Alain Fleischer's Autobiographical Novel Blends First Love, Art, and History
In "L'amant en culottes courtes," Alain Fleischer shares the story of his first sexual encounter during the summer of 1957 when he was 13 years old, staying with a host family in England. This narrative uniquely blends the author with the narrator, marking a shift from his previous works. With a focus on love and sexuality, Fleischer maintains a sense of modesty, steering clear of the extremes found in "Les Trapézistes et le Rat." The story connects his erotic awakening to his artistic journey, hinting at his future in photography. It also touches on a more somber initiation related to the Holocaust, as he uncovers "une dizaine de Fleischer" carved in a Hungarian synagogue, a nod to family lost during the Shoah. The book intricately weaves together themes of sex, vision, and tragedy, laying the groundwork for his artistry, which Léa Bismuth in art press commends for its poetic elegance and archaeological memory.
Key facts
- Alain Fleischer's novel 'L'amant en culottes courtes' is autobiographical.
- The story is set in summer 1957 in England.
- Fleischer was 13 years old at the time.
- The narrator and author fully merge for the first time in this novel.
- The book describes the discovery of love and sexuality.
- It also includes an artistic initiation linked to photography.
- The novel ends with a visit to a synagogue in Hungary where Fleischer finds names of relatives.
- The review was written by Léa Bismuth in art press issue 326 (September 2006).
Entities
Artists
- Alain Fleischer
- Léa Bismuth
Institutions
- art press
- Éditions du Seuil
Locations
- England
- Hungary
Sources
- artpress —