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Always Never
Not all love stories are made equally. Some take decades to blossom, seeming almost to go in reverse. Such is the case for Zeno, a 60-year-old PhD student and nomad bookshop owner, and Ana, a freshly retired mayor, mother, and wife. After years of popping in and out of each other’s lives, crossing paths but never quite able to grab hold, their impossible but unshakable love may just have one last chance to flourish, before the final curtain...
152 pages, ebook
First published September 25, 2020
114 people are currently reading
5713 people want to read
About the author
Jordi Lafebre
33books188followersJordi Lafebre (born 1979) is a Spanish illustrator and comic book artist active in the Franco-Belgian market.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,458 reviews
February 6, 2024
A moving story about love and longing across a lifetime, Always Never by Jordi Lafebre is a gorgeous graphic novel where the erosion of time is stripped away to let love in.
Lovers across time
Zeno and Ana have spent their lives orbiting one another in a bittersweet dance that never aligns their hearts together but keeps them yearning and dreaming for one another. The story is told through outstanding and whimsical artwork and moves backwards through their live—not unlike the film —with each new chapter preceding the last on a timeline returning us to the origin of their first connection. Time is practically a character, pushed in reverse as we unravel the culminations of their lives as paths cross and recross in a backwards waltz of muted passion rivaled by commitment to duty and family. It is a bittersweet story, kept upbeat by the format making each reveal a bit more charming while also coming loaded down with an added emotional weight in the irony of knowing what is to come as the characters greet each page with an eye to the future and an unshakable desire for each other despite the uncertain grounds of love on which they stand. Anyone who has ever had a late night phone call with a long-lost love or wondered if your paths will reconnect with someone where distance grew as a consequence of circumstances will find their hearts aglow with the angst and tender agony of their love.
�A long time ago, the moon and earth each followed their own trajectories. One day they crossed paths and were mutually attracted to each other, but neither managed to stop. They followed their own course, each with a power of attraction over the other…and the forces combined and the moon started orbiting around the earth over and over again.�
�They never managed to latch onto each other…but their paths are forever linked.�
This story has left me in a warm blanket of not quite sadness but sweetly exhausted melancholy. It is the feeling of perking up after a good soul-dumping cry. This is a story where so much of what is said speaks to something beyond the actual words, the codes of longing and checking the boundaries to see if there is still a place in someone else’s heart for you.
'We're not talking about the bookstore anymore are we?'
See what I mean?
Ana gets married, becomes a career mayor while Zeno sails, explores, womanizes and works on his PhD dissertation (interestingly enough a quantum physics theory that time can be halted and spun backwards, much like the narrative). There were a few aspects I raised an eyebrow or sighed at, as the romanticization of the wanderlust man who can’t commit is a bit tired, especially as the women in this story are left carrying an unequal load of emotional labor. The two characters are balanced out well though as to both be upholding the longing on each other, though when Ana’s husband is a bit too supportive of her feelings for Zeno its a bit odd (homeboy is like hey I’m old and you can still get frisky so do it up which was…awkwardly executed). Also the story does a disservice to Ana’s husband and daughter who are overly sidelined without much space for them, though their one big scene is a a well done metaphor directed at uncovering Ana’s emotional affair. One final gripe, I sort of dislike the font choice and it is quite difficult to read in a digital version.
That said, there are some intensely cute and tender moments, brought to life with the gorgeous artwork, such as when their phone calls merge them into the same panel as if they are dancing together or embracing on the same beach. Their longing is always felt and their emotions dance off the page, especially the joy they cannot mask with each reconnection.
I love these moments in the story.
The book succeeds through not attempting to do too much with the plot but keeps it fairly centered in the mundanities of life while still making them fairly extraordinary people, he adventurous and brilliant, she driven and strong willed. While it is full of romantic quirkiness, it never launches too far and just breathes with everyday life. I think this made is stick more for me.
The artwork really brings it here. The color palettes are divine, conveying so much mood and the panel work keeps the story moving forward (well…backwards) at a well-balanced pace. Sometimes this book feels like not quite enough and sometimes a bit bogged down in the repetition, but it also feels alive and true, which helps. Projects like Zeno’s PhD or Ana’s mayor-defining bridge weave through the story, finding out the inspirations or pitfalls in ways the keep these sideplots interesting enough to pull the story along. But what is most impressive is the way the erosion of time is show in the landscapes and characters, with their aging being done quite impressively on the page.
But we have to talk about Zeno. Jordi, how dare you make this cartoon man so damn dreamy. Handsome, roguish academic to silver fox…I feel personally targeted. I mean c’mon:
Insert heart eyes
Short but full of love and life, Always Never is a charming and cute read. The idea behind the narrative is great and never feels like a gimmick but only enhances the story and is a unique way to squeeze out as much emotion as possible from the storyline. It all ends where it begins, and is a cute a satisfying moment that will have you flipping back through the story to follow the threads forward through their lives as there are aspects you won’t realize are meaningful until later in the story. A feel good yet feel sad story with exquisite art, this was a hit.
