21st Century Literature discussion
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The Adversary
2/21 The Adversary
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The Adversary - whole book with spoilers
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I'm in. I have finished the book and am waiting till others catch up before commenting. This was the first book I read by Carrere, though I have been meaning to read his biography on Philip K. Dick, Not giving anything away, the book can be the focus of stylistic, philosophical, psychological, and sociological interpretation or discussion. Looking forward to comments.
I also have finished this book, it shocked me (I am a classic-type book lover ) but I am glad that I read the book. Yes, let’s wait for others to finish.
I'm in as well. Yes, the situation is shocking. It seems less likely than most of the fiction works we've been reading. I too would like to read the Dick bio. Imagine being immersed in Dick's world and finding THIS happening on your doorstep!
P.S. I found a copy at Archive.org . It's not widely available in libraries.
I made quite a lot of headway in my reread yesterday. I am wondering what others think of the writing. At some points the author is right there and at others he's quite remote, basically relaying testimony. At about 100 pages in, I get the impression he has not had direct discussions with Jean-Claude other than a letter.
I agree with Ang. This was an interesting book because of the author's choosing to state his personal involvement with the murderer. Afterwards though, and through much of the book, he is reportorial, almost aloof from opinion even when a fact is begging for comment. I also thought I perceived a glint of an apologetic tone from the author for having chosen this subject. I think there is a shift in the end though with more of the author's opinion revealed. What I think results from the author's approach combined with the subject and rationale for the culprits behavior makes for a more horrifying story.
I just finished this, and here are my somewhat disorganized thoughts right off the bat: I agree with you, Sam, about the facts left begging for comment, e.g. JCR’s sentenced to prison to be released in 2015 “If all goes well”- no other comment despite the fact that JCR has murdered his entire family.
I have to admit I didn’t care for the “I did a bad thing, went to prison and got religion” ending.
Possibly the author moves back and forth between a reportorial and a more personally-involved style because he isn’t sure how much he’s been lied to/how much he fell for? I agree that it made for a creepier book to learn that the author corresponded with JRC multiple times, and that he addressed him as “Dear ____”.
I did appreciate the frustrated comment (can’t find the exact quote right now) that the book would only serve to make JRC famous - which I guess it has, since I assume I’m not the only one who’d never heard of him before!
It is as though you discover that the appliance in your basement is not a water heater, but an atomic bomb. The distant tone is a reflection of how close Carrere was to the murderer. Yes, the tone shifts: Carrere is VERY uncertain about what relation he should maintain. Yes, the ending is as unsettling as the beginning; FYI, (according to Wikipedia) The appeals court in Bourges granted Romand parole in 2019 after he had been imprisoned for 26 years.[6] He was given to the custody of a nearby Benedictine monastery and had an electronic bracelet placed on him to ensure he did not try to escape.
Evidently the electronic bracelet is for two years, so presumably in a couple months he will be able to roam free. I'm afraid I didn't believe any of the sob story and have no sympathy with his position. Someone that skilled at deception would not suddenly start telling the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
Ang wrote: "Evidently the electronic bracelet is for two years, so presumably in a couple months he will be able to roam free. I'm afraid I didn't believe any of the sob story and have no sympathy with his pos..."Exactly.
Margaret wrote: "Possibly the author moves back and forth between a reportorial and a more personally-involved style because he isn’t sure how much he’s been lied to/how much he fell for? I agree that it made for a creepier book to learn that the author corresponded with JRC multiple times, and that he addressed him as “Dear ____"I think you are right here. The author expresses doubt a few times (not enough times for my liking, but perhaps he's keeping options open for a follow up.)
He does mention the increased familiarity and friendliness in moving from "Dear Monsiur Romand" to "Dear Jean-Claude Romand" but points out that he couldn't go as far as "Dear Jean-Claude". He is keeping himself separate from the prison visitors in his writing, but I think they thought he was in full agreement with them and he let them think he was (I do not have a problem with that - it's the way to get the story.) But the question by Marie-France - "Why would he lie?" shows her complete gullibility. She is a gift to Jean-Claude in ways she is unaware of, I think.
Mark wrote: "I'm in as well. Yes, the situation is shocking. It seems less likely than most of the fiction works we've been reading."Much less likely, I agree. It's one thing being able to deceive your best friend and your wife for almost two decades about what your job is, but when they're both in similar work? (They were all in med school together.) It's truly incredible. Luc especially must have felt extremely foolish.
I am curious about Carrerre's novel Class Trip which he writes before The Adversary. J-C tells Carrerre that it describes his childhood. Who knows what really represents his childhood; it may have just given him some of his testimony.
If anyone is monitoring this, I just watched a DVD of his film, La Moustache. It brings back the unsettling feeling of simultaneously watching a clear story and being totally at sea. I'm glad I found it.
Interesting, Mark. I will have a look for it.
I have read this book before but I am reading it again to refresh my memory. It's short and easy going, though there are a lot of names.
Let me know if you're intending to join in. Thank you!