Pierre Autin-Grenier's 'Friterie-bar Brunetti' Revives a Lost Bistro World
Gallimard's l'Arpenteur imprint has published Pierre Autin-Grenier's 'Friterie-bar Brunetti', a memoir of a vanished Lyon bistro founded in 1906 at 9 rue Moncey. Set in the 1960s, the book recounts the author's youth spent writing in the back of the café, reading Céline, Calaferte, and Genet. Autin-Grenier paints a tender portrait of regulars like Madame Loulou, the grand Raymond, Domi the roadworker, and Ginette. The narrative blends nostalgia with anger, attacking capitalists, police, real estate 'vultures', and bankers. True to his revolutionary ideals, the author rails against exploitation by the bourgeoisie and political correctness. The work is both a love song to disappearing working-class cafés and a denunciation of a dehumanizing world, yet retains hope for a revolution led by 'drinkers of infinity' on café terraces.
Key facts
- Published by Gallimard, l'Arpenteur.
- Memoir of a Lyon bistro founded in 1906 at 9 rue Moncey.
- Set in the 1960s.
- Author Pierre Autin-Grenier was twenty years old.
- He read Céline, Calaferte, and Genet.
- Characters include Madame Loulou, the grand Raymond, Domi the cantonnier, Ginette.
- The book attacks capitalists, police, real estate speculators, and bankers.
- The author is known for 'L'Éternité est inutile'.
- Cédric Rognon reviewed the book for artpress.
Entities
Artists
- Pierre Autin-Grenier
- Céline
- Calaferte
- Genet
- Cédric Rognon
Institutions
- Gallimard
- l'Arpenteur
- artpress
Locations
- Lyon
- France
- 9 rue Moncey
Sources
- artpress —