The genesis of this album is quite incredible. It is told in the preface by Marion Lachat. She, who had read comics since childhood, including Binet’s Bidochon, was only able to read that after the stroke which left her half-paralyzed when she was 18 years old. She then told her story in a book, which she signed, notably to Binet, who had managed to make her smile with his albums, even during the most difficult times.
Except that Binet answered her and, passing by her house, suggested that he and his wife go to dinner. Three days later, the designer offered to tell his story in comics. So here is the “Marion” album. And as the latter says at the conclusion of her preface: “it’s a sad, revolting comic strip… and yet funny. It’s really Binet.”
It’s so true! We know the man who, with Robert and Raymonde, Monsieur and Madame Bidochon, has been scrutinizing the most banal everyday life for years to extract pearls of humor from situations where, usually, we don’t laugh. He manages to do exactly the same thing with this tragic life story.
The stroke, the painful awakening, the inability to do most things, the slow rehabilitation, everything is shown in its coldest reality, but Binet always finds the ridiculous or the crazy in these situations. The way others view Marion is also central and often cruel. She must have drooled, but rereading these moments in this album must make her laugh today.
Because Marion, at 36, became a mother despite her disability and she is still fighting. It was her contraceptive pill that was responsible for her stroke, but the courts have not yet admitted it. Sexual freedom is a high price for women, says Marion’s lawyer. As for Binet, the pill, even bitter, he knows how to make us swallow with mischievous humanity.
