Michel Tournier was a French writer whose works are highly regarded for their deep exploration of the fantastic. Drawing inspiration from traditional German culture, Catholicism, and the philosophies of Gaston Bachelard, his writing offers a unique and original perspective. His distinctive style and compelling narratives have cemented his place as a significant literary voice.
This novel follows the passage of strange, gentle Abel Tiffauges from submissive schoolboy to adult misfit - a man without a sense of belonging until he finds himself a prisoner of war, and then a teacher, and then the 'ogre' of a Nazi school at the castle of Kaltenborn.
The story presents a captivating retelling of the Robinson Crusoe legend through the eyes of a god-fearing Crusoe who strives to reshape a tropical island into a reflection of his lost civilization. His solitary efforts are challenged when Friday, a mulatto, arrives and introduces him to the idea that life holds greater value beyond the confines of civilization. This enchanting narrative explores themes of isolation, cultural clash, and the quest for meaning, showcasing the transformative power of companionship and different perspectives.
The narrative delves into the journeys of the traditional Magi to Bethlehem, introducing an imaginative fourth Magus, Taor, a prince from Mangalore. Driven by his passion for a delicious confection, he embarks on a quest across Western Asia, ultimately ending up imprisoned in a salt mine in Sodom. Through his hardships, Taor not only uncovers the coveted recipe but also discovers profound insights about Jesus and redemption. This tale intertwines themes of longing, transformation, and the search for meaning in life's challenges.
Exploring themes of innocence, perversion, and obsession, the narrative follows Abel Tiffauges as he transforms from a submissive schoolboy to an "ogre" within the Nazi regime at Kaltenborn. This gripping tale delves into the unsettling depths of fascism, offering a harrowing yet captivating perspective. As Abel confronts his mystic fate amid the crumbling Third Reich, the story maintains a spellbinding intensity that resonates with readers, making it a significant literary achievement recognized by the Prix Goncourt.
The story revolves around identical twins Jean and Paul, whose unique connection creates an impenetrable bond that alienates them from the outside world. Their relationship is so intimate that they communicate in a private language, embodying a harmonious unity that blurs the lines of typical sibling dynamics. This innocence in their closeness raises questions about identity and love, as they navigate a world that struggles to differentiate between them.
In ''The Fetishist,'' a collection of 14 widely different short texts, Mr. Tournier demonstrates what a literary artist can do in the concentrated form of the story, tale or novella. Whether he stylizes a concrete situation or derives plots from an abstract idea (he shuttles back and forth between the two formulas), Mr. Tournier produces dramatic narratives whose impact is directly related to the economy of means. The ''knot of hatred'' that leads a dwarf to kill the beautiful woman whose lover he has become, the obsession with women's underwear that leads the fetishist to acts of violence, the lethal artistic experiments of the photographer - these are some of the situations Mr. Tournier exploits to illustrate how the literary craft can at the same time project and tame an omnipresent irrationality.
