[review] Graphic novels A Life with Alexandra David-Néel Volumes 1-4

Today, I’d like to introduce you to the graphic novels “My Life with Alexandra David-Néel” by Frédéric Campoy and Mathieu Blanchot. These graphic novels are adapted from the book by Marie-Madeleine Peyronnet. If you love to travel, you’re sure to enjoy these graphic novels.

They trace the life of Alexandra David-Néel, a French explorer of the early 20th century, through the eyes of her factotum and assistant: Marie-Madeleine Peyronnet. The 4 volumes are divided into 2 box sets (box set 1 Amazon link, Fnac link, box set 2 Amazon link, Fnac link).

It begins with a brief introduction to the life of Marie-Madeleine Peyronnet and how she met Alexandra David-Néel. The graphic novels then describe the personality of the latter, a fascinating and independent woman, a bit harsh, who always followed her own path.

They trace the life of Alexandra David-Néel, from her childhood to her internationally renowned exploits. She traveled in India, Tibet, India, Japan, Korea, and spent many years studying local religions and cultures. She was very interested in Tibetan Buddhism and managed to reach Lhasa, the Tibetan capital, despite the ban on foreigners. It is the first European woman to reach this religious city. She met the 13th Dalai Lama and was initiated by several Tibetan masters.

The book also describes Marie-Madeleine Peyronnet’s later travels, after Alexandra David-Néel’s death, to Varanasi, then to Sikkim, following in her footsteps, fulfilling her last wishes.

I find the structure of the graphic novels excellent. The parts concerning Marie-Madeleine Peyronnet are in monochrome, while the parts concerning ADN’s life are in color. This makes it easier to follow the two stories. The drawings are very rich, the colors varied, and the text detailed enough to learn more about the best experiences ADN had. There are quite a few anecdotes about ADN’s character, how she receives visitors at her home, what she thinks about her death in Digne, etc. This gives a more intimate view of the person she was.

Even though Marie-Madeleine keeps a glorified vision of ADN, the authors have managed to give a rather objective look, incorporating some dialogues worthy of those between an executioner and his victim, between a narcissistic pervert and her doll, highlighting the manipulation game put in place by ADN. Beyond the travel stories and initiatory tales of ADN, we also follow the story of Marie-Madeleine, and the hold ADN has on her, even after her death.

Ultimately, Marie-Madeleine, too, was placed, against her will, on an initiatory path, less glamorous and less known than ADN’s, but there is no such thing as coincidence in life.

We also better understand why ADN, initiated by the greatest Tibetan masters, was far from enlightened. How one could be so close to reality, only to stray from it out of sheer vanity. How one could have such extraordinary mental, intellectual, and spiritual capabilities, and still fail the final test. The slow and “undignified” death of ADN, according to her own words, is recounted with great accuracy, without voyeurism.

Sometimes in life, without knowing it, we only get one chance, and if we fail to seize that unique chance, we might spend our whole life regretting it. ADN’s journey shows how difficult the path to awakening is, and as the Tibetans believe, it takes thousands of lives to get there.

You will find these 4 volumes in all good bookstores: The 4 volumes are divided into 2 box sets (box set 1 Amazon link, Fnac link, box set 2 Amazon link, Fnac link). For those who prefer the digital version, you can also purchase the Kindle version.