Liberated

July 17, 2023
In striking first-person prose, debut creator Rowe chronicles the life of French and Jewish surrealist Claude Cahun (1894–1954)—specifically the gender-fluid artist’s pursuit of autonomy while living in a society where “identity is formed... by a world of men.” Evocative b&w illustrations with lavender accents render Cahun’s experiences being raised by a mother who “struggled with her mental health and held deep-rooted antisemitism in her heart.” Quickly moving graphic novel panels detail Cahun’s adolescent years spent with their paternal grandmother, who educated Cahun about their Jewish heritage, an act that Cahun credits with influencing their chosen name. After meeting their partner Marcel Moore (1892–1972) in 1908, the two settled in Paris, where they collaborated on artistic pursuits that challenged gender binaries. Following the outbreak of WWII, the couple relocated to the island of Jersey, where they created pamphlets denouncing Hitler. Via sensitively wrought dialogue—some of which was lifted from the subject’s own writings—Rowe presents a fascinating portrayal of a figure who directly opposed external expectations and carved a place for themselves within their restrictive upbringing. Archival photos of and taken by Cahun add a historical flair to this contemporary-feeling work. Ages 13–up.

September 1, 2023

This moody graphic novel chronicles the life, art, and anti-fascist activism of Claude Cahun, who was born as Lucy Schwob. Cahun's name change was an act of resistance on two levels, as it not only presented as masculine but was a purposeful shift to an undeniably Jewish identity. In 1920s Paris, Cahun rose to prominence as a surrealist photographer, alongside their lifelong love, Marcel Moore, also called Suzanne Malherbe. Cahun's art, peppered throughout, was known for exploring gender identity beyond the realm of social constraints. As fascism and antisemitism's grasp on Europe became increasingly aggressive in the 1930s, Cahun and Moore used art as a tool of opposition. In fact, their boldest campaign occurred on the island of Jersey during its Nazi occupation. Cahun and Moore utilized covert and innovative methods to undermine the German soldiers, though this ultimately had dire consequences for both. Rowe's dreamy gray-lavender illustrations and depictions of tempestuous water levels convey both the beauty and despair of these artists' lives. VERDICT Rowe's biography portrays a triumph of queer and Jewish resistance in the face of fascism and stands as a tribute to the love that surrounded the lives of Cahun and Moore, not just for each other but for humanity.--Ingrid Conley-Abrams

Copyright 2023 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2023
A graphic biography of a queer Jewish writer and artist. Born in France in 1894, a time of intense anti-Jewish sentiment, Lucy Schwob felt different--and not just for physically taking after their Jewish father's side of the family and having an institutionalized mother. Sent to England for boarding school, Lucy got an education typically reserved for boys. When Lucy met Suzanne Malherbe, the two young people fell in love and began a lifetime of artistic collaboration. In 1914, they published a book under their new names, Claude Cahun and Marcel Moore. The couple used art to challenge social norms and explore gender presentation and expression. In 1937, they moved to Jersey, hoping for a quieter life, but when German troops occupied the island, they were faced with a choice: cooperate or resist. They used their writing talents to spread subversive messages and stoke discontent among the German soldiers. A powerful representation of gender diversity and queerness in history, this graphic biography serves as a reminder that LGBTQ+ folks have always existed ("Masculine? Feminine? It depends on the situation. Neuter is the only gender that always suits me") and that as long as there's been oppression, there has been resistance. Illustrations in black, white, and periwinkle inspired by the artists' work imbue the story with whimsy and dreaminess and cleverly incorporate photos of them and their art. An uplifting portrayal of the beauty of diversity and courage in the face of oppression. (timeline, author's note, bibliography, photo credits) (Graphic biography. 13-18)

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