The story of Joseph Joanovici, based on a real Romanian Jew who made a fortune as a scrap-metal magnate, is morally complex. Some saw Joanovici as a hero for the lives he saved on behalf of the French Resistance, while others refuse to believe his friendliness with the Nazis was entirely altruistic. Written by Fabien Nury (The Death of Stalin) and rendered in intense, lavish detail by illustrator Sylvain Vallée, this omnibus edition collects the entire run of the comic series that was originally published in French.
Once Upon a Time in France is presented here in faithful translation by Ivanka Hahnenberger, who manages her feat without sacrificing one iota of this narrative's rich historical tension. Readers journey with Joanovici as he immigrates to France and starts a family after discovering his knack for sorting and accurately valuing scrap metal. Ultimately, Joanovici finds himself thrust into the middle of World War II amid a sea of impossible choices that will have profound ramifications. Nury's shifting narrative never lags as it jumps across Joanovici's timeline to contrast his decisions with their eventual repercussions. A fascinating hybrid of war history, biography and true crime, Once Upon a Time in France is a must-read for graphic novel fans as well as a compelling and artfully imagined story that will likely resonate with readers of all stripes. --Zack Ruskin, freelance reviewer