Fragments of a Paradise

"Giono's prose is a singularly fine blend of realism and poetic sensibility." -- The Washington Post

Giono's very own Moby-Dick, a sensational maritime journey that follows a crew inwards on a spiritual tale of evocative sea-glimpses

An allegorical critique of modern civilization and the damages of war, Giono's oft-overlooked seafaring tale sweeps the reader along a narrative as poetic and undulating as the wind, tacking between the sea's mysteries and the intricacies of the men's conversations and inner thoughts as they attempt to grasp the sensory reality around them.

"I no longer have any interest in living under the conditions that this era allows," writes the Captain of L'Indien, a ship whose radio remains packed in a crate in the hold. The men aboard won't be needing it; they have no interest in connecting with the world of ordinary men. With enough provisions to last them five years, they set sail in July of 1940 for the South Seas, leaving civilization behind in search of the unknown.

Hastening onwards, Giono's men steer deeper into themselves, seeking a purpose beyond the "world in upheaval" they left behind--a moving and spiritual work written by one of Europe's most ardent 20th-century pacifists.

A sensational novel that delves into the unknown reaches of the sea and soul, perfect for readers seeking a poetic escape that challenges the political and social status-quo.

Author: Jean Giono
Publisher: Archipelago Books
Published: 11/05/2024
Pages: 215
Binding Type: Paperback
ISBN: 9781962770002


Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 09/16/2024

About the Author
Jean Giono was born in Manosque in 1895 and spent most of his life in that part of Provence, which is also the main setting for his immense body of work--over fifty novels--as well as poems, essays and plays. During World War II, he turned to political writing and was jailed for pacifist activities.

Paul Eprile is a publisher, poet, and translator. He lives on the Niagara Escarpment in Ontario, Canada.