Description
The 40 Elephants
Book Summary
In 1920s London, forty women dedicated to crime form a fearsome organization. Thieves, murderers, and kidnappers from all social strata have joined forces to operate with efficiency. The arrival of Florrie "Light-fingers," a young pickpocket of exceptional talent, will put the group's cohesion to the test. As internal tensions threaten to destabilize them, they must face an increasingly efficient police force and a rival male gang determined to reclaim their territory. A graphic novel that explores power, loyalty, and survival in the criminal underworld.
What is it about?
The story takes place in post-war London, where an exclusively female criminal organization, known as "The 40 Elephants," dominates the underworld. Its members, experts in different criminal specialties, operate with a hierarchical structure and iron discipline. The plot is triggered by the addition of Florrie, a highly skilled young pickpocket who awakens both admiration and suspicion. Her presence alters the delicate internal balance, while the group faces two external threats: increasingly organized police pressure and a male gang seeking to regain control of the streets. The work combines action, drama, and a raw look at the struggle for power in a hostile environment.
Main themes
- Organized crime and survival in the London underworld of the 1920s.
- Female leadership and power dynamics within a marginal group.
- Loyalty, betrayal, and cohesion in a criminal organization.
- Gender conflict and gang rivalry in a historical context.
Who is it recommended for?
This graphic novel is aimed at readers interested in the noir and crime genre, with a historical and social perspective. It is ideal for those seeking stories featuring complex female characters far from stereotypes. It will also be attractive to fans of auteur comics with an adult narrative focus and meticulous setting.
What this book offers
- An original and little-explored vision of female organized crime in history.
- A powerful visual narrative that combines action and psychological depth.
- A reflection on power, solidarity, and the fragility of alliances.
- A detailed historical setting that immerses the reader in 1920s London.
Technical specifications
- Author: AUGUSTIN,VIRGINIE; TOUSSAINT,KID
- Publisher: PONENT MON LTD
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: GRAPHIC NOVELS, GRAPHIC NOVELS: LITERARY AND MEMOIRS, COMICS AND GRAPHIC NOVELS
- Collection: AUTEUR
- Binding: Hardcover
- Publication date: February 2019
- Number of pages: 112
- Weight: 855 g
Editorial review
The 40 Elephants offers a solid proposal within the noir comic genre, standing out for its focus on a historically documented female criminal group. The work balances an action and suspense plot with the development of complex characters in a well-recreated social and urban context. It is especially interesting for readers looking for stories that challenge genre conventions, with a critical and uncompromising perspective.