Buy new:
$23.22
Ships from: Amazon Global Store UK
Sold by: Amazon Global Store UK
$23.22
Amazon US Return Policy applies to this item.
In Stock
UK imports may differ from local products. Additional terms apply. Learn More.

Amazon Global Store

  • International products have separate terms, are sold from abroad and may differ from local products, including fit, age ratings, and language of product, labeling or instructions.
  • Manufacturer warranty may not apply
  • Learn more about Amazon Global Store.
$$23.22 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$23.22
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Ships from
Amazon Global Store UK
Ships from
Amazon Global Store UK
Payment
Secure transaction
Your transaction is secure
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
Payment
Secure transaction
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
$8.04
Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less See less
FREE delivery May 15 - 16. Details
Or fastest delivery May 9 - 10. Details
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
$$23.22 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$23.22
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
Ships from and sold by ThriftBooks-Atlanta.
Amazon book clubs early access
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Amazon book clubs early access

Join or create book clubs

Choose books together

Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Explore Amazon Book Clubs
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Raymond Briggs
+ Follow
More books from this author
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Ethel & Ernest Paperback – International Edition, November 28, 2017

by Raymond Briggs (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 644 ratings
See all formats and editions
{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$23.22","priceAmount":23.22,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"23","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"22","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"OEwmUm64E0fo3XNwrIayyk1wK1bNNK2rg0LBEamPc6UxC576PV%2BY95%2FeVH3fDp6VPzAlHUu2BiQ8%2FE6ahrLHfjzICpdjQZgVgAIy4VqyU9%2FofSlUR3FoyK6WXy2asJUFHqj4Q2ouJAX%2BxDZz7ZPEId%2BPQPLNu0%2BPIow2Uxh%2BBiaEOQ6vKG0lCqkmoIkbtOPP","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}, {"displayPrice":"$8.04","priceAmount":8.04,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"8","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"04","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"OEwmUm64E0fo3XNwrIayyk1wK1bNNK2ra69c7ToxjSZv96%2BJv4g7t%2BsYEGRSl0bNXZ9utIgpWZOXC3ulkx2n9EHYamgyULF6zacTMklonWvRU5PoXNQPuLumFMqMYG57p%2FntUN2oF5N6vJfGPDR%2FOsb8jnbfxWs0bgYxo%2F0qj8w%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"USED","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":1}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

Utterly original, deeply moving and very funny, Ethel & Ernest is the story of Raymond Brigg`s parents' marriage, from their first chance encounter to their deaths told in Brigg`s unique strip-cartoon format. Nothing is invented, nothing embroidered - this is the reality of two decent, ordinary lives of two people who, as Briggs tells the story, become representative of us all. The book is also social history; we see the dark days of the Second World War, the birth of the Welfare State, the advent of television and all the changes which were so exhilarating and bewildering for Ethel and Ernest.

A marvellous, life-enhancing book for all ages.

Read more Read less
Previous page
  1. Print length
    104 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Jonathan Cape
  4. Publication date
    November 28, 2017
  5. Dimensions
    6 x 0.3 x 8.9 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1911214608
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1911214601
  8. See all details
Next page
Kindle Comics
Kindle Comics & Graphic Novel Deals
Browse the latest deals and special offers on digital comics and graphic novels from Marvel, DC Comics, Dark Horse, Image, and many more. See more

Frequently bought together

Ethel & Ernest
$17.91
Get it May 22 - Jun 7
Only 10 left in stock - order soon.
Ships from and sold by RAREWAVES-IMPORTS.
+
Father Christmas
$14.85
Get it as soon as Monday, May 13
Only 4 left in stock - order soon.
Sold by Prime Deals, USA and ships from Amazon Fulfillment.
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Details
Added to Cart
One of these items ships sooner than the other.
Show details Hide details
Choose items to buy together.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“A classic.” -- Evening Standard

“Packed full of domestic detail, Briggs’s enchanting labour of love provides a personal and social record of London life between the Thirties and Eighties. A guaranteed bestseller.” -- Independent

“Ethel & Ernest has a historical sweep and a sure command of social detail not often found in contemporary fiction. It deserves to be taken seriously as literature, whether told in cartoon form or not. A huge tranche of social history is here….” -- Daily Telegraph

“Briggs’s techniques are deceptively simple, yet terribly moving. The book is a considerable achievement, both simple and complex, emotional and dispassionate.” -- Guardian

“Its charm, its fun, its sense of period, and the sure-footedness of its characters, will leave most novels standing…Raymond Briggs has given us a classic.” -- Evening Standard

“A best seller in Britain, this winsome little book is one family’s twentieth century, told as a comic strip that fast-forwards through the decades. Briggs’s artful rendering of his parents’ striving captures the English working class, and as the tale progresses, you find yourself slowly sucked into their daily patter, amused by their cooing voices, impressed by their bravery. At the end,you’re hardly prepared for the emotional wallop.” —Time

