Polina

Bastien Vivès is a graphic novelist and illustrator. He is the author of several highly-acclaimed graphic novels, including The Butcher and Hollywood in January. A Taste of Chlorine won the 'Essential Revelation' prize at the Angouleme Festival in 2009. He lives in Paris.

"A distinctly continental sort of graphic novel: 200 sepia-tone pages of rambling story about a young ballet dancer's training and young adulthood, rather like Black Swan without the madness and body horror." -- Tim Martin Daily Telegraph "An absorbing tale. Both the art and the narrative are compelling and arresting and it isn't long before the book has you in its gentle grip." Bookmunch "Thrillingly minimalistic. Who knew you could express so much in so few lines?" Herald "I was seduced immediately. This is an exceptionally absorbing and touching book, one that should be required reading for teenage girls everywhere." -- Rachel Cooke Observer "Vives conveys emotions with the lightest of touches... a perceptive look at the things in a ballerina's life that fuel her artistry. But it will also delight readers unfamiliar with ballet. It reminds us that youthful hopes and disappointments may be innocent, but they are not necessarily shallow. They can be turned into great art." Economist