4/5
�Inevitable, but impossible. Separated by infinity. United by the horizon. At that point where two parallel lines finally come together. One day, perhaps, always.�
Lovers across time
Zeno and Ana have spent their lives orbiting one another in a bittersweet dance that never aligns their hearts together but keeps them yearning and dreaming for one another. The story is told through outstanding and whimsical artwork and moves backwards through their live—not unlike the film —with each new chapter preceding the last on a timeline returning us to the origin of their first connection. Time is practically a character, pushed in reverse as we unravel the culminations of their lives as paths cross and recross in a backwards waltz of muted passion rivaled by commitment to duty and family. It is a bittersweet story, kept upbeat by the format making each reveal a bit more charming while also coming loaded down with an added emotional weight in the irony of knowing what is to come as the characters greet each page with an eye to the future and an unshakable desire for each other despite the uncertain grounds of love on which they stand. Anyone who has ever had a late night phone call with a long-lost love or wondered if your paths will reconnect with someone where distance grew as a consequence of circumstances will find their hearts aglow with the angst and tender agony of their love.
�A long time ago, the moon and earth each followed their own trajectories. One day they crossed paths and were mutually attracted to each other, but neither managed to stop. They followed their own course, each with a power of attraction over the other…and the forces combined and the moon started orbiting around the earth over and over again.�
�They never managed to latch onto each other…but their paths are forever linked.�
This story has left me in a warm blanket of not quite sadness but sweetly exhausted melancholy. It is the feeling of perking up after a good soul-dumping cry. This is a story where so much of what is said speaks to something beyond the actual words, the codes of longing and checking the boundaries to see if there is still a place in someone else’s heart for you.
'We're not talking about the bookstore anymore are we?'
See what I mean?
Ana gets married, becomes a career mayor while Zeno sails, explores, womanizes and works on his PhD dissertation (interestingly enough a quantum physics theory that time can be halted and spun backwards, much like the narrative). There were a few aspects I raised an eyebrow or sighed at, as the romanticization of the wanderlust man who can’t commit is a bit tired, especially as the women in this story are left carrying an unequal load of emotional labor. The two characters are balanced out well though as to both be upholding the longing on each other, though when Ana’s husband is a bit too supportive of her feelings for Zeno its a bit odd (homeboy is like hey I’m old and you can still get frisky so do it up which was…awkwardly executed). Also the story does a disservice to Ana’s husband and daughter who are overly sidelined without much space for them, though their one big scene is a a well done metaphor directed at uncovering Ana’s emotional affair. One final gripe, I sort of dislike the font choice and it is quite difficult to read in a digital version.
That said, there are some intensely cute and tender moments, brought to life with the gorgeous artwork, such as when their phone calls merge them into the same panel as if they are dancing together or embracing on the same beach. Their longing is always felt and their emotions dance off the page, especially the joy they cannot mask with each reconnection.
I love these moments in the story.
The book succeeds through not attempting to do too much with the plot but keeps it fairly centered in the mundanities of life while still making them fairly extraordinary people, he adventurous and brilliant, she driven and strong willed. While it is full of romantic quirkiness, it never launches too far and just breathes with everyday life. I think this made is stick more for me.
The artwork really brings it here. The color palettes are divine, conveying so much mood and the panel work keeps the story moving forward (well…backwards) at a well-balanced pace. Sometimes this book feels like not quite enough and sometimes a bit bogged down in the repetition, but it also feels alive and true, which helps. Projects like Zeno’s PhD or Ana’s mayor-defining bridge weave through the story, finding out the inspirations or pitfalls in ways the keep these sideplots interesting enough to pull the story along. But what is most impressive is the way the erosion of time is show in the landscapes and characters, with their aging being done quite impressively on the page.
But we have to talk about Zeno. Jordi, how dare you make this cartoon man so damn dreamy. Handsome, roguish academic to silver fox…I feel personally targeted. I mean c’mon:
Insert heart eyes
Short but full of love and life, Always Never is a charming and cute read. The idea behind the narrative is great and never feels like a gimmick but only enhances the story and is a unique way to squeeze out as much emotion as possible from the storyline. It all ends where it begins, and is a cute a satisfying moment that will have you flipping back through the story to follow the threads forward through their lives as there are aspects you won’t realize are meaningful until later in the story. A feel good yet feel sad story with exquisite art, this was a hit.
