Book Reviews Of The Month – The Sky Over the Louvre

The Sky Over the Louvre
Comics Lit
Written by Jean-Claude Carriere
Art by Bernar Yslaire

One of my goals in my life is to go to the Louvre in Paris. I enjoy going to museums and seeing the art and either trying to understand it, understand the artists (though some may freak me out) or be taken back to the time in the painting. One of my favorite memories I have of my late aunt is arguing with her over Basic Art (it’s a dern box with a plank in it!). Now I just finished reading The Sky Over the Louvre and it’s not your traditional graphic novel. This is one that was written as history, not fantasy.

The story has an introduction three years before the end of the French Revolution and then jumps to the end for the next chapter. The story focuses on the artists and art that came out during this time. The writing was in English but still had enough French feel and accent to the characters. Each character has their own personality and sound, something I know I keep mentioning but it is important. The art was gritty and had a dark. Matching the times that were going on in what was being depicted.

This is another book that really wasn’t for me. Now, if I was more into French history or the art from that time, I may have understood and enjoyed this more. I definitely could tell that I was not the intended audience for this as I read. Now, there are graphic novels and comics that tell of a historical event and they are really well done. But, again, this one was not for me. In my humble opinion, if you like French art (which they show in this book), French history or want some more information on the French Revolution, you might enjoy this. Most of the rest of you, may not. I give it 2.5 caps out of 5.