Debon, Nicolas. The Strongest Man in the World, Louis Cyr. Groundwood Books/House of Anansi Press, 2007. Tr. $18.95, ISBN 978-0-88899-731-9.
What’s it about?
This short, unique biography in a graphic novel format tells the story of little-known Quebecois strongman Louis Cyr through the eyes of his young daughter, Emiliana.
Want to find out more?
The Strongest Man in the World, Louis Cyr by French author and artist Nicolas Debon is a well-crafted biography about a little-known Canadian. Readers today may not be familiar with the Louis Cyr, the Quebecois weight lifter who died a century ago. This graphic-novel style biography invites them to learn about this humble man and his amazing feats of strength. The book opens in November, 1900 with a warning from a doctor: if Louis does not retire from weightlifting, he may not live to see 1901. Emiliana, his daughter, reminisces with him about his career, beginning with his childhood memories of his grandfather, also a man of considerable strength. As Louis tells of his feats of strength and the founding of his own circus, Emiliana asks more questions that unfold the story.
The expressive panels have a retro feel, which is enhanced by the simple palette of muted browns, reds, grays and blues. The endpapers are illustrated with sideshow performers who appeared in the Louis Cyr circus, including contortionists and a man who bent nails and coins with his teeth. The author’s afterward notes the dark side and eventual decline of circus sideshows. There are reproduced archival photos of Louis Cyr and his family and a poster from 1898, complete with Cyr’s $25,000 challenge to competitors worldwide. Amazingly, Debon notes, some of Cyr’s records still hold today, despite the large improvements in training and nutrition in this sport. This is a story with heart; Louis is an admirable man and father because he refused to cheat, winning well-deserved worldwide acclaim in an era where tricks and exaggeration were commonplace-- even expected-- for weightlifters. Louis retires with grace, noting to his daughter that “the strongest of all is the man who knows how to leave what he has loved with no regret.” Tweens will enjoy the non-traditional format of this little-known historical figure. Circuses and feats of strength are curious topics, especially to children that gobble up the Guinness World Book of Records. This is an unassuming and unique gem of a book that more people need to know about.
Genre label: Nonfiction (biography in graphic novel format)
Subjects/themes: Weight-lifting, History, Biography, Strongmen, French Canadians, Circuses, Sideshows, Fathers
Reading level: 5th grade
Interest level: Grades 3-6
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