Romain Gary, le caméléon

by Myriam Anissimov

Rare Book

Genres: Nonfiction

1056 pages, Pocket Book

First published October 5, 2006

Reviews

[Michael Finocchiaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book when I discovered the incredible books of Romain Gary aka Emile Ajar. For the non-French reader of this review, the French Pulitzer is called the Goncourt and can only be given once in the lifetime of an author. Since he had already won a Goncourt for the excellent (and incredibly visionary first-ever environmentalist) Les Racines du Ciel, he used a pseudonym for several wonderful comic masterpieces and won a second Goncourt for the totally amazing La Vie Devant Soi - it was only confirmed after his death that he was indeed both Emile and Romain! (Sad footnote: current editions of La Vie Devant Soi note Romain Gary as the author now. I prefer the more legendary and poetic name of Emile Ajar!) I wanted to know more about this crazy rebellious genius who was a Lithuanian Jew saved from the Holocaust by his mother who flew missions for DeGaulle while writing his first book, Education Européen. Needless to say, his life was as fascinating as his writing. This biography is highly readable and very entertaining and a must if you wish to see the man behind the books.
For those who haven't read this author, please read La Vie Devant Soi (The Life Before Us) - it is one of the most tender and beautiful comic novels what you will ever have the privilege of reading I assure you.