BL Reading List: Gerard & Jacques Volumes 1 & 2
US Title: Gerard and Jacques Volumes 1 & 2
Original Title:
Author: Fumi Yoshinaga
Translation by: ??
Published by: Blu
ISBN Volume 1: 1-59816-541-0
ISBN Volume 2: 1-59816-542-9
I’ve started a new strategy with books that I think will be angsty or go on and on before a couple gets together. I will at least try to collect the how series before starting to read it (which is why I haven’t started Blue Morning) so that I can go from beginning to end. I don’t read to get depressed or to feel crappy, I read to have fun, be touched or moved in a certain way. I read romances to buy into the fantasy that people can find true love and live happily ever after. If I want to read about cheating or people who can’t get over their previous lover (in an unhealthy way), or abuse, I can just stay in the real world.
If I had not followed this strategy and not had Vol. 2 on hand, I would have never read Vol. 2 of Gerard and Jacques and would have sold Vol. 1 after reading it because of the initial rape of Jacques, and because I hate stories where one of the couple has to witness the other having sex all the time. In fact, I was wondering why this series got such great reviews when it was so unsatisfying. However, because I had Vol. 2, and the author gave an emotional payoff in the beginning of the volume (Gerard suffering while Jacques is visiting his mother), I was able to stick it through to the big payoff in the end.
I had never read anything by this mangaka before so I had no history with her art or storytelling. Her art style is unusual, but not distracting. I imagine that it was difficult to draw Gerard’s scar consistently over and over again, but also noticed that his profile shots were usually the side without the scar.
I enjoyed volume 2 and my favorite part was Gerard’s confession. It was so heartfelt and emotional, and his willingness to sacrifice himself for Jacques was moving. Jacques’s response was equally touching and he also showed his willingness to sacrifice himself for the man he loves. With both of these men being selfless during life or death moment, it’s easy to imagine a happily ever after for them.
Strengths: The emotional availability of Gerard at the end after being bitter so long after being so hurt by his former wife. The declarations of love between the two men while under life-altering stress.
Commentary: I don’t like a messy ending and would have like to have seen a solid finish instead of character headshots. I’m sappy so I would have liked a hug or kiss. Also, I didn’t think Gerard’s rape was necessary to the storyline. It didn’t serve any purpose because the rapist had already betrayed Gerard in so many other brutal ways.
Original Title:
Author: Fumi Yoshinaga
Translation by: ??
Published by: Blu
ISBN Volume 1: 1-59816-541-0
ISBN Volume 2: 1-59816-542-9
I’ve started a new strategy with books that I think will be angsty or go on and on before a couple gets together. I will at least try to collect the how series before starting to read it (which is why I haven’t started Blue Morning) so that I can go from beginning to end. I don’t read to get depressed or to feel crappy, I read to have fun, be touched or moved in a certain way. I read romances to buy into the fantasy that people can find true love and live happily ever after. If I want to read about cheating or people who can’t get over their previous lover (in an unhealthy way), or abuse, I can just stay in the real world.
If I had not followed this strategy and not had Vol. 2 on hand, I would have never read Vol. 2 of Gerard and Jacques and would have sold Vol. 1 after reading it because of the initial rape of Jacques, and because I hate stories where one of the couple has to witness the other having sex all the time. In fact, I was wondering why this series got such great reviews when it was so unsatisfying. However, because I had Vol. 2, and the author gave an emotional payoff in the beginning of the volume (Gerard suffering while Jacques is visiting his mother), I was able to stick it through to the big payoff in the end.
I had never read anything by this mangaka before so I had no history with her art or storytelling. Her art style is unusual, but not distracting. I imagine that it was difficult to draw Gerard’s scar consistently over and over again, but also noticed that his profile shots were usually the side without the scar.
I enjoyed volume 2 and my favorite part was Gerard’s confession. It was so heartfelt and emotional, and his willingness to sacrifice himself for Jacques was moving. Jacques’s response was equally touching and he also showed his willingness to sacrifice himself for the man he loves. With both of these men being selfless during life or death moment, it’s easy to imagine a happily ever after for them.
Strengths: The emotional availability of Gerard at the end after being bitter so long after being so hurt by his former wife. The declarations of love between the two men while under life-altering stress.
Commentary: I don’t like a messy ending and would have like to have seen a solid finish instead of character headshots. I’m sappy so I would have liked a hug or kiss. Also, I didn’t think Gerard’s rape was necessary to the storyline. It didn’t serve any purpose because the rapist had already betrayed Gerard in so many other brutal ways.