4/5
�Inevitable, but impossible. Separated by infinity. United by the horizon. At that point where two parallel lines finally come together. One day, perhaps, always.�
October 27, 2021
«Carta blanca» es un libro tan tierno, encantador y romántico que me costaría bastante creer que alguien lo ha leído y no ha caído rendido a sus pies. Cuenta la historia de un amor platónico que se alarga durante cuatro décadas: sus protagonistas -una enamoradiza y testaruda alcaldesa y un aventurero marinero- se rehuyen y se reencuentran sabiendo que, por mucho que se quieran, sus vidas no terminarían de encajar porque sus caminos son demasiado diferentes. Tiene la particularidad de que conocemos la historia desde el final, empezando por el desenlace en el capítulo 20, y que conforme el libro avanza los protagonistas van rejuveneciendo hasta que, en la última página, se nos cuenta cómo se conocieron. Esta es una historia de amor atemporal, de las que se cuentan en las películas, de las que están tan destinadas a acabar bien que solo pueden existir en la ficción.
Jordi Lafebre me ha deslumbrado con una historia hermosísima y con unos dibujos perfectamente reconocibles como propios debido a su expresividad cinética: aunque los personajes son ilustraciones sobre el papel, sus vibrantes líneas, sus expresiones faciales, su disposición corporal� hacen que parezca que se están moviendo ante tus ojos. Es genial, también, la enorme representación que hace de distintas tipologías físicas y faciales, así como el excelente trabajo que lleva a cabo a la hora de representar las distintas edades de los protagonistas.
Nada más terminar de leer «Carta blanca» lo que más te apetece hacer es volverlo a empezar de nuevo, esta vez desde la última página en lugar de la primera. Este es uno de esos libros que te dejan una sonrisa al acabarlo y que te despierta las ganas de apretarlo muy fuerte contra el pecho para que ese cariño les llegue intacto a unos personajes que te han hecho pasar unas horas de ensoñación y aventura, y que te han hecho partícipes de uno de los amores más puros que he tenido la suerte de presenciar.
Jordi Lafebre me ha deslumbrado con una historia hermosísima y con unos dibujos perfectamente reconocibles como propios debido a su expresividad cinética: aunque los personajes son ilustraciones sobre el papel, sus vibrantes líneas, sus expresiones faciales, su disposición corporal� hacen que parezca que se están moviendo ante tus ojos. Es genial, también, la enorme representación que hace de distintas tipologías físicas y faciales, así como el excelente trabajo que lleva a cabo a la hora de representar las distintas edades de los protagonistas.
Nada más terminar de leer «Carta blanca» lo que más te apetece hacer es volverlo a empezar de nuevo, esta vez desde la última página en lugar de la primera. Este es uno de esos libros que te dejan una sonrisa al acabarlo y que te despierta las ganas de apretarlo muy fuerte contra el pecho para que ese cariño les llegue intacto a unos personajes que te han hecho pasar unas horas de ensoñación y aventura, y que te han hecho partícipes de uno de los amores más puros que he tenido la suerte de presenciar.
February 8, 2022
Una vita che fatica ad andare avanti dopo quel primo amore.
Una storia d'amore a ritroso.
Un abbraccio che sa di nostalgia.
«Inevitabile, ma impossibile.
Divisi dall'infinito, uniti dall'orizzonte.
Là dove due rette parallele finalmente si incontrano.»
Un giorno, forse, per sempre.
Una storia d'amore a ritroso.
Un abbraccio che sa di nostalgia.
«Inevitabile, ma impossibile.
Divisi dall'infinito, uniti dall'orizzonte.
Là dove due rette parallele finalmente si incontrano.»
Un giorno, forse, per sempre.
December 9, 2021
A perfectly lovely romance told backward. I thought I had a bad digital file when Chapter 20 showed up on page 5, but it is indeed a countdown as each chapter precedes the last chronologically. We know the ending, but now we get to fall in love with the characters as we find out how they fell in love.
The second I got to the last page, I immediately started reading the book backward, going back up through the chapters and appreciating all the tiny little connections sprinkled throughout.
Beautiful in story and art.
The second I got to the last page, I immediately started reading the book backward, going back up through the chapters and appreciating all the tiny little connections sprinkled throughout.
Beautiful in story and art.
January 4, 2022
A simple idea, executed perfectly in every way.
May 19, 2024
Lafebra's artwork is just stunning.
September 29, 2022
There are books like this that just makes you love .. love and its perfect in every sense of the word. Its a book which tells you of a love story separated by time, but united again by love and its just perfect. The backwards story-telling of them meeting each other in the old age and each succeeding chapter a glimpse of how they first met or stayed united was perfectly done and is a master stroke in story-telling, and the art was breath taking, its so good, you can feel the love and care the artists have put into it and it will just make you love it even more! Its a perfect romance story, a perfect GN with perfect art and all in a perfect read and one of my favorites of the years already! I highly recommend it!
May 11, 2021
Llorando de felicidad estoy. Qué obra más bonita!!!!
'Carta blanca' nos narra una historia de amor. Y no es que sea excesivamente especial (que lo es), ni cuente con los personajes más carismáticos y atípicos que existan (aunque lo son). Lo especial de su historia es que empieza por el final y, a partir de ahí, en ese momento en el que suele terminar una historia, comienza la de Ana y Zeno.