“In the details of Briggs’s sparkling cartoons, the characters become richly specific and endearing . . . both pathetic and heroic in the face of overwhelmingevents. [They are] what make you read through Ethel & Ernest over again.” —Christopher Lehmann-Haupt, New York Times

“Ethel & Ernest works brilliantly and artfully as an archetype. It is the author’s willingness to frame his love and anguish so piercingly that makes it such a singular piece of work. We should be grateful that Briggs is so brilliantly equipped to remind us of what we u sed to be, and why.” —Nick Hornby, New York Times Book Review

About the Author

Raymond Briggs is one of our most respected and beloved artists. Born in Wimbledon Parkin 1934, he studied at the Wimbledon School of Art and later at the Slade School of Fine Art, and went on to produce a treasure trove of work. He has created characters that are now icons for generations of children, including Fungus the Bogeyman, Father Christmas and, of course, the beloved Snowman. The biography of his parents in graphic novel form, Ethel & Ernest, became a bestseller in the UK, and an animated feature film based on the novel will be released in 2016. He has won many awards over his career including the Kurt Maschler Award, The Children's Book of the Year, Dutch Silver Pen Award, and the prestigious Kate Greenaway Award twice for his Mother Goose Nursery Treasury and Father Christmas. Raymond lives in Sussex.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Jonathan Cape; Film Tie-In edition (November 28, 2017)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 104 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1911214608
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1911214601
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8.9 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.3 x 8.9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 644 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Raymond Briggs

Raymond Briggs

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Raymond Redvers Briggs (born 18 January 1934) is an English illustrator, cartoonist, graphic novelist and author who has achieved critical and popular success among adults and children. He is best known in Britain for his story The Snowman, a book without words whose cartoon adaptation is televised and whose musical adaptation is staged every Christmas.

Briggs won the 1966 and 1973 Kate Greenaway Medals from the British Library Association, recognising the year's best children's book illustration by a British subject. For the 50th anniversary of the Medal (1955–2005), a panel named Father Christmas (1973) one of the top-ten winning works, which composed the ballot for a public election of the nation's favourite.

For his contribution as a children's illustrator Briggs was a runner-up for the Hans Christian Andersen Award in 1984.

Bio from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
644 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Richard C. Geschke
5.0 out of 5 stars It's A Wonderful Life A True Story!
Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2009
Verified Purchase
Raymond Briggs' graphic depiction of his parent's life together could be titled "It's A Wonderful Life a True Story". Mr. Briggs' talented artistry captures the true essence of his parent's life together. Utilizing more graphic depictions than actual dialogue, a true and sensitive story unfolds over a period of 41 years.
In this graphic biography, we see how life in England changes and how his parents reacted to these life altering events. The narrative is simple as we learn of Ethel and Ernest's desires and their set patterns and way of life. As a reader we get to see their true politics, biases and their take of what the world is and should be. Above all while it may show the usual marital spats, it shows a simple couple leading a simple life and above all content and happy with each other's company.
This rather simple graphic true biography was truly the best graphic book that I've read. The fact of the matter it is a true story. It can be read in one sitting. However you'll find yourself going back to it time and again. This is a true artistic classic of the graphic genre. I don't have enough Stars!!!
7 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
rochford r.
5.0 out of 5 stars Second hand but gently used- not disappointed.
Reviewed in the United States on October 20, 2019
Verified Purchase
A great find. A friend lent me a copy and I loved it so much I bought one for a gift.
It’s a grown up version of a cartoon, both humorous and at times sad. Based on the life of the author’s parents from their meeting, WW 2, and birth of their son.
The detailed illustrations capture ENGLAND during that era, and living here in the US, it was great to be reminded of the England I left behind.
Hard to find this book, so happy to get an albeit second hand, gently used hard back.
Anyone from England of a certain age will love this.
4 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Mary Ann
5.0 out of 5 stars An unforgettable graphic biography
Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2015
Verified Purchase
So many classics are now out of print but this one can still be found occasionally. Like Roz Chast's "Can We Talk About Something More Pleasant?," this sweet little bio looks back at the lives of the author's parents, in a beautiful, detailed graphic book format. Their early married life, their experiences in England during WWII, their settling into family life after the war, and their long time together. It will leave you smiling — and weeping, a little. Who is Ray Briggs? The wonderful author/illustrator of the "Father Christmas" books and "The Snowman." None better.
3 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
GB32
5.0 out of 5 stars Cor Blimey Duck!!!
Reviewed in the United States on October 14, 2021
Verified Purchase
A beautiful heartwarming story of an era gone by. My wife and I give it 2 thumbs up.
Helpful
 Report
Brigid Cahalan
5.0 out of 5 stars Learn about British history--through the eyes of everyday people!
Reviewed in the United States on November 10, 2014
Verified Purchase
I learned about this graphic memoir while editing a bibliography of graphic works of ethnic interest, and was intrigued enough to seek it out at the library. Thoroughly delightful; one feels like they are there with Briggs' parents, Ethel and Ernest, during some everyday events of their rich lives together.

