Les Enfants terribles Unknown Binding – 1 Jan. 1929

This is a novella by Avante-garde writer, playwright etc Cocteau in 1929 apparently over a week whilst he was coming off opium. The story is about orphaned brother Paul aged 14 and older sister Elisabeth aged16 who live with the soon to die bed-bound mother. They play a sibling-rivalry game, perhaps representing life, of, in essence, who can wind the other up the most and have the last word; mainly in the `Room' but does extend outside. They are provided funds by friend Gerard's rich uncle and the nice doctor. The dynamic starts when Gerarde fancies Elisabeth and new entrant model Agathe fancies sickly Paul. Paul may also fancy a boy called Dragelos.This is a strange, fanciful story which is well written and interspersed with some interesting sparse pen-line drawings by the author. The ending is clever and sharp but to get the most out of it one must remember the basis of the story (as the thrust of the action, e.g. poison collecting, might, as in my case, mean you get a bit `distracted').Some quotes:"The play began. But not one of the protagonists, it must be remembered, was consciously concerned with make-believe. In their archaic unawareness their play became legend of eternal youth. Without their knowing it, the play - the Room-swung on the edge of myth""Elizabeth has chosen him, not for his fortune or his animal spirits or his well-cut suits; not even for his sex-appeal; it was for his death that she had chosen him"I usually find that quick reads tend to do well for scores and Les Enfants is no exception. Easily 4 stars.

A little masterpiece made easy but with some intelligence and sensitivity. The French is manageable for one with O level c.1971

Historic

Very French, very Cocteau. Dreamy and intense and self-absorbed (both the characters and the story). Surprisingly plotty too, and part of me felt that the revelations and twists in the second half were a little melodramatic, but the mood is sustained and memorable.Horrible people I'd never want to meet, but they're fun to read about for 150 pages.

Although it took me a few pages to warm to Cocteau's ocasioanlly overdone prose, there is no denying the power of this novella.Paul and Lise play "The Game" brilliantly, and follow it to a conclusion that in less sure hands would be melodramic but stays with you after reading.Cocteau understands the mindset of children- perhaps people in geneal- on a fundamental level and has written a superb lttle book.