Él, un alma libre sin destino fijo. Ella, una mente brillante que ha nacido para echar raíces. Dos caras de una misma moneda. De este modo, los vemos pasar desde la vejez a la adolescencia, en determinados puntos de sus vidas, viviendo su historia de amor como si alguien le diera al botón de rebobinar. Y es precioso y sumamente original.
Directo al corazón, así se gana un puesto entre mis ó favoritos. Y es que 'Carta blanca' es una de esas historias que te hacen llorar de felicidad, que te calientan el corazón y que lees con una sonrisa en los labios. Una maravilla que, acompañada del dibujo expresivo y precioso de Jordi Lafebre, hacen de la obra una delicia.
Ojalá pudiera ir hacia atrás y volver a leerlo por primera vez.
Por supuesto, recomendadísimo.
'Carta blanca' nos narra una historia de amor. Y no es que sea excesivamente especial (que lo es), ni cuente con los personajes más carismáticos y atípicos que existan (aunque lo son). Lo especial de su historia es que empieza por el final y, a partir de ahí, en ese momento en el que suele terminar una historia, comienza la de Ana y Zeno.
Él, un alma libre sin destino fijo. Ella, una mente brillante que ha nacido para echar raíces. Dos caras de una misma moneda. De este modo, los vemos pasar desde la vejez a la adolescencia, en determinados puntos de sus vidas, viviendo su historia de amor como si alguien le diera al botón de rebobinar. Y es precioso y sumamente original.
Directo al corazón, así se gana un puesto entre mis ó favoritos. Y es que 'Carta blanca' es una de esas historias que te hacen llorar de felicidad, que te calientan el corazón y que lees con una sonrisa en los labios. Una maravilla que, acompañada del dibujo expresivo y precioso de Jordi Lafebre, hacen de la obra una delicia.
Ojalá pudiera ir hacia atrás y volver a leerlo por primera vez.
Por supuesto, recomendadísimo.
April 2, 2021
I disegni sono meravigliosi e l’idea di iniziare dalla fine è molto interessante, infatti appena l’ho terminato l’ho ricominciato a leggere dal primo capitolo con occhi diversi.
Ecco tutte le mie tre stelle sono solo per questi motivi.
Per il resto la storia non mi ha fatto impazzire, anzi... i due protagonisti non mi sono piaciuti. Entrambi si sono innamorati di un’illusione e ne hanno fatto un’ossessione. Sarà che ho un’idea di amore diversa, questo è un mio giudizio molto personale, ma per me amarsi significa soprattutto presenza e dedicarsi gli uni agli altri, quindi a me proprio non è piaciuto il messaggio.
Ana e Zeno si sono innamorati più dell’idea dell’amore che di loro. Questo li ha portati a fingere, soprattutto lei, che aveva al suo fianco una persona meravigliosa, se n’� approfittata e se n’� fregata. Ha usato Giuseppe solo per avere una vita ‘normale� e una famiglia, una perfetta vittima delle regole imposte dalla società sul dovere di avere come obiettivo una famiglia nucleare, per essere a posto con la coscienza insomma. Poi raggiunto l’obiettivo della famiglia lei ne fuggiva sempre, non era mai presente e pensava solo a se stessa.
Zeno invece rappresenta il tipico belloccio sicuro di se voluto da tutte e infedele perché è “uno spirito libero�.
Poi però si innamora perdutamente di una tipa con cui ha passato la sua prima notte di sesso... ma bo non mi sembra tanto credibile. 😅
Più che una storia d’amore mi è sembrata una storia di tradimenti, amore tossico e di idealizzazione dell’amore.
Inoltre mi ha infastidito la raffigurazione del marinaio ‘Bobo�, che a mio parere incarna uno stereotipo razzista, lo chiamano “scimmione� ed è il personaggio “stupido�. Completamente fuori luogo e non necessario.
Ecco tutte le mie tre stelle sono solo per questi motivi.
Per il resto la storia non mi ha fatto impazzire, anzi... i due protagonisti non mi sono piaciuti. Entrambi si sono innamorati di un’illusione e ne hanno fatto un’ossessione. Sarà che ho un’idea di amore diversa, questo è un mio giudizio molto personale, ma per me amarsi significa soprattutto presenza e dedicarsi gli uni agli altri, quindi a me proprio non è piaciuto il messaggio.
Ana e Zeno si sono innamorati più dell’idea dell’amore che di loro. Questo li ha portati a fingere, soprattutto lei, che aveva al suo fianco una persona meravigliosa, se n’� approfittata e se n’� fregata. Ha usato Giuseppe solo per avere una vita ‘normale� e una famiglia, una perfetta vittima delle regole imposte dalla società sul dovere di avere come obiettivo una famiglia nucleare, per essere a posto con la coscienza insomma. Poi raggiunto l’obiettivo della famiglia lei ne fuggiva sempre, non era mai presente e pensava solo a se stessa.
