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Navarre, Yves (Translated by Howard Girven) : Cronus' Children

John Calder, London, England, 1986

ISBN 0714540137

First Edition / First Printing. Fine in Fine Dust Jacket. 319 pages. The author's breakthrough second novel. Now considered a late-modern classic. The first appearance of the title in English and in the United Kingdom. Published in a small and limited first print run as a hardcover original only. There is no American Edition. The First Edition is now scarce. Presents Yves Navarre's "Cronus' Children" in a felicitous English translation. Elegant, thoughtful, and deeply tragic. The novel plays infinite variations on the story of Cronus, the Titan overthrown by his son Zeus. Here Cronus is Henri Prouillan, 74-years-old, father of Luc, Sebastien, Claire, and Bertrand, and husband of Cecile. All in their several ways remain detached from yet trapped by this man who never dares love because he can't risk attachment. The father's genes are so strong in the children that while loathing him, they nonetheless resemble him. For this reason, the wives of Luc and Sebastien leave, Claire's husband dies, and Bertrand's lover commits suicide. Thus Cronus has killed his children by letting them live. The book is difficult to read yet hard to put down because the truth it seeks to reveal is undeniable and the emotions it lays bare are universal. An absolute "must-have" title for Yves Navarre collectors. This title is a great book. This is one of few copies of the First British Edition/First Printing still available online and despite its imperfection (A publisher's flaw: Browning of page edges because of inferior paper used) is still in fine condition: Every single internal page is clean, crisp, and bright. Please note: Copies available online have serious flaws, are subsequent printings, or are remainder-marked. This is surely an accessible and lovely alternative. A scarce copy thus. Winner of the Prix Goncourt 1981, the most prestigious award in France for a novel. One of the finest writers of the 20th century. A fine copy. . ISBN 0714540137.

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