Polynesian Utopia's Contrarian: Jean Meckert
News Article: Jean Meckert's "The Virgin and the Bull" Reprinted in Arcanes Collection
Jean Meckert's novel "The Virgin and the Bull" (originally published in French as La Vierge et le Taureau), first published in 1971, is now available in a reprinted edition from Joëlle Losfeld as part of the Arcanes collection.
Set in the exotic locale of Polynesia, the 350-page novel tells a captivating story of an impossible love between a Sunday painter named Honoré and a queen of the silver screen. Far from being a portrayal of a dream vacation, the setting serves as a backdrop for a sordid and deceitful story that exposes the dark side of paradise, colonialism, the exotic illusion, and the hidden shadow of radioactive fallout.
The narrative delves deep into the world of bullfighting, a symbol of human struggle against nature and a metaphor for larger human conflicts, including fate, mortality, and the clash between civilization and barbarism. Meckert's writing is known for its realism and psychological depth, providing a vivid portrayal of the characters' internal and external battles.
Meckert's work was influenced by the social and political upheavals of his era, including the Spanish Civil War and the post-World War II atmosphere in Europe. His depiction of bullfighting is not just a celebration of the spectacle but also a critique of its violence and the societal values it reflects.
Stéphanie Delestre and Hervé Delouche have highlighted "The Virgin and the Bull" as a significant work in their preface to the reprint. They consider the book a "curiosity," committing to a subtle reprint of the unpublished and unobtainable works of this remarkable writer discovered by Raymond Queneau and André Gide.
The book is available for purchase at a price of 18 €. For those interested in exploring a dramatic, symbolic narrative with a critical eye on cultural traditions, "The Virgin and the Bull" offers a compelling read.
Readers intrigued by provocative narratives and symbolic entertainment may find interest in Jean Meckert's reprinted novel, "The Virgin and the Bull". This work, considered a "curiosity" by Stéphanie Delestre and Hervé Delouche, showcases an intricate tale of forbidden love set against the backdrop of bullfighting, offering a captivating exploration of human conflicts as well as cultural traditions, all for a price of 18 €.