Zeno invece rappresenta il tipico belloccio sicuro di se voluto da tutte e infedele perché è “uno spirito libero�.
Poi però si innamora perdutamente di una tipa con cui ha passato la sua prima notte di sesso... ma bo non mi sembra tanto credibile. 😅
Più che una storia d’amore mi è sembrata una storia di tradimenti, amore tossico e di idealizzazione dell’amore.
Inoltre mi ha infastidito la raffigurazione del marinaio ‘Bobo�, che a mio parere incarna uno stereotipo razzista, lo chiamano “scimmione� ed è il personaggio “stupido�. Completamente fuori luogo e non necessario.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 30, 2021
Histoire intéressante jusqu’� ce que je tombe sur une énième caricature raciste du “Marin noir, analphabète et un peu bêbête�. L’impression de voir “Baba� dans Astérix et Obélix, le pirate aux lèvres exagérément charnues, qui ne sait pas prononcer les R et qui est analphabète. D’ailleurs le personnage de Malgré tout, s’appelle “Bobo�. Coïncidence je ne crois pas. Une énième fiction avec un personnage noir qui fait office de side kick, dont on sait rien en dehors du fait qu’il est “étranger�. L’imaginaire raciste et coloniale est encore présent dans une BD publiée en 2020. Rageant, fatiguant et désolant.
February 25, 2021
No, nonostante tutti abbiano decantato questo fumetto devo dire che mi ha lasciato proprio l'amaro in bocca. Immaginavo che mi avrebbe lasciata entusiasta per via delle buone premesse del primo capitolo postato da Bao su Instagram, per l'idea interessante di partire dall'ultimo capitolo e concludere con il primo, ma è proprio il concetto di un rapporto inesistente, mai esistito che si trasforma dopo quarant'anni in un amore immenso e puro che non mi quadra. Perché una donna dovrebbe cadere tra le braccia di un uomo a prima vista per poi non rivederlo più, vivendo su due binari distinti, scrivendogli lettere che non può inviare per poi continuare la propria vita avendo una carriera meravigliosa, un uomo affidabile e amorevole al fianco con cui ha una figlia? Come si può pensare che qualcuno sano di mente butti all'aria tutto questo dopo quarant'anni soltanto perché lui si rifà vivo? Tuttavia i disegni molto francesi mi sono piaciuti parecchio e alcune scene sono molto apprezzabili. Non credo che lo consiglierei a qualcuno.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 28, 2022
Come inizia una storia d'amore? O, in questo caso, come è possibile che due persone si perdano di vista per anni senza mai ritrovarsi veramente?
In questa storia si inizia dalla fine, dall'incontro: l'ultimo? il primo? chissà.
Una graphic novel molto tenera che scalda il cuore, decisamente consigliata.
In questa storia si inizia dalla fine, dall'incontro: l'ultimo? il primo? chissà.
Una graphic novel molto tenera che scalda il cuore, decisamente consigliata.
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February 4, 2024Apesar de tudo o que dizem sobre o livro, apesar de todos os elogios e apesar de até ter gostado da leitura, não creio que me fique grande memória desta banda desenhada. Nada de errado com ela - a história é relevante, o uso da anacronia é inteligente e resulta bastante bem, e o grafismo é maravilhoso -, mas o estilo romance meloso não é muito (não é nada, realmente) o meu estilo.
September 29, 2021
10 de 10*
辱Ծã:
辱Ծã:
November 10, 2021
Povero Giuseppe.
August 6, 2022
I think reading this made my heart grow three sizes.
Always Never is one of the loveliest graphic novels, and most unique love stories, I’ve ever experienced. Spanish cartoonist Jordi Lafebre both wrote and illustrated this himself, and there’s a level of cohesion to the prose and the art that feels incredibly rare to me because of that. I was captured from the very beginning by both the art and the unique format.
This is the story of a romance delayed. The book opens with chapter 20, where we see the 37-year delayed date of an older couple who life has kept apart for all that time. Readers are immediately left with questions. Why did they wait so long? What kept them apart? What drew them to one another in the first place? From here, we journey further and further back in their story, finally ending in chapter 1, when the two meet for the very first time.
This format for a love story was absolutely brilliant. Starting with the end and working back toward the beginning was a fascinating, refreshing look at what was already a very unconventional romance, mostly kept alive through late-night office phone calls and letters with no return addresses. It was lovely, and somehow still retained an air of mystery even after the final pages of chapter 1. I was both delighted by it and profoundly moved.
A couple of things about this graphic novel blew my mind. First of all, this is a translation. While I was made aware of this in my research, it never felt like one to me, which speaks highly of both the original prose and the translation itself. Secondly, Lafebre is a phenomenal artist. The expressiveness in the eyes of his characters blew me away, and the reverse aging of the cast was incredible to behold. The skill and raw talent on display here were truly humbling.
