The Mercy of God (French: La Pitié de Dieu) is a 1961 novel by the French writer Jean Cau. It tells the story of four murderers—a doctor, a boxer, a workman and a gambler—who share a prison cell and tell their respective stories. An English translation by Richard Howard was published in 1963.[1]
 | |
| Author | Jean Cau |
|---|---|
| Original title | La Pitié de Dieu |
| Translator | Richard Howard |
| Language | French |
| Publisher | Éditions Gallimard |
Publication date | 29 September 1961 |
| Publication place | France |
Published in English | 1963 |
| Pages | 275 |
The novel was awarded the Prix Goncourt.[2]
Reception
editHans Koningsberger of The Saturday Review called the book "a splendid novel", and wrote: "The tradition of the book is very Sartrian and very French[.] Cau has continued and greatly contributed to this pattern rather than emulated it. The formula may sound pat, the book is fresh and original." The critic continued: "I objected, at least in this translation, to the similarity in speech between four men of such vastly different background, but, apart from that—a minor point—this novel deserves nothing but praise."[3]
References
edit- ^ The mercy of God. OCLC 837862. Retrieved 2015-08-12 – via WorldCat.
- ^ Denis, Jeambar (2003-05-15). "Jean Cau sur le pont". L'Express (in French). Retrieved 2015-08-12.
- ^ Koningsberger, Hans (1963-06-03). The Saturday Review. p. 25.
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External links
edit- Publicity page at Éditions Gallimard's website