Jean Dutourd (1920–2011)

Imaginative but dated story about a boy born with a dog's head. Although one of the major themes in the book is the unity and brotherhood of all people and even animals, Dutourd still felt it necessary to use the n-word in a highly derogatory manner. I realize that this was the 1950's, but the story should and could have risen above this.

A french novel published in 1950, but I read the English translation made in 1951. Jean Dutourd had his first book published in 1946 and went on to write prolifically until 2008. I have not read any other books by him. According to wiki on July 14 1978 a bomb destroyed his apartment planted by people who disliked his writing style but this incident had a happy consequence, as he was elected to the Académie française.

I really do not know quite what to make of this book which is of novella show more length. It tells a simple story, if a simple story could be told of a man who was born into a wealthy family with the head of a spaniel. His father M Du Chillu works hard to protect his son Edmond in ways that will not disgrace his family, but there is no love and his mother finds it difficult to look at him. Edmond grows up as best he can and at school learns to cope with the jokes that are made about him. He does his military service, where he is bullied by the sergeant major, but gets on well with the squaddies. Once out of the army his family have enjoyed life so much without him that his father stuffs a wad of money into his pocket and says he is now on his own...........

The story is told from Edmond's point of view as he tries to make the best of his life and buys a dog for company, this does not work well. Edmond who apart from his head is a perfectly formed young man with a likeable personality and as the story develops Edmond has to work out whether he can be accepted as a human being, or whether he should lean more towards the world of the canine. Jean Dutourd touches on issues concerning Edmonds acceptance into the world of men, but this does not seem to be the meat of the book, there is no biting satire, it has the feeling of a fantasy or a comedy and maybe aimed at a younger readership. 3 stars. show less

A classic when you have some interest for the literary forms and aspects. The Story of Jacques et son Maitre is just a support. Nothing else. A support to question the rules of the tale. What if I seemed to know you were reading me? Would I write something else? Would I change my story to serve your pleasure? What if my conscience of your existence was just an other part of the tale? What if the tale was just a vertiginous prospect with no end?

Une dystopie avant l'heure : la gauche prend le pouvoir mais grâce au ciel tout s'arrange, on rappelle le président de la République qui était relégué à l'ile d'Yeu..
Malgré tout Dutourd a des lucidités et il est souvent drôle.