Mateo Falcone

The story depicts a tragedy of morals in Corsica at the time of the Napoleonic Wars. A paternal punishment, a picturesque vision of the sacrifice of Isaac in the name, this time, of island honour. Mérimée said: "I only like anecdotes in history" - here, the variation is that of a masculine story of infamy. The plot is as follows: Mateo Falcone, a respectable landowner, goes out for the day with his wife, leaving his only male child, the very young Fortunato, alone. In the absence of his parents, Fortunato wanders and basks in the sun - moments of contemplation and carefree happiness until the frightening arrival of Gianetto, a fugitive. Gianetto asks Fortunato to hide him. The young boy accepts, in exchange for a five-franc piece. show more Then soldiers arrive, who in turn offer Fortunato a better deal: a watch whose metallic shine immediately seduces him. Father Falcone returns in time to discover the son's betrayal, Gianetto's curse, and considers his son's greed a dishonor. show less

Je renoue avec les nouvelles de Prosper Mérimée, des classiques qui ne m’avaient pas impressionnée lorsque je les ai lus au lycée. Cette nouvelle est intéressante, sans plus, et il m’est difficile de développer. Plume classique, descriptions engageantes. Mais une histoire qui m’a parue convenue, un brin caricaturale, voire condescendante, pour ces Corses fiers au delà de toute mesure, ces Corses vivant dans les maquis, et j’en passe. Je dis rarement cela, mais voilà un texte qui me semble avoir mal vieilli, et je ne change donc pas l’opinion que je m’étais faite de cet auteur il y a quelques décennies, tant pis.