Georges Duhamel (1884–1966)

"Etes-vous, parmi nous, a ce point étrangere" Jean Racine

There is a lot more detail here than in the previous books. We enter the world of intellectuals, artists and thespians. This allows Duhamel to introduce a range of new characters, in addition to the ones we have already met. I trust that my review may reassure any reader who has not followed the Pasquier chronicle that this book can be read in isolation without spoiling the reader's enjoyment. For example, the reader may be encouraged to go back to the first in the series (Le Notaire du Havre) to follow up Laurent's reference to his childhood friend Désiree Wasselin.

From the title we would reasonably expect Cécile to figure prominently. This she does although she does not appear in every scene. The earlier chapters are concerned with her brother Joseph's clandestine involvement in the debate about the apparent use of explosive bullets is the Balkan war between Turkey and Bulgaria. (It is the first quarter of 1913).

Cécile does not wish to enter the debate (she detests the "men of ideas") but her husband, Richard Fauvet does. Joseph's involvement is to further his business interests (Laurent tells his old friend Justin Weill, that "Joseph is everywhere"). Richard is an intellectual, who surrounded by his devoted coterie, decries sentimentality and advocates pure rigorous examination of any subject that interests the group.

Richard and Cecile are not kindred spirits and share only their name, occupying separate rooms in their shared apartment. It is a continual puzzle to Laurent and Justin as to how they came together. Subject to asthma and other maladies, Richard pursues his interest in other women. One particular dalliance will trigger a chain of events and lead to a fateful conclusion.

We witness intimate conversations between Richard and Cécile in which she coolly responds to his taunts). He insists on calling her "Athene" and using the non-familiar "vous".

We do see Cécile the pianist when she mentors her four young pupils of varying ability. Later, the family attend her concert where Cécile appears to be distracted and loses her composure. This is the trigger for a series of events which will form the climax of the book.

Cécile's relationship with her brother, Laurent, is strained by his attempts to confide his anxieties as he used to do when they were children. Later she has urgent need of his medical skills.

Another abiding relationship is that between Laurent and Justin Weill. Their worlds are diverging as Laurent's career as a biologist and savant progresses, and Justin the poet is still seeking his place in the world. Cécile is again the link as we know from the previous books that Justin wishes he could have married her and he still maintains an interest in her wellbeing.

Suzanne, Cécile's younger sister, has established her career on the stage. Increasingly attractive, her looks and charm are exerting a dangerous affect on younger and older men.

So we come to the opening chapter in the book, Cécile has the child she has longed for, Alexandre, 25 months old. She values him above all else, even her triumphs as a confirmed international pianist. She has been married for 3 years.
We also learn that Dr Raymond Pasquier intends to write a masterpiece, and confides this momentous news to Laurent while instructing him not to mention this to his mother.

Read on and enjoy.… (más)

The chapters are arranged as letters from Laurent Pasquier to his old friend Justin Weill and cover the period 21 September 1908 to April 1909. Laurent is fully occupied with his research in the laboratory of M.Chalgrin and has also secured a place for Jean-Paul Sénac as the professor's secretary.

We are reintroduced to the Pasquier clan at an exceptional reunion during which Joseph makes a surprising announcement. Joseph is now 34 but still a "fine beast". Ferdinand has put on weight, but Claire remains small and fragile.
They are both tortured by fear of illness. Cécile is present, also Suzanne, now aged 17, and her beauty worries Laurent and attracts Testevel. Only Hélene (Joseph's wife) is absent.

Laurent's refuge from family problems is his work in the laboratory and he aspires to "breath the breath of heroes" as per Romain Rolland. He knows he cannot approach such great people as Rodin or Annatole France but names those of his acquaintance who inspire his enthusiasm as Roux, Chalgrin, Richet, Rohner. The last-named (Nicholas Rohner) will have a significant influence on Laurent's life when he joins that illustrious person as a poorly paid lab assistant while also working for M.Chalgrin. A clue perhaps to the book's title for Laurent must now obey two masters who are opposed in temperament and scientific attitude. The corrosive nature of this dispute is the tragic climax of this chronicle.

In my opinion this volume is more substantial in detail and drama than any previously and perhaps reflects Duhamel's knowledge of the medical world.
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25 Oct 2022… (más)

January 1907, four young men wander towards the small town of Bievres. Rain during the morning and night approaching, a cold wind causes them to fasten their coats which show they are poor, either students or working in a junior position. It is unclear as to their purpose and identity.

Gradually we learn that Arman Larseneur is the largest and most robust. The smallest member urging them on is Justin Weill so we expect that Laurent Pasquier will be nearby. The fourth member, Bernard Jusserand, is tall with a thin face and narrow shoulders.

Justin urges them on despite various protestations and they arrive at the boundary of a large park in which there is a spacious but dilapidated house. Justin informs the group that the property has been available to rent for the last four years. He knows the house and explains the layout of the rooms and their prospective functions. Each member has their individual requirements, Jusserand suffers from rheumatism and Larseneur needs a music room. As night falls the four friends find their way to the station at Bievres and crowd together in an ancient carriage.

