Les Cahiers du capitaine Georges: Souvenirs d'amour et de guerre

by J. Renoir

Original title: Les Cahiers du Capitaine Georges
Translated from French by Norman Denny

320 pages, Pocket Book

First published February 23, 1966

Reviews

[Paul Secor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this a number of years ago. Opened it today and realized that I'd forgotten that my copy is signed by Jean Renoir.
Can't remember for the life of me where or how I got it, but I'm glad it's here.

[Pascale · Rating 3 out of 5]

A strange love-story between a cavalry officer and a married prostitute with a staunch belief in God and the sanctity of marriage. Georges, the only son of ambitious members of the upper bourgeoisie, is destined to marry above his station in order to climb up in society. However, much to his surprise he gradually falls deeply in love with Agnes, a peasant girl who virtually accepted to be sold by her husband to a brothel owner, because said husband had set his sight on buying a hardware store, and needed the capital. For 10 years, Agnes doesn't hear anything from Emilien, and in spite of her initial discomfort at violating one of the 10 commandments, she is very happy with Georges. They make it through the Great War, and their strange liaison is more or less accepted by everybody, even the officer's parents. However, Georges, who wants to marry Agnes, can't leave well alone, and moves heaven and earth to find out what has become of Emilien, in the hope of course that he is dead. Failing that, Georges intends to bribe him to accept money to obtain an annulment of the marriage, since Agnes won't hear of a divorce. But lo and behold, Emilien has prospered and bought his hardware store. He's genuinely grateful to Georges for getting in touch since he is keen resume life with his wife, whom he desperately need as a cashier for his business. Between her conscience and her inclination, Agnes doesn't hesitate one second: she follows Emilien. After a few short years, she dies of consumption, leaving Georges even more adrift than before. I'm not sure why this story is set within a frame. The framing narrative involving a dog-breeder who received the confidences of Captain Georges felt rather superfluous to me. But the story itself is rather gripping, and Renoir seems to know his stuff when he describes the complementary worlds of the garrison and the brothel. Maybe it's as a document about a totally France that this book works best.

[David W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Books are all very well, but they're no substitute for flesh and blood."