Jacques Henric reviews Marc Pierret's 'Le Mystère de la culture' and Marcel Cohen's 'Faits'
In a June 2002 article for artpress, Jacques Henric evaluates Marc Pierret's 'Le Mystère de la culture' (Éditions Verticales) and Marcel Cohen's 'Faits – Lecture courante à l'usage des grands débutants' (Éditions Gallimard). Pierret's 400-page work intertwines elements of essay, science fiction, personal testimony, and autobiography, featuring Matthieu Quiquandon, a narrator reminiscent of Pierret himself. The story delves into encounters with notable figures like Genet and Lacan, addressing themes of sexual escapades and a painful childhood. Conversely, Cohen's 'Faits' comprises concise narratives that juxtapose mundane moments with historical atrocities, presenting facts with subtlety. Henric commends both writers for their craftsmanship and humility, highlighting how Cohen's writing allows readers to 'exorcise the night' and embrace the day unscathed.
Key facts
- Jacques Henric reviews Marc Pierret's 'Le Mystère de la culture' and Marcel Cohen's 'Faits' in artpress, June 2002.
- Pierret's book is over 400 pages, published by Éditions Verticales.
- The narrator of Pierret's book is named Matthieu Quiquandon.
- Pierret's book references figures: Genet, Althusser, Cocteau, Jouhandeau, Aragon, Céline, Debord, Bataille, Lacan.
- Cohen's 'Faits' is subtitled 'Lecture courante à l'usage des grands débutants' and published by Éditions Gallimard.
- Cohen's stories include a spider in a bathtub, children near a Normandy blockhouse, and a woman turning her head during sex.
- Cohen juxtaposes everyday scenes with historical atrocities: world wars, totalitarian regimes, the Warsaw Ghetto, SS atrocities.
- Henric describes Cohen's style as 'implacable' yet 'pudique', avoiding sentimentality.
Entities
Artists
- Jacques Henric
- Marc Pierret
- Marcel Cohen
- Gilbert Lély
- Jean Genet
- Louis Althusser
- Jean Cocteau
- Marcel Jouhandeau
- Louis Aragon
- Louis-Ferdinand Céline
- Guy Debord
- Georges Bataille
- Jacques Lacan
Institutions
- artpress
- Éditions Verticales
- Éditions Gallimard
Locations
- France
- Paris
- Normandy
- Warsaw
- Warsaw Ghetto
Sources
- artpress —