Pretty harrowing tale. I can only imagine the utter psychological torture this man went through. The graphic novel does a good job making visual the tedium, repetition, and feelings of hopelessness. He was very brave, beyond what I can even conceptualize. ( )

Cette bande dessinée est un vrai coup de force ! Il ne s’y passe rien, page après page on revit le même jour absurde. Et pourtant, elle est impossible à reposer.
S’enfuir : récit d’un otage de Guy Delisle

Christophe André faisait partie de M.S.F lorsqu’il a été pris en otage en Tchétchénie en 1977. Cet album relate sa captivité.

Un huis clos dans plusieurs lieux successifs. Seul dans une chambre. Menotté, au radiateur, au lit, à un anneau au sol. Seul avec un geôlier venant le nourrir deux fois par jour. Seul

L’histoire d’une captivité arbitraire, sans savoir, sans information, sans perspective, seul ( )

It's huge, and most of its pages are repetitive, yet I was never bored with Hostage. The gray color palette and repetition work well to make the reader really feel the boredom and isolation hostage Christophe Andre felt. I was surprised by the anti-climactic resolution.

Full review on Goodreads. ( )

Hostage is a graphic memoir detailing the kidnapping of Christophe Andre and the events surrounding what happened afterwards. He told his story to author and illustrator, Guy Delisle. Christophe was kidnapped and held hostage while working with NGO Doctors Without Borders. While the storytelling is a bit sparse, I was no less anxious as the story developed and his situation continued month after month. A student recommended this one to me, and I'll be recommending it in the future! ( )

Guy Delisle makes this a thrilling read, despite nothing happening for a lot of the book. Literal tears in my eyes by the end of it. ( )