The Chameleons’ Club
Publisher
:
Dilettante
Parution date
:
2010
EAN
:
9782842631857
Number of pages
:
158
Description
Most writers of modern childhood memoirs tell either tales of “issues” and poor behavior on the part of adults or relate times of warmth and cozy comfort. . . . Not Milan Dargent. His recollections of childhood encourage and return us to a more honest, if more imaginative, time.
The Chameleons’ Club has as members the people who were part of Dargent’s life during the 1960s and 1970s. Some were real, some imaginary; some merely crossed his path, whereas others were fully integrated into his life. A few of the chameleons were famous, and others’ names were never publicly mentioned—but they were all Dargent’s childhood companions. And each, vividly remembered and often comically described, left a mark on Dargent’s character.
Each character has a chapter—a vignette, portrait, or souvenir. There is Youki, the author’s best friend, who went missing in action forever during a vacation stay in the mountains. Youki was a dog. Théodore, a human friend, was black but didn’t know he was. And then there was Betrand Chavert, for whom Dargent entered a life of crime, stealing . . . a plastic pickle, and André, who, no matter how many alarm clocks surrounded his bed, couldn’t wake up in the morning. Among the famous was David Bowie, who led Dargent to see a shrink because he was his only friend—until he met Lou Reed. The less well known of the chameleons includes his godfather, who ended up homeless.
The club of oddly shifting members is seemingly eclectic, but the unity gives shape to the fullness of Dargent’s childhood—and provides a new view of our own with the shadows swept away.
Author
Milan Dargent : Milan Dargent lives and works in Paris. He is the author of Soupe à la tête de bouc (2002, Éditions Le Dilettante).
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