Ten Years a Bohemian

by Émile Goudeau, Richard Robinson (Translator)

Ten Years a Bohemian (Dix ans de bohème in French), first published in 1888, is the autobiographical account of a young man, Émile Goudeau, who moves to Paris from the French countryside in the mid- to late-1870s, with high ambitions of becoming a poet. Would that it were so easy! Whimsical and endearing, it tells the story of the Bohemian life of not just one young man, but countless other struggling artists in the Belle Epoque period of Paris, many of which artists are now famous (and more not) – a whoʼs who of sculptors, painters, musicians, performers, poets, writers, and comedians, you name it – living, struggling, drinking, laughing, – somehow managing to survive, with stiff upper lips and on shoe-string budgets – in the Latin Quarter and Montmartre.

Émile Goudeau, a recognized poet, is best known today as the founder the Hydropaths Club, a wildly-successful literary club in Paris from 1878-1880, and subsequently as the influential editor-in-chief of the Chat Noir journal, eponymous mouthpiece and vehicle for the world-famous cabaret, which he helped found with Rodolphe Salis. Rodolphe Salis, the “gentleman cabaret owner,” often gets the credit for the idea of the Chat Noir journal and cabaret – but after one reads this story, one will quickly realize that the true genius behind both of them is probably... Émile Goudeau, poet, editor, journalist, novelist, and finally... shepherd, in Asnières.

193 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1888

Reviews

[Richard Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

For those who cannot read French, or would prefer it in English, there is no available an English language translation of this excellent memoir by Goudeau: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

[Richard Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting and entertaining read. Goudeau has a light touch, a nice style, and either an excellent memory or took good notes. These are his memories or rather memoirs from a period of time in Paris that does not exist anymore, sadly. Lots of information and tidbits on many of the artists who later became quite well known (Salis, Rollinat, Richepin, Bourget, Willette, Cabriol, Sapeck, etc.).

Some of the escapades he was a part of are just downright hilarious. For instance, when he lives for a while in a Blanquist phalanstery. Also interesting is the light (ever so dim) that he sheds on the women and muses who are the objects of some of his poetry in Flowers of Bitumen (e.g., Nini).

I was surprised, a little disappointed, but also not surprised that there is no mention -- not a word, -- about his fiery arch-Catholic cousin, Léon Bloy. Would have made for some good reading to hear what happened at the Chat Noir in the months just preceding Goudeau's leaving it. Ah, well. I suppose his silence says it all.

I highly recommend reading it for those interested in the period -- very informative, and entertaining.

I should probably mention that I translated it.