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Review of L’Enfant Chat by Béatrix Beck

January 20, 2011 by Nathaniel

Through-out the year, I will add on this blog a number of reviews of the Novels you can find on the list.

We will start with Beck, an author born in Belgium, who lived in France and Switzerland. She was Gide’s secretary for a while and has a very simple – but engaging writing style.  She is worth reading at least once in your life-time.

An old retired lady is given a cat which she does not want. She soon realises that this is no ordinary cat. It speaks, has demands, wants to learn, but maintains her true feline nature. Others, mostly children, can hear her words. No one is surprised with this speaking cat in her village. Beatrix Beck delivers very wise comments about the changing nature of our society in this novella, and the telling modification of the French Language. The cat almost becomes her familiar as they both pine for real companionship.

I don’t believe this work has ever been translated into English. I’ve marked it down as one of the works I would like to translate one day. Beck is like a Budha figure of Belgium Literature, always concise, with an absolute minimal use of words to deliver a clear portrait of the life around her. Elle donne sa langue au chat.

Posted in The List | Tagged Béatrix Beck, L'Enfant Chat, Lost in no-translation, Review | Leave a Comment

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