I don’t read a ton of graphic novels, and romance hasn’t been my genre of choice this year, but I’m thankful for whatever bookish serendipity brought Always Never into my reading life. It was exquisite, and an absolute delight to read. I’ve already added a physical copy to my wishlist, as this is a story I hope to revisit time and again as I grow older. It gave me an even deeper appreciation for my own love story, and the ease of it, and I want to have access to that lovely reminder on my shelf.
You can find review and more at .
Always Never is one of the loveliest graphic novels, and most unique love stories, I’ve ever experienced. Spanish cartoonist Jordi Lafebre both wrote and illustrated this himself, and there’s a level of cohesion to the prose and the art that feels incredibly rare to me because of that. I was captured from the very beginning by both the art and the unique format.
This is the story of a romance delayed. The book opens with chapter 20, where we see the 37-year delayed date of an older couple who life has kept apart for all that time. Readers are immediately left with questions. Why did they wait so long? What kept them apart? What drew them to one another in the first place? From here, we journey further and further back in their story, finally ending in chapter 1, when the two meet for the very first time.
This format for a love story was absolutely brilliant. Starting with the end and working back toward the beginning was a fascinating, refreshing look at what was already a very unconventional romance, mostly kept alive through late-night office phone calls and letters with no return addresses. It was lovely, and somehow still retained an air of mystery even after the final pages of chapter 1. I was both delighted by it and profoundly moved.
A couple of things about this graphic novel blew my mind. First of all, this is a translation. While I was made aware of this in my research, it never felt like one to me, which speaks highly of both the original prose and the translation itself. Secondly, Lafebre is a phenomenal artist. The expressiveness in the eyes of his characters blew me away, and the reverse aging of the cast was incredible to behold. The skill and raw talent on display here were truly humbling.
I don’t read a ton of graphic novels, and romance hasn’t been my genre of choice this year, but I’m thankful for whatever bookish serendipity brought Always Never into my reading life. It was exquisite, and an absolute delight to read. I’ve already added a physical copy to my wishlist, as this is a story I hope to revisit time and again as I grow older. It gave me an even deeper appreciation for my own love story, and the ease of it, and I want to have access to that lovely reminder on my shelf.
You can find review and more at .
May 14, 2021
Un très beau et agréable roman graphique qui donne envie de croire en l'amour. C'est dommage que la vraie vie ne soit pas aussi belle que la fiction. C'est probablement la raison pour laquelle on aime lire.
February 1, 2022
This was such a cute graphic novel! Bite sized, sweet and full of adorable moments. A happily ever after waiting to be fulfilled after years of denying.
January 16, 2025
Dopo "Un'estate fa", che mi ha abbagliato con la sua storia e i suoi disegni, mi sono buttato su un'altra opera di Lafebre ossia "Nonostante tutto". I disegni sono sempre stupendi e già dalla prima pagina è stato amore per il tratto e i colori come la prima volta. Amore è la parola giusta perché proprio di un'amore si narra in questa storia. Quello tra Ana e Zeno, però, non è un amore convenzionale come mi aspettavo. Anzi, tutto il contrario! E contrario è un'altra parola chiave poiché anche la storia è narrata al contrario, dal loro incontro ormai vecchi, il lettore torna indietro nel tempo fino alla prima volta in cui si sono visti. Questa narrazione è particolarmente efficace perché fino agli ultimi capitoli non ho capito perfettamente i personaggi e il loro rapporto ed inoltre è bellissimo cogliere i rimandi e le conseguenze che man mano spuntano dalla lettura. Alla fine mi sono affezionato a Zeno ed Ana e ad un certo punto ho pure pianto. E adesso urge una rilettura, dall'ultimo capitolo al primo però, per cogliere i riferimenti che mi sono perso (qualcuno di sicuro c'è).
January 2, 2024
A love story told in reverse💜 The color palette and illustrations were so gorgeous.
November 28, 2022
Gorgeous artwork is not enough to elevate Always Never, a love story told backwards.
Readers are introduced to Zeno and Ana in the winter of their lives as Zeno closes his bookstore and Ana retires from public service.
They hint at lives well-lived. Then, from chapter 20 back through chapter 1, readers learn about their romance in reverse. Details are dropped here and there in order to build interest. It just didn't work for me.
It did at first. I thought, what a cool idea. But around chapter 12 and 11, the story began to lose me.
Ana was busy with a construction project and Zeno always seemed to be on a boat. They communicate through phone calls and letters. It didn't make a very good story.
I wanted to enjoy this book. As I mentioned earlier, the artwork is beautiful and the muted colors are lovely.
Props to the author, Jordi Lafebre, for trying something different.
Readers are introduced to Zeno and Ana in the winter of their lives as Zeno closes his bookstore and Ana retires from public service.
