With John the Fearless (Atelier Baie), the stated goal of Frank Vriens (Franciscus Vriens, his pen name), graphic designer and illustrator, is to give his recipe to children so as not to be afraid of the virus. During the book signing session, during the pleasant chat with the artist, who has been living in Génolhac for three years, we are quickly convinced that the delicious little book should also be read by adults.
It’s a delicate little gem of a return to the old childhood fears that haunted everyone’s childhood. Fears that never reach its hero, Jean sans peur! We admire the atmospheres of each page with its total simplicity of reading. We also hypnotically rummage through each horrific universe. We enjoy entering the skin of Jean sans peur’s four-legged sidekick to nevertheless express doubts. And of course, the virus comes along!
Frank Vriens then begins the process of creating his antivirus recipe. It is magnificent in its tenderness! It is a truly humanist look at the subject.
The cartoonist presented a sensitive part of his art with this small work sold at a more than reasonable price (€6). And village privilege, we can meet our man very often in the village that he adores and who spontaneously declares: “I’m staying here. It’s so beautiful, I have the train and an active village life. I’m settling down after having travelled so much…” We appreciate the artist, who is of Dutch origin, all the more.
And Cécile Hernandez, the owner of the tobacco-press bookstore, obviously agrees. To read and have children and grandchildren read.
