Gerard & Jacques: Volume 1

by よしながふみ and Fumi Yoshinaga

Book Overview

'Gerard & Jacques' is a romantic tale of an erotic novelist and his formerly aristocratic footman, set just before the French Revolution. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1598165410
• ISBN13: 9781598165418
• Release Date: September 2006
• Publisher: Blu
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.0" x 7.5"
• Age Range: 16 years and up

Customer Reviews

Great story and wonderful characters

After reading the first volume of G & J and falling in love with their story, I couldn't wait to get a hold of this one. And it does NOT disappoint! Volume Two follows the two men as they realize their love for each other is more than platonic, but personal and political complications threaten their relationship along the way. (For example, Gerard makes it on Robespierre's blacklist on account of his best selling series of erotic novels that feature two lesbian lovers.) Re-Read-abilty for G & J 2 is definitely a "10" on the scale -- in fact, as soon as reached the end of the manga, I flipped right back to the first page and started it over again. The French Revolution Era setting is original, and damn if men in waistcoats and breeches aren't hot. ;) This is a great story with a bit of humor, a rich historical backdrop, extremely enjoyable characters and just enough steamy sex to satisfy yaoi fans.

I Adore This Book!

I don't think I've read a more satisfying yaoi title. The story was fantastically executed. Yoshinaga Fumi doesn't jerk readers around with the drawn out will they/won't they formula. She gives you the goods from the start, yet still finds creative ways to keep you in suspense. The romance between Gerard and Jacques isn't the common BL fare, and BRAVO TO THAT! Gerard is an older man, Jacques is much younger (there was a shota scene in volume 1 even). Gerard isn't handsome. His face is disfigured. He's not ugly by any means, and he has elegant and regal qualities you see in a older man. He was so well-rounded. You understood his curmudgeon way of thinking. This attitude made his romance with Jacques even sweeter. You know, I didn't expect this to be as fantastic as it was. I don't care for the other licensed series the creator has out. This book shows her true skill. Lets have more titles like this! Enough with the school-boy stories.

Do not miss this excellent Yaoi!

The conclusion of G & J does not disappoint. The plot is suspenseful and I am satisfied with the ending. I personally believe the ending could have swung either way (happy or sad), depending on the mangaka's mood and wry sense of humour. Gerard is such an intriguing character. Haunted by a past which refused to let him go, this cynical, strangely wise and tormented man has to be the most well developed seme character in the Yaoi world. His final liberation simply puts a smile on my face. Jacques is endearing in his innocence and the surprise revelation of his past is quite sad. The relationship development between Gerard and Jacques is well explored in Vol 2, the build-up of the emotions keeps me turning the pages. The longer plot in "Upon this Long Summer Night" (told in 3 chapters and not depicted in the summary which as usual does not do justice to this Yaoi) is well developed, arousing and gripping, the rape scene here disturbing. Yet the mangaka manages to inject some comical moments too. Remember, Gerard is a writer of erotic romance and this does provide a few laughs. The background is of course the French revolution which I thought the mangaka did a fine job describing without being mired in too much political details. This mangaka's artwork is a class by itself, her style quite distinct from others. And the sex is much more explicit in Volume 2, the mangaka bold with her words. You are missing alot if you pass this 2 volumes story. Any Yaoi fan should have this.

Excellent and original story--great Yaoi

This has to be one of the best Yaoi titles available in English. I completely agree with the other reviewer. The story is so much more than the description suggests, and the artistry is beautiful. Even without Gerard's profile, he has more depth than most Seme characters. And, Jacques isn't the typical underdog uke (though he is naive). He is spoiled and has no appreciation for how "commoners" live. One of the best bits of dialogue I have read in a Yaoi is when Gerard chastises Jacques for being pampered, even as a prostitute, when there are children younger than he who must sell themselves in "public toilets" to survive. And he, Jacques, was sold into prostitution because his father lived beyond his means for the sake of aristocratic pride. This title is almost as good as Target in the Finder, but lacks the BDSM, which may appeal to more Yaoi fans. I can hardly wait for volume 2 and will cetrainly look for more from this very talented Mangaka. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Highly Recommended Outstanding Yaoi!

This Yaoi surpasses my expectation. The summary does not do it justice as the story is so much more. Labelled "Mature", the theme in G & J is compatible to Target in the Finder, even heavier than Embracing Love and Kizuna. No bondage sex but rape, M/M, M/F and M/M/F sex. The plot took place just before the French Revolution in Paris which was plagued by class distinction between the common folk and the aristocrats. Vol 1 consists of 5 parts. The first 3 centers on G & J relationship, starting with them meeting in a brothel, G a patron and J a count's son sold into prostitution. Here is the rape scene with G coming across as a heartless scoundrel. G buys J's freedom and J ends up as G's servant trying to prove his worth in the next 3 years. At this point, G seems your typical overbearing seme but as the plot progresses this young man is not as cold as we thought him to be. The story heats up with "The Profile of Gerald", delivering an amazing twist in the plot in the last part, "The Noble Woman", which is emotionally charged and heart wrenching. G's painful past is revealed here, providing the reasons behind G being the disillusioned and sad man he is. "The Noble Woman" plot itself deserves 5 stars and distinguishes G & J from the stereotype Yaoi. I am amaze with this mangaka's talent. She definitely has a flair, her style coming across crisp yet the story does not lose its heavy emotional effect. At the end of Vol 1, the sentimental side of me is in love with G and hope this young man finds happiness with J.