The Rose Unpinned – "You are a defeated people. Be courteous to the occupier"

A portrayal of Madeleine Riffaud's youth in the Resistance.

I’m prepared to face criticism from all quarters because I didn’t particularly enjoy this story of a Resistance fighter. Instead of focusing on the movement itself, we learn more about romantic trivialities in the sanatorium despite the 124 pages, which is rare for a graphic novel. However, I was genuinely captivated by the bluish hues in the illustrations, which convey a sense of coldness.

The Red Duvet – "Mireille says to Jojo that the shark jar is in the pool"

“I would have much preferred to die in battle than in a bed.”
“It’s thrilling the way I’m telling it, but don’t forget we were risking our lives.”
“He has his plaque at 32 Quai Henri IV… Fat lot of good it does him.”

The continuation of the story of Madeleine Riffaud, a key figure of World War II.

At last, we get what I was expecting from a graphic novel of this caliber: detailed and educational depictions of the Resistance’s maneuvers. No longer do we dwell so much on the romantic wanderings that I found highly disruptive. The narrative is much more dynamic, as it shifts away from the heroine’s love life to delve into the operations against Nazism. The aphorisms come so thick and fast that I couldn’t resist sharing more than one. In short, the second volume of this trilogy marks a triumphant return to the annals of historical graphic novels.

Tomato Noodles – "If I’m lucky enough to survive, I’ll tell everything"

Madeleine was arrested after shooting a Nazi officer.

This Resistance fighter is a paradigm of resilience and selflessness. She even declares outright that she was never tortured, yet the various abuses inflicted on her during brutal interrogations and her wretched captivity in Vichy and Nazi prisons strongly resemble torture. This graphic novel invites reflection on how an ordinary, frail woman barely twenty years old becomes a formidable fighter with remarkable tenacity. The bluish tones in the illustrations immerse the reader in the atmosphere and convey raw reality. In short, it’s an essential reminiscence. It’s worth noting that Madeleine Riffaud, the storyteller of this remarkable tale, passed away on November 6th. The trilogy Madeleine, Résistante deserves to be urgently explored, even though I still have reservations about the first volume.