The Difficulty of Existence -- Paris Series

Author: Jean Cocteau (French), translated by Liu Yan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-08-01
Features: In 1960, Jean Cocteau (1889—1963) wrote, directed, and starred in Le Testament d'Orphée (Orpheus's Testament). In the French cinema, which is never short of genius, Le Testament d'Orphée is hailed as a "necessity," a "poetic film." Cocteau portrayed the protagonist in the film, claiming, according to his own words, that he was "one foot in life and one foot in death." Three years later, on October 11, 1963, Cocteau received the news of the death of Edith Piaf, the legendary singer who sang "La Vie en Rose." She was one of his closest friends. "Today is the last day I have to live," he said, then fainted and never woke up again. Le Testament d'Orphée became Cocteau's own testament. It is said to be his most autobiographical work. The poet compares himself to Orpheus, a comparison with natural and profound meaning. The Difficulty of Being: Is this a book that will spark controversy between passionate readers and conservative readers? For one side, it means victory, while for the other, it means compromise. You can even hear their dialogue! In the end, one man said, "Alright, let me express my opinion. I agree with you. This book, yes, has garnered enough attention. It's not very Cocteau-like. Besides, let's be honest, there are so few beetles, so few dragonflies in your author's style." He saw it this way, and so did I—I barely recognized the "Jean": stiff, sharp like insect chirping, charm coming from his fluency and decisiveness. The Difficulty of Being is a unique book, a book written by the roadside, a book about exile and the fear of exile. Rarely does it reflect the style of Sandro Botticelli, seldom does it show the characteristics of Fragonard. It takes courage to admit: Cocteau occupies a corner of the gray, gloomy sky.