They hint at lives well-lived. Then, from chapter 20 back through chapter 1, readers learn about their romance in reverse. Details are dropped here and there in order to build interest. It just didn't work for me.
It did at first. I thought, what a cool idea. But around chapter 12 and 11, the story began to lose me.
Ana was busy with a construction project and Zeno always seemed to be on a boat. They communicate through phone calls and letters. It didn't make a very good story.
I wanted to enjoy this book. As I mentioned earlier, the artwork is beautiful and the muted colors are lovely.
Props to the author, Jordi Lafebre, for trying something different.
April 24, 2022
9'5/10 ⭐⭐⭐⭐�
🙆♂� ¡Increíble como se puede hacer un cómic adulto tan bueno sólo con amor! Aquí no hay villanos, no hay gente mala. Todos los personajes desprenden bondad.
Narrado hacia atrás en el tiempo de forma original y magistral. Cada capítulo rebosa humanidad (pero sólo la parte buena de la humanidad) 😅
Una historia de amor... pero me refiero a la del autor (Jordi Lafebre) por el buen gusto al noveno arte. Pues eso... ¡Una obra de arte! 🙌🙌🙌
🙆♂� ¡Increíble como se puede hacer un cómic adulto tan bueno sólo con amor! Aquí no hay villanos, no hay gente mala. Todos los personajes desprenden bondad.
Narrado hacia atrás en el tiempo de forma original y magistral. Cada capítulo rebosa humanidad (pero sólo la parte buena de la humanidad) 😅
Una historia de amor... pero me refiero a la del autor (Jordi Lafebre) por el buen gusto al noveno arte. Pues eso... ¡Una obra de arte! 🙌🙌🙌
November 24, 2021
Siempre me sabe mal poner una mala nota, pero es que no soy capaz de encontrar lo suficiente como para subirla, ya que me parece muy mal la base de esta historia.
Tenía muchas expectativas, una historia de amor contada del revés, desde el final hasta el principio. Me imaginaba una gran historia de amor, con sus más y sus menos, pero no, nos encontramos con un amor platónico de dos personas que no están juntas pero tampoco se sueltan. Y si, con esto también suena bien, pero luego ves como la protagonista le esconde la relación con este hombre a su marido, y si, nunca le pone físicamente los cuernos, pero sabiendo que amas a otra persona....
SPOILER -> <- SPOILER
Es por eso que no he empatizado con los protagonistas, no los he entendido, ni lo que hacen ni lo que sienten. Me he llevado un buen chasco y más sabiendo que me he gastado más de 20� en esta historia la cual no puedo sacarle nada bueno. Creo que si hubiese sido una novela más extensa, que tratara más los pensamientos, remordimientos, sentimientos... quizás me habría llegado y lo habría entendido, pero no es el caso, se pone a hablar más de donde poner un puente que de los sentimientos.
Tenía muchas expectativas, una historia de amor contada del revés, desde el final hasta el principio. Me imaginaba una gran historia de amor, con sus más y sus menos, pero no, nos encontramos con un amor platónico de dos personas que no están juntas pero tampoco se sueltan. Y si, con esto también suena bien, pero luego ves como la protagonista le esconde la relación con este hombre a su marido, y si, nunca le pone físicamente los cuernos, pero sabiendo que amas a otra persona....
SPOILER -> <- SPOILER
Es por eso que no he empatizado con los protagonistas, no los he entendido, ni lo que hacen ni lo que sienten. Me he llevado un buen chasco y más sabiendo que me he gastado más de 20� en esta historia la cual no puedo sacarle nada bueno. Creo que si hubiese sido una novela más extensa, que tratara más los pensamientos, remordimientos, sentimientos... quizás me habría llegado y lo habría entendido, pero no es el caso, se pone a hablar más de donde poner un puente que de los sentimientos.
July 25, 2021
Literalmente uno de los ó más bonitos que he leído, una historia de amor preciosa y el estilo de explicarlo me ha parecido muy novedoso y muy interesante. Se sigue la historia de amor de los dos personajes principales, Ana y Zeno, pero desde el final hasta el principio de cuándo se conocieron, y como a pesar del tiempo y la distancia no ha cambiado nada entre ellos. De verdad, una cucada preciosa que se lee muy rápido y te deja con mariposas en el estómago por lo bonito que es.
August 24, 2023
DNF: It was a pretty chill read until I got to chapter 13 and boy was I not prepared for the racism! One of the only POC characters, a Black man apparently, called Bobo, is portrayed as a fledgling idiot who can't speak in full sentences and is used as comedic relief to prop up the genius of the other characters. Even if Bobo ultimately gives the protagonist the idea that he will base his thesis on ( intellectual theft, anyone?) he functions purely as a racist stereotype, the kind but dumb and serviable character. I can't believe I had to scroll down so many 5 star reviews to find people who were as shocked as I was. How is it possible to write and draw a character so steeped in racist imagery in 2020? I guess the author did not bother to read any of the anti-racist books that were circulating back then. I obviously stopped reading the book there and then because I was gutted and sincerely very angry, at the author and all the readers who gassed it up because the racism didn't even register in their minds.
