Exquisite Corpse by Pénélope Bagieu | Book Review

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Zoe isn't exactly the intellectual type, which is why she doesn't recognize world-famous author Thomas Rocher when she stumbles into his apartment...and into his life. It's also why she doesn't know that Rocher is supposed to be dead.Turns out, Rocher faked his death years ago to escape his critics, and has been making a killing releasing his new work as "lost manuscripts," in cahoots with his editor/ex-wife Agathe. Neither of them would have invited a crass party girl like Zoe into their literary conspiracy of two, but now that she's there anyway. . . .Zoe doesn't know Balzac from Batman, but she's going to have to wise up fast... because she's sitting on the literary scandal of the century!

Why Did I Read This Graphic Novel?

God’s honest truth – because an email asked me to. But more seriously, I picked up Exquisite Corpse by Penelope Bagieu because the summary made it seem like it would be a light and fun sort of read. Lately I’ve been consuming books with heavier themes and so, I wanted something completely fun – enter this graphic novel. Also! I am the kind of person where if I don’t read a graphic novel for awhile, I get the itch to read one and well, this book totally scratches that itch. Also? I do not read nearly enough translated books either.

What’s The Story Here?

Main character Zoe is a 22 year old booth babe. Yes, that’s really her job. She essentially models at conventions and gets hit on by gross dudes all day while trying to make product look good. She comes home to a boyfriend who might as well be a cave man, as he lacks manners. The premise of Penelope Bagieu’s Exquisite Corpse is that one day after leaving work, Zoe stumbles into infamous author Thomas Rocher’s apartment. To Zoe, this isn’t a big deal, he’s just some guy he’s just some author. Only, he’s cultured and she likes him quite a bit. However, Zoe has uncovered the literary scandal of the century. You see, Rocher has faked his own death just to sell his books. Every year, his ex-wife and editor publishes a manuscript that was unearthed by the Rocher estate. Only, Rocher is still writing books and that’s what those manuscripts are. Zoe has no idea what’s going on because she isn’t a reader. She’s about to wise up real quick though.

How’s The Art?

Exquisite Corpse is illustrated by Bagieu, I think. Okay, just confirmed with a quick google search. As I do not know jack about art, but I know what I like I will tell you that I liked the art in this book. It’s fully color and the colors are sort of muted. The art isn’t angular like manga, but the lines are clean and smooth. I thought that the graphics matched the story quite well. It was as expected and enjoyable to read.

What Did I Ultimately Think Of This Book?

So, if you have read other reviews of Penelope Bagieu’s Exquisite Corpse you may have parsed out by now that there is a plot twist. I did not read any of those reviews coming in, so sorry to spoil it for you all, but there is a huge unexpected plot twist. I loved it. I loved that I could not predict that direction for the book at all.

Beyond the plot twist, this is a really quick graphic novel to read. It took me under an hour to get through and I honestly have zero complaints.

Who Should Read Exquisite Corpse?

• People who are down for girl power
• People who like contemporary themed graphic novels
• Fans of translated books
• Anyone tired of being able to predict everything that’s going to happen in the book from the first page.

Sum It Up With A GIF:

Hahhaha, this GIF, WHAT A TWIST.

Thanks to First Second, I have a copy of Exquisite Corpse to give away to one lucky winner. US only. Must be 13 or older to win. Use the rafflecopter. Here’s my privacy policy.

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April (Books&Wine)

April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.

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