Filipe Melo

A young journalist prompts a reclusive piano superstar to open up, resulting in this stunning graphic sonata exploring a lifetime of rivalry, regret, and redemption. 1933. In the small French village of Cressy-la-Valoise, a local piano contest brings together two brilliant young players: Julien Dubois, the privileged heir of a wealthy family, and François Samson, the janitor's son. One wins, one loses, and both are changed forever. 1997. In a huge mansion stained with cigarette smoke and memories, a bitter old man is shaken by the unexpected visit of an interviewer. Somewhere between reality and fantasy, Julien composes, like in a musical score, a complex and moving story about the cost of success, rivalry, redemption, and flying pianos. When all is said and done, did anyone ever truly win? And is there any music left to play?

Ballad for Sophie

A young journalist prompts a reclusive piano superstar to open up, resulting in this stunning graphic sonata exploring a lifetime of rivalry, regret, and redemption. 1933. In the small French village of Cressy-la-Valoise, a local piano contest brings together two brilliant young players: Julien Dubois, the privileged heir of a wealthy family, and François Samson, the janitor’s son. One wins, one loses, and both are changed forever. 1997. In a huge mansion stained with cigarette smoke and memories, a bitter old man is shaken by the unexpected visit of an interviewer. Somewhere between reality and fantasy, Julien composes, like in a musical score, a complex and moving story about the cost of success, rivalry, redemption, and flying pianos. When all is said and done, did anyone ever truly win? And is there any music left to play?

Inês Alegria Ferreira

I wish I had this book for me so freaking badly! This is a complete masterpiece. Since I started liking more graphic novels I became more aware of what kind of illustrations do I actually enjoy looking at. Just like sometimes we judge a book by its cover I definitely judge a graphic novel by its graphics. Sometimes I'll give it the benefit of the doubt because although I may not particularly love the drawings it may make sense when paired with the story. These graphics and the overall aesthetic of the book captivated me right away. Little did I know the story, although amazing, would be so freaking sad. I feel like I hadn't had my heart broken like that in so long. Seriously, I rarely feel any overwhelming emotions with either books or movies/series. Who should have thought that I would get so emotionally attached to such a short story and with such cute and colorful drawings? Not only does it has super flawed and interesting characters it has a bunch of dark themes that only get worse as the plot progresses. Plus it caught me off guard multiple times, I never knew what was going to happen. Beautiful and clever both in writing and in illustrations.

Connie Meade

An awesome book with a great story and even better artwork. The artwork is so well done that I didn’t even feel like I was reading a book, but watching an animated film. 

Ballad for Sophie

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