Author: Andre Gide
Year: 1911
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Genres/categories:
Fiction, Classic
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ISBNs:
9782070360185
2070360180 |
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Andre Gide is a very famous French author. He was the recipient of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1947. The Pastoral Symphony (in French, La Symphonie Pastorale) was one of his more famous novels and was originally published in 1919. While translating this novel I thought it would make an excellent subject for a movie. I subsequently looked it up, and sure enough, a film was produced by the same name in France in 1946 in the French language. This film won the top prize, Le Grand Prix (equivalent to the Palme d'Or), in that year at the Cannes Film Festival.
This story is set in the late 1890's which at first glace might make one feel that the story is outdated. No one in the modern world would have any trouble recognizing the emotions of the characters, however, which are timeless. A modern film version of the story would be quite compelling to today's audiences.
A Protestant pastor who lives in the Alps of Switzerland almost stumbles upon a blind girl who is about to become an orphan since her aunt just died. The aunt was deaf and never spoke, so the blind girl also seemed to be deaf and speechless as well. The pastor feels that God has called him to care for this child, and he decides to take her home with him. This causes not only consternation in his household but the unfolding of many other events as well. I don't wish to give too much away here, as it could detract from the storyline and the surprises it brings. The book is short, so any interested reader will not have to wait long to discover what unfolds. Be aware that blindness is a major theme of this story in more ways than one. Coming to grips with one's emotions is also another major idea explored. I hope readers enjoy this translation of a classic French novel by a Nobel Laureate.
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