When the Wind Blows: The bestselling graphic novel for adults from the creator of The Snowman

I read this when it first came out and thought it was a brilliant and (past) timely warning. Then Gorbachev came along and ended the cold war and the general public seemed to lose sight of the message. I think that warning is as relevant now as it was when the book was first published. This is no Snowman. Read it and be afraid - it's a sensible reaction given recent and current events. Get the film too - it's every bit as good as the book (possibly a unique example of the film being better than the book!) with some truly superb and very atmospheric music, for which reason you should also get the soundtrack on CD.

A wonderful read and exploration of life back then. Written during the days of real James Bonds, the Cold War and of the Iron Curtain; this little book not only eloquently portrays the anguish of these times (through which many of us lived) but also the heartache of blissful (wanton) ignorance of Truth; the deniability of the truth, by fear. I was recently reminded of this book by Sam, (thank you) the animation of which I had seen only in parts. Having read the book now, I feel that with the current polarisation of public/political views and opinions, this little book is a poignant reminder of the unstable times in which we now live; and that to trust our own observations rather than banded straplines and sensationalist headlines, will always be a personal rather than a manipulated choice. "When the Wind Blows" by ©️ Raymond Biggs, first published in 1982 and animated in 1986 staring Peggy Ashcroft and John Mills.

A book everyone should read. A lovely old couple dealing with the abhorrent nuclear aftermath. Stays in your mind forever.

Sometimes the best stories to deal with complex issues are the simplest, in plot and form; like Orwell's 'Animal Farm' or Raymond Briggs' 'When the Wind Blows'. I suppose you could say this book conjured up a strange mixture of feelings in me. For one thing, it dealt with subjects related to the British identity which had been frustrating me for some time, such as the obsessive nostalgia for the national 'glory days' of the second world war. The old couple are way out of their time and completely without a clue. As well as tugging on our heartstrings, sometimes you just want to grab them and shake them, as they attempt to deal with the horrors of a nuclear attack with that typical British attitude of 'carrying on' and 'stiff upper lip' and 'getting by'; completely unaware of the drastic changes in warfare since the days of Churchill and Old Hitler, 'when everything made sense'. The husband keeps up a blind faith in 'the powers that be' while his wife fusses over the house and her domestic duties; even when their situation rapidly changes from bad to worse. There is cruel but sometimes hilarious black comedy at work here. But of course, with all great British works, as well as the comedy there is the tragedy. You know from the start that this couple is doomed, with their lack of knowledge and understanding in international affairs and modern warfare. It is clear that the reason they indulge in nostalgia for their pasts, keep faith in the authorities and keep telling themselves that the nuclear damage is not as bad as it looks is that they're trying to stop themselves from breaking down. Even as their bodies weaken and fall apart from the radiation, as the vibrant colour is slowly drained from Brigg's devastatingly simple, rosy artwork, the characters keep hope. We want to help them but we can only watch. A terribly human, heartbreaking story and a horrific vision of what might have been and what could be. It is difficult to imagine a nuclear holocaust in the English countryside but Briggs brings us up to harsh, tear jerking reality. A haunting little masterpiece.

When the Wind Blows is not like Raymond Briggs's other works. Unlike The Snowman, Father Christmas or Fungus the Bogeyman, it is not aimed primarily at children. It is a tragic story set during the cold war of a naive retired coupled who misunderstands nuclear war and put too much faith in the futile advice that the government provides to them. Like most all of Briggs work it is very well illustrated, the nuclear blast is particularly well done, as is the slow decline and decay of the couple as the succumb to the effects of radiation sickness. Not a story for the faint of heart.

Great book but it is all about the subject matter so a matter of taste

Very enjoyable read good if you like modern history, it is just as relevant nowadays as when I first read it forty years ago what with the war in Ukraine and the increased international tension.

chilling simplicity of one possible reality.

Poco se puede decir de un clásico del cómic tan maravilloso como este. La edición respeta el tamaño original, se lee claramente y se aprecian todos los detalles del dibujo del autor. La portada debería haber sido la del cómic original, no la de la peli de animación.

I first read this in the eight grade, about 1996. It was the first time I had what I thought was a “comic book” make me feel bad, upset or any intense emotion at all, really. It’s a beautiful story, too true to life to feel comfortable. It’s only got two characters, both of whom are in their sixties or seventies and married to each other since youth. The story takes place in Britain, seemingly in the 60’s or so. Some of the book becomes more relatable if you have exposure to other British media from that era, or even up to the eighties and nineties, as the characters are almost British tropes. Think “Are you being served” more than “Monty Python”. This knowledge isn’t necessary, since I imagine all societies have similar characters. The great part is the situation these two find themselves in, and how they process their situation with their usual “stiff upper lip” and aplomb. Just two people who love each other, trying their best in an unusual and, although they don’t know it; horrifying circumstances. It’s wonderful. It’s about a horrible thing, and there is no happy ending. But it is beautiful, nonetheless. The characters have a more plodding, quiet heroism than what we typically think of as heroic. The husband, just trying his best to keep his wife and himself happy and comfortable, without letting the world beat them down.

Raymond Briggs` trademark cynical humour and poignancy is perfect for this tale of the `little folk` affected by things out of their control. The Iron Curtain may have come down but the message of this story is still relevant in today`s climate of `terror` and fear.

If you are partial to comics and/or graphic novels, this is a classic. It’s especially dear to me because it came out when I was in high school and couldn’t get it (lack of availability in the country I was living in at the time and I probably wouldn’t have had the money for it then if it was available). The story and the way it’s told is touching, humorous and, of course, sad. Sometimes, that’s just what I feel like.

The book came in damaged, it was bent and crushed. Really sad cause I was looking for this book for a long time. Have raised a return