It reminded me of the Classic comics I loved as a child--you were learning some history while the images enhanced the human interest aspect greatly. I bought this as a birthday present for my (Irish) sister-in-law, who grew up in England in the 1940's-1960's.
3 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Tom Kelly
4.0 out of 5 stars A Sweet Ode To Briggs' Parents
Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2002
Verified Purchase
Ethel and Ernest are two rather ordinary people. They get married around 1930, live together in the same house for 41 years, have a son, and then die the same year. Neither of them does anything more extraordinary than live and love.
And that's more than enough. Briggs' story is little more than a series of snippets of conversation and events of a long relationship. We see Ethel and Ernest bond, bicker, and regret. We see the love they have for themselves, and how they adjust over time. There's a great conversation between the two while Ernest is watching the moon landing, and Ethel just doesn't see the big deal of it all. I was greatly surprised when the story was done and I felt real sorrow for the two of them. Briggs' artwork is really moving, and displays the changing of the times on his parents very well.
This is a nice, quiet, loving character study about two people who may not have lived an exciting life, but that's probably one of the things that makes this piece of graphic literature work best. Highly recommended to all fans of serious graphic art.
9 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Steven Styers
5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful and bittersweet and true story
Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2017
Verified Purchase
This illustrated book is a lovely tribute to the artist's Mom and Dad. It's honest and bittersweet, and it's also a capsule history of England in the 20th century. In short, it is a masterpiece.
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Karen U
5.0 out of 5 stars Wasn't expecting a graphic novel. I reread the review ...
Reviewed in the United States on October 27, 2014
Verified Purchase
Wasn't expecting a graphic novel. I reread the review but didn't see an indication that it was graphic. I wouldn't have bought the book. That said, the book was an unexpected pleasure. Very well done. I passed it on to a friend from England and he found it brought back memories of his life in England.
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
aesthetic24x7
5.0 out of 5 stars Heartwarming
Reviewed in India on March 1, 2024
Verified Purchase
This is a wonderful read for every romantic old school person.
Report
MeB
5.0 out of 5 stars Breathtakingly ordinary.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 12, 2024
Verified Purchase
Every life is drama heat warming and tragic. Briggs has epitomized it here. Great literature. Honest, true, loving kind. Impressive.
Report
Marta
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful
Reviewed in Spain on March 21, 2022
Verified Purchase
Customer image
Marta
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful
Reviewed in Spain on March 21, 2022
Images in this review
Customer image Customer image Customer image Customer image
Customer imageCustomer imageCustomer imageCustomer image
Report
Lunch Lady
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Story
Reviewed in Canada on February 19, 2020
Verified Purchase
The film is also available, I got it from my library. Great story, so many things my parents had talked about growing up. It gets a little graphic at the end, so I taped those pages closed so my mom didn't read them. Excellent condition.
Report
The GoggleMan_JP
5.0 out of 5 stars 真正面から描かれた平凡
Reviewed in Japan on September 18, 2022
Verified Purchase
ちょうど１００ページ。基本的に１エピソード１〜２ページというペースで進んでいく。エピソードの中には、時間にすればほんの１分にも満たないであろうものもある。そう聞くと、およそ５０年をという歳月を描く物語としては、駆け足に過ぎるのではないかと思われるかもしれないが、決してそんなことはない。仕事と暮らし、恋愛や子育て、戦時下の現実、若さと老い、そして死。そういった場面の端々にある人生の小さなディテールが、情景を立体的に浮かび上がらせ、過不足ないばかりか、容赦無く心を掻き乱してくる。

この作品の素晴らしさは、平凡について正直なところだ。平凡な人生の中にある喜びを堂々と慈しむ一方で、煩わしさや忌々しさも隠さない。単なるノスタルジアやセンチメントになることを拒絶し、何かしら教訓めいたものを示すでも共感を誘うでもなく、ありのままを淡々と描くことに潔癖であろうとしている。故に胸を打つ。その感動は、結果に向かって直線的に連なる物語がもたらすそれとは、違う類のものだ。ひとつひとつは小さな点が集まり、大きな面になって迫ってくる感覚と言えば良いだろうか。

ブリッグス先生独特の温かみのある絵柄に油断してたら、ぺしゃんこに押し潰されてしまった。
One person found this helpful
 Report