These four will be joined by others whose aim is to live in freedom away from the dictates of everyday society and pursue artistic ideals. But as Justin remarks to Larseneur "Le fond du probleme est simple. D'abord il nous faut de l'argent."

Justin and an already off-colour Laurent meet with Jean-Paul Sénac at a -second-hand clothing store where Justin urges Jean-Paul to dress suitably to meet prospective clients. Later they meet with Testevel who introduces them to Gabriel Monmerqué. He is the "fixer" who can arrange for them to have the services of Jules Picquenard, an artisan printer, for it has been decided that the introduction of a printing press will be a means of generating income. (The printing press is later installed and generates for the reader a range of printing vocabulary which does not explain the mysterious mechanics of this arcane art.)

The group of seven, now with the addtion of Brénugat the painter meet in Testevel's rooms to celebrate the formation of the "Imprimerie de Désert". Both Brénugat and Jusserand are married, and the painter has a young daughter. The women will live with them in the house.

Justin is alarmed to see that Laurent is shivering violently and summons a cab to take them to Laurent's parents who now reside in a large building at the intersection of "quai d'Austerlitz" and "boulevard de la Gare". Laurent knows the cause of his illness but cannot tell Justin. Laurent's father (now 62) and his mother nurse their son through the crisis. They are visited by M.Jean Hermel who has succeeded Renaud Censier at the laboratory of the hospital Beucicaut. Justin needs a long recuperation and during this time the rental is agreed for the house.

This is an outline of the first five chapters but cannot adequately represent the way that Duhamel gradually builds up pictures of the various contrasting and sometimes vehemently opposed characters.

The other Pasquier members appear at times: Cécile (now 24( is on a concert tour of North America and her return coincides with a summer fete which is the high point of their year at Bievres. During this event Suzanne plays the part of Sylvia and we have a first glimpse of her allure over "les jeunes gens". Laurent knows his sister well an observes that the is only capable of playing herself.

Joseph is honest about his desire to make money "J'excece la pauveté." and has to intervene when his father, incorrigible as ever, assaults an officer of the law. Laurent has already received a letter from Joseph reminding Laurent that he owes Joseph 1488 frans and some centimes, interest now standing at 498 francs.… (más)

December 1918, Laurent writing in his preface, has received a letter from Mrs Simone Weill, mother of his long-time friend Justin. She has forwarded Justin's journal of the events of 1905. The journal was written by Justin while on active service and later in hospital, and may have been his first attempts to become a novelist. She notes that Justin writes in the third person and Laurent recognises that certain events and relationships would not have been clear to Justin at that time. Accordingly Laurent proposes to use the journal as a basis for the subsequent account while arranging the content in a coherent order and keeping the use of the third person to maintain an objective view.

At Joseph's request, Laurent accompanies him, supposedly as his secretary, to a visit with M.Urbain Leveque. Joseph, who is now a recognised figure at the "Bourse" represents the interests of the "Societé hydroélectrique de la Rommage" and needs to influence the official to aid approval for a scheme to construct a dam across "L'Augren". This is an opportunity for Laurent (and the reader) to see Joseph in his natural element. Afterwards Joseph explains to Laurent the skill and temperament required to be a successful financier, adding that their differences are not of brothers who are enemies but rather who are strangers to one another.

Joseph asks Laurent to introduce him to Renaud Censier, the celebrated senior scientist at the hospital laboratory where Laurent works alongside a small team including the young female researcher, Laure. It becomes clear during the book that Censier at 52 is attracted to the youthful Laure who admires his intellect.

Laurent invites his friend Justin Weill to accompany him to visit the Pasquier family who are in the process of moving to their new lodgings in "le faubourg Saint-Antoine". When Joseph arrives he announces that he has bought a mansion named on the papers as "les Aubiers" and he needs a more personal name. Justin suggests "La Paquelleries" and this is welcomed by Joseph, who now invites the whole family, and Justin, to attend a house-warming to take place during the midsummer week.

The subsequent gathering at "La Paquelleries" by the whole family and illustrious guests is to satisfy "l'orgueil-de-Joseph" and, unbeknown to them, an opportunity for Joseph to hopefully impress those who can further his above business project.

So the cast assembles at Joseph's spacious home (only one of his three properties). We meet again Ferdinand and his wife Claire ("l'abime Ferdiclaire" per Justin), Mme Pasquier (still sewing), Dr Raymond Pasquier, smiling, mercurial and apt to disappear for three hours without explanation, Cécile now an international concert pianist and Suzanne developing into a ravishing beauty (who attracts the attention of a famous painter invited by Joseph to add artistic weight to the gathering).

The novelist has the licence to explore the innermost thoughts of those present. While Joseph is most anxious that all his guests are suitably impressed, and Mme P is concerned that there were thirteen places set for lunch, the guests themselves have their own pressing concerns, passions and intimate dramas which eclipse all other matters.

So how to rate this the fourth volume in the "Chronique des Pasquiers"? To my mind there is not as much dramatic action as in the previous volumes as anyone having read the first three will encounter well-established characters although there are several fresh faces. The interest lies in the skilful interplay between the guests and examination of the relationships between Ferdinand/Claire, Censier/Laure, Laurent/Cécile/Justin. Still a worthwhile read and necessary as another step in development of the family history.… (más)