Légendes et Aventures héroiques,joyeuses et glorieuses d'Ulenspiegel. I just read a few pages at 16. I didn't have a clue. It was in old French like Rabelais. The illustrations were fantastic. Is this the book you and Brel are talking about?
Yes Claude. Interesting you mention the illustrations. Years ago, when on the road I enjoyed listening to the complete reading. And last year I luckily found a used but 'like new' special edition with 150 of those illustrations by Frans Masereel. A gem.
Are the stories a bit risqué? I'm asking because the copy I saw was in a locked glass cupboard, in my college library. It was open one afternoon, and I looked at the book for maybe half an hour. The librarian nun came in and took the book from my hands. She said, "Ce livre est dépravé et contre l'Église" (anti-church) The little bit I had read was in old French, rather amusing. I never asked her why the Catholic College kept a banned book. Maybe it was a First Edition. I had totally forgotten that episode, and the book, until your post. What a small world!
Thanks for this anecdote, Claude. From the church's point of view the Ulenspiegel was, of course, shockingly blasphemic. The more interesting for nuns – human beings, after all :) to keep such a book in their poison cabinet.
Still 'alive and well' and living in our hearts. :)
ReplyDeleteYes. :)
DeleteDid you read de Costers 'Ulenspiegel'? One of the great pieces of European literature.
Légendes et Aventures héroiques,joyeuses et glorieuses d'Ulenspiegel. I just read a few pages at 16. I didn't have a clue. It was in old French like Rabelais. The illustrations were fantastic. Is this the book you and Brel are talking about?
ReplyDeleteYes Claude. Interesting you mention the illustrations.
DeleteYears ago, when on the road I enjoyed listening to the complete reading. And last year I luckily found a used but 'like new' special edition with 150 of those illustrations by Frans Masereel. A gem.
Are the stories a bit risqué? I'm asking because the copy I saw was in a locked glass cupboard, in my college library. It was open one afternoon, and I looked at the book for maybe half an hour. The librarian nun came in and took the book from my hands. She said, "Ce livre est dépravé et contre l'Église" (anti-church) The little bit I had read was in old French, rather amusing. I never asked her why the Catholic College kept a banned book. Maybe it was a First Edition. I had totally forgotten that episode, and the book, until your post. What a small world!
ReplyDeleteThanks for this anecdote, Claude.
DeleteFrom the church's point of view the Ulenspiegel was, of course, shockingly blasphemic.
The more interesting for nuns – human beings, after all :) to keep such a book in their poison cabinet.