June 30, 2021
He quedado fascinada por la delicadeza y la belleza de esta historia, por lo bien pensada y bien hilada que está, la relación entre la tesis de Zeno y la propia historia, lo difícil que es "volver a casa", el hecho de que sus vidas tomen caminos diferentes, que sean capaces de cumplir sus sueños y tener otras relaciones, pero saber que siempre se tienen el uno al otro... no sé, es que sencillamente ha sido de lo más bonito que he leído en muchísimo tiempo, y aún hoy, días después de haberlo terminado, me sigo emocionando por lo redondo y perfecto que ha sido.
Reseña completa:
Reseña completa:
July 14, 2021
Quelle merveille ! C’est beau et sa manière de découvrir l’histoire donne au récit encore plus de force, un vrai coup de cœur.
September 19, 2020
Une romance douce et plein de tendresse qui nous fait remonter dans le temps
Mots clés : Amour, romance, bande dessinée, antichronologique, contemporain, fiction
Wow, quel coup de cœur. J’ai absolument adoré cette bande dessinée. Tout d’abord, les dessins sont magnifiques. Il y a tellement de charme, de tendresse, de couleurs... Ensuite, l’histoire est structurée de manière très originale, on commence au chapitre 20 et on finit par le chapitre 1. Au début, j’ai cru que le PDF n’était pas complet puis j’ai compris et j’ai adoré l’idée : Connaître la fin avant le début, c’est tellement plaisant. On peut commencer cette histoire à la page 1 tout comme à la page 150, l’histoire est tout aussi compréhensible. Les personnages principaux, Zeno et Ana, sont touchants et leur histoire encore plus. J’ai beaucoup apprécié le personnage de Giuseppe qui est un homme très compréhensible et à l’écoute. Il a soutenu Ana de manière remarquable et l’a laissé vivre sans trop en demander. Cette histoire d’amour m’a donné envie de pleurer à un moment, parce que malgré tout ils s’aiment et se réunissent. Je recommande absolument cette bande-dessinée pleine de tendresse et d’amour.
5/5
Merci NetgalleyFR pour cette copie en échange de mon honnête opinion.
Mots clés : Amour, romance, bande dessinée, antichronologique, contemporain, fiction
Wow, quel coup de cœur. J’ai absolument adoré cette bande dessinée. Tout d’abord, les dessins sont magnifiques. Il y a tellement de charme, de tendresse, de couleurs... Ensuite, l’histoire est structurée de manière très originale, on commence au chapitre 20 et on finit par le chapitre 1. Au début, j’ai cru que le PDF n’était pas complet puis j’ai compris et j’ai adoré l’idée : Connaître la fin avant le début, c’est tellement plaisant. On peut commencer cette histoire à la page 1 tout comme à la page 150, l’histoire est tout aussi compréhensible. Les personnages principaux, Zeno et Ana, sont touchants et leur histoire encore plus. J’ai beaucoup apprécié le personnage de Giuseppe qui est un homme très compréhensible et à l’écoute. Il a soutenu Ana de manière remarquable et l’a laissé vivre sans trop en demander. Cette histoire d’amour m’a donné envie de pleurer à un moment, parce que malgré tout ils s’aiment et se réunissent. Je recommande absolument cette bande-dessinée pleine de tendresse et d’amour.
5/5
Merci NetgalleyFR pour cette copie en échange de mon honnête opinion.
July 22, 2022
“The journey home is always the longest.�
Breathtakingly beautiful in both story and art, this was a graphic novel that touched the soul and ignited heartfelt passion for lives lived deeply.
The backwards chronological storytelling was a master stroke of writing. Not only did it fit perfectly with the main character’s thesis theory regarding the flow of time, but it also was unique and enigmatic. When all the pieces began to fall into place and the timeline of the couple’s interactions became clearer it was like two gushing rivers flowing into each other and running over the edge of a cliff as a cascading waterfall. Beautiful and refreshing!
(Recommended by Lex)
Breathtakingly beautiful in both story and art, this was a graphic novel that touched the soul and ignited heartfelt passion for lives lived deeply.
The backwards chronological storytelling was a master stroke of writing. Not only did it fit perfectly with the main character’s thesis theory regarding the flow of time, but it also was unique and enigmatic. When all the pieces began to fall into place and the timeline of the couple’s interactions became clearer it was like two gushing rivers flowing into each other and running over the edge of a cliff as a cascading waterfall. Beautiful and refreshing!
(Recommended by Lex)
October 11, 2020
Super cuuuute et hyper original, une superbe découverte ! ❤️
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