Ballad for Sophie

Ballad for Sophie is a cute graphic novel about a fictional French pianist Julian DuBois. Born in the late 1920s Julian, the heir of a wealthy family, meets Francois Samson, a janitor's son, at a piano contest in Cressy-la-Valoise. Julian wins because his mother bribed the judges but Julian knows that Francois was a better player. It bothers him his whole life. Julian has phenomenal success and is adored in France, selling many records and playing to sold out crowds. He even meets Francois' wife and has an intimate affair with her. The plot then moves to 1997 with an old and bitter Julian meeting a journalist from Le Monde named Adeline Jourdain who wants to interview him. She arrives at his home, a huge mansion that he inherited from his mother, and prods him to talk about his life.  He begins to tell his story but when she reveals that she is Francois' daughter, Julian composes his first score, a ballad for her.

I enjoyed the book but it was a little boring in the middle. It was a beautiful story, though, and quickly picked up when Julian began to understand his accomplishments, failures and how to behave as a good person. The characters were fully developed which gave the story depth. It was a fun read that transported me to France in my comfy chair and I highly recommend for anyone who wants to relax for a while and forget the present.

4 out of 5 stars.