Library Journal Review
Leave it to French cartoonist Chabouté (Alone) to turn an idea as seemingly dull as the biography of a simple park bench into a remarkable and unexpectedly moving exploration of humanity and a meditation on everything that either connects us or drives us apart. Spanning decades and featuring a huge cast of regular park patrons, the titular seating is ignored by some and seen as a regular feature by others, a place for friends and lovers to rendezvous, a spot where the brokenhearted can reflect, a hangout for rowdy teens and vagrants. Eschewing dialog in favor of allowing his wonderfully expressive black-and-white illustration to carry the story, Chabouté utilizes repetition to establish the routines that reveal his characters' hopes and dreams as he propels them through missed connections, chance encounters, and cunning visual gags. While some of the character arcs here might be a tad predictable, the clever juxtaposition of lives hinging on a humble bench, technical skill, and the passion the author brings to the work more than make up for it. VERDICT Another stunning achievement from an author who seems to produce only stunning achievements.-TB © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.