Innocent
by Gérard Depardieu
Finally, the first of Gérard Depardieu’s books to be translated into English! As much as I would have loved to have read his earlier works, my French isn’t that good, so this review will be of the English-translated version of Innocent.
A collection of essays centering on different topics, Gérard speaks his mind to his readers as if they asked his opinion on certain topics and he talked to them over a glass of wine at dinner. He has a very conversation tone, in keeping with the title, and he stresses the important of maintaining one’s innocence to be able to enjoy life to the fullest. He tells readers in one essay that he will live as long as he remains curious about life, people, and everything new. With everything he’s been through, it’s important for his fans to know what keeps him going, when others who’ve lived through such tragedy would have given up long ago. And let’s face it, if you’re not a fan, you won’t buy a copy of this book.
Rainer J. Hanshe’s translation is extremely literal, which has its ups and downs. The benefit of such a translation is that readers can get as close to what Gérard would have told us in French. However, the downside is that sometimes the word order is a little odd. For example, one essay is entitled “Cinema, It’s That, Too,” which in French would be a poetic phrase but in English doesn’t have the same effect.
Since I’m a huge fan, I’m glad I read this book. I have a beloved copy of Paul Chutkow’s biography, Depardieu, and learned quite a bit about how he was in 1994. Innocent was published in 2017, after enormous changes to his life. He has changed, but isn’t that to be expected? If you love him as much as I do, you’ll probably shed a tear while reading the last couple of essays.
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of Paul Chutkow's biography Depardieu here!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's reviews of Gérard Depardieu's films here!
A collection of essays centering on different topics, Gérard speaks his mind to his readers as if they asked his opinion on certain topics and he talked to them over a glass of wine at dinner. He has a very conversation tone, in keeping with the title, and he stresses the important of maintaining one’s innocence to be able to enjoy life to the fullest. He tells readers in one essay that he will live as long as he remains curious about life, people, and everything new. With everything he’s been through, it’s important for his fans to know what keeps him going, when others who’ve lived through such tragedy would have given up long ago. And let’s face it, if you’re not a fan, you won’t buy a copy of this book.
Rainer J. Hanshe’s translation is extremely literal, which has its ups and downs. The benefit of such a translation is that readers can get as close to what Gérard would have told us in French. However, the downside is that sometimes the word order is a little odd. For example, one essay is entitled “Cinema, It’s That, Too,” which in French would be a poetic phrase but in English doesn’t have the same effect.
Since I’m a huge fan, I’m glad I read this book. I have a beloved copy of Paul Chutkow’s biography, Depardieu, and learned quite a bit about how he was in 1994. Innocent was published in 2017, after enormous changes to his life. He has changed, but isn’t that to be expected? If you love him as much as I do, you’ll probably shed a tear while reading the last couple of essays.
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of Paul Chutkow's biography Depardieu here!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's reviews of Gérard Depardieu's films here!