writer to the then French foreign minister Dominique de Villepin. There are a couple of characters who I think I recognise from their real-life counterparts.
The fictional Alexandre Taillard de Vorms is a monstrous figure, convinced of his own greatness (and convincing to those around him as well), and perpetually reaching for meaningless phrases from ancient Greek philosophers to buttress his jumbled but passionate rhetoric. Vlaminck must rewrite every speech at least twice in response to ministerial whim, and the rest of his life gets put on hold. My sense is that de Villepin is much less monstrous, but I have met enough people of that seniority to recognise that Taillard de Vorms is a credible amalgam of the extremes of personality who gravitate to the political top. And even putting that aside, the depiction of a group of different individuals, including both bureaucrats and political appointees, reacting to crisis after crisis (sometimes self-inflicted) is very realistic. The drumbeat of politics is leavened by references to Tolkien, Star Wars and Metallica, and the whole thing is carried off very well. I am recommending it to senior diplomatic contacts.
This is a brilliant comic book about being at the sharp edge of diplomacy. Arthur Vlaminck is plucked from his almost-completed PhD to become speech-writer for the French Foreign Minister (the original title of the series is Quai d'Orsay, the location of the foreign ministry in Paris). The set-up is a very thinly disguised version of the 2002-04 period when the (barely pseudonymous) author was in fact speech-writer to the then French foreign minister Dominique de Villepin. There are a couple of characters who I think I recognise from their real-life counterparts.
The fictional Alexandre Taillard de Vorms is a monstrous figure, convinced of his own greatness (and convincing to those around him as well), and perpetually reaching for meaningless phrases from ancient Greek philosophers to buttress his jumbled but passionate rhetoric. Vlaminck must rewrite every speech at least twice in response to ministerial whim, and the rest of his life gets put on hold. My sense is that de Villepin is much less monstrous, but I have met enough people of that seniority to recognise that Taillard de Vorms is a credible amalgam of the extremes of personality who gravitate to the political top. And even putting that aside, the depiction of a group of different individuals, including both bureaucrats and political appointees, reacting to crisis after crisis (sometimes self-inflicted) is very realistic. The drumbeat of politics is leavened by references to Tolkien, Star Wars and Metallica, and the whole thing is carried off very well. I am recommending it to senior diplomatic contacts.
emmkayt's review
4.0
Thinly veiled fictional graphic novel about the lead-up to the first US invasion of Iraq, from the perspective of a young speechwriter for the French foreign minister. A witty insider look at diplomatic to-ing and fro-ing, all-nighters that still lead to one’s work product being tossed on a whim, jockeying for status among civil servants, and so on. In some ways, so many self-important tempests in teacups, but with very real and important consequences, in this case whether France would go to war.
Also, a notably male story, in a French way - there’s the protagonist’s long-suffering girlfriend, and there’s a single female senior civil servant whose main contribution seems to be to advocate for a ‘sensual’ approach to diplomacy.
Also, a notably male story, in a French way - there’s the protagonist’s long-suffering girlfriend, and there’s a single female senior civil servant whose main contribution seems to be to advocate for a ‘sensual’ approach to diplomacy.
saif42's review
4.0
Do you like politics? Doublespeak? A comic strip art style? This book is for you. Featuring the diligent protagonist Vlaminck who has to navigate the world of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a world ruled by PM Taillard, a larger than life character who dominates every scene he's in. The story draws parallels between the US invasion of Iraq and fictional Khemed and the tightrope French diplomats must walk while trying to maintain the balance of power and keep the peace in the world.
Apparently this work is translated, I honestly couldn't tell. The writing was slick and the references were universal so it didn't appear feel like a 'foreign' book to me, rather the POV was the only foreign thing about it.
I wholeheartedly recommend it.
Apparently this work is translated, I honestly couldn't tell. The writing was slick and the references were universal so it didn't appear feel like a 'foreign' book to me, rather the POV was the only foreign thing about it.
I wholeheartedly recommend it.
hyfen's review
4.0
When I randomly ordered this from the library a few weeks ago, I had no idea a book about the Iraq War would be relevant to our current times
hpgodwin's review
3.0
Written by Antonin Baudry (pen name Abel), a former writer for the former French Foreign Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin. Fictionalizes his experience in the wake of 9/11 as Arthur Vlaminck speechwriter for the French Foreign Minister Alexandre Taillard de Vorms.
Mostly centered around the creation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1441 and growing international crisis in the Middle East that eventually leads to the invasion of Iraq, known as Khemed in the novel, which was opposed by France and Germany.
Overall, I found parts of the story hard to stay with because I was bored and some parts I couldn't stop consuming.
Parts of the story did feel like reading an episode of West Wing and then there were whole parts that just dragged on and on.
I enjoyed the comparisons made between Alexandre & Darth Vader.
Arthur is very relatable even if I've never had a job as a speech writer.
That job that you take because the boss makes you feel like you'll do great things!
That job you feel like an outsider till you've really contributed.
That job you set aside family and relationships to make a priority.
That job you took a vacation from only to come back and find yourself on the outs.
I'm giving it 3/5 because I hope to never read this again though I did enjoy it and learned a good bit.
Interview with Antonin:
What happened was that Dominique de Villepin was looking for young people from different universes to write for him. He heard through a mutual friend that I had done master’s theses in math and literature, and he wanted to meet me. I totally panicked. I said to my friend, Why did you do this to me? I had to buy a suit. The minister received me at the Quai D’Orsay, and it was just like being hypnotized. He explained a lot of things to me and everything seemed clear, and then when I left, I couldn’t remember a thing. And there was this time pressure. He said I had to answer within twenty-four hours because we were possibly on the eve of a Third World War. I was twenty-six, and I thought, Why not?
Mostly centered around the creation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1441 and growing international crisis in the Middle East that eventually leads to the invasion of Iraq, known as Khemed in the novel, which was opposed by France and Germany.
Overall, I found parts of the story hard to stay with because I was bored and some parts I couldn't stop consuming.
Parts of the story did feel like reading an episode of West Wing and then there were whole parts that just dragged on and on.
I enjoyed the comparisons made between Alexandre & Darth Vader.
Arthur is very relatable even if I've never had a job as a speech writer.
That job that you take because the boss makes you feel like you'll do great things!
That job you feel like an outsider till you've really contributed.
That job you set aside family and relationships to make a priority.
That job you took a vacation from only to come back and find yourself on the outs.
I'm giving it 3/5 because I hope to never read this again though I did enjoy it and learned a good bit.
Interview with Antonin:
What happened was that Dominique de Villepin was looking for young people from different universes to write for him. He heard through a mutual friend that I had done master’s theses in math and literature, and he wanted to meet me. I totally panicked. I said to my friend, Why did you do this to me? I had to buy a suit. The minister received me at the Quai D’Orsay, and it was just like being hypnotized. He explained a lot of things to me and everything seemed clear, and then when I left, I couldn’t remember a thing. And there was this time pressure. He said I had to answer within twenty-four hours because we were possibly on the eve of a Third World War. I was twenty-six, and I thought, Why not?
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