The Selected Writings of Jean Genet

by Jean Genet, Edmund White (Editor)

Excerpts from the novels, plays, and poems of the French convict, prostitute, and literary artist join notes from his film, The Penal Colony , letters, essays, and a rare interview, all edited by a contemporary biographer.

Genres: Poetry, Fiction, LGBT, Essays, Classics, Short Stories, French Literature

480 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1993

About the author

Jean Genet was a French novelist, playwright, poet, essayist, and political activist. In his early life he was a vagabond and petty criminal, but he later became a writer and playwright. His work, much of it considered scandalous when it first appeared, is now placed among the classics of modern literature and has been translated and performed throughout the world.

Reviews

[Amanda Davenport · Rating 1 out of 5]

it's fun to call him jean genet ramsey. at least it is for me

[Sasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

The little bits in the middle (his letters to Java, a couple rare essays) make this collection worthwhile to flip through, or get from a library, but you are still much better off just buying any novel or play by him. A good book to see what he's about.

[Christian Harder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant, prescient, French. Fine translation. Romanticism checked by violence and politics.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The compilation of his notes on cinema are pretty solid. And the Memoir segment I really enjoyed; the prose just rolls easily from one recollection to the next. Genet, you're so dreamy.

[claire 💋 · Rating 2 out of 5]

only read “the balcony” for a school play. thought it was really weird idk man

[Mads Kamp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review in Danish of some of Genet's essays:

Læs den!

https://www.læsden.dk/wp/index.php/20...

[Jenni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good selected. Includes fiction, poetry, plays, essays, memoirs, letters. My favorite is "The Thief's Journal."

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This took me nearly three months to read (interspersed with other books), and I skipped the plays because I had already read them.