New Neighbors - The Ultimate Collection of Nicolas Nickleby

Author: Jean-Jacques Sempé
Publisher:
Publication Date: 2006-12-01
Features: I can’t remember how many times I’ve seen Jean-Jacques Sempé, but actually, I’ve known him since I was a little girl. Back then, I was still a little girl, and the laughter intertwined between Sempé and my father is etched deep in my memory. Therefore, I can say that Jean-Jacques Sempé, like Little Nicolas, is a part of my childhood. Their friendship began in the 1950s. Sempé described it this way: “One day, I met René Goscinny who had just returned from the United States, and we immediately became close friends.” The word “friend” is the key to their upcoming new work. From 1959 to 1965, my father and Sempé wrote a weekly story for Le Journal de l’Ouest, most of which were later published in the five-volume series The Adventures of Little Nicolas. During the writing and creation of Little Nicolas’ stories, the two worked together in harmony, whether in Buenos Aires or Bordeaux—the scent of chalk evoked childhood memories for both. The genius of the two authors allowed us to feel the joy of childhood in Nicolas’ mischievous life. Before my father had a chance to describe his own childhood to me, his death prematurely ended my own. On November 5, 1977, the sky was overcast as the creator of Nicolas, Joe d’Isigny, Jean-Jacques Guillon, and others passed away. But I believe that the author who created these vivid characters will never truly die. As a result, I have an infinite love for the world of Nicolas, a love that stems from the people we genuinely loved in our childhood. And savoring the humor of these two magicians will take me far, far away. After my father’s passing, Sempé became our loyal friend, and my mother maintained a deep friendship with him. When we had dinner with him, Jean-Jacques’ laughter brought back the voices from the depths of my memory. However, not all of my father’s stories were published. My mother, Gilberte Goscinny, once had an idea to publish the other 80 stories about this little guy that had never been released to the public, allowing readers to once again share her beloved Little Nicolas and his friends. Yet, as fate would have it, the clouds gathered again, and my mother didn’t get a chance to fulfill her dream. I met Sempé at a restaurant in Saint-Germain-des-Prés and showed him the manuscript of my father’s stories, adorned with Sempé’s illustrations. As he reread his own drawings after 40 years, what a smile he had! He happily proposed to collaborate with me. Together, we accompanied Nicolas to school, holding his hand. After a long period of rest, this famous little student hadn’t changed much, and now 80 stories accompany 205 illustrations to continue telling his story—his story and the stories of his friends: Atchoum, Prunelle, Fricotin, Gribouille, Célestin, Roger, and Macaroni. And Joe d’Isigny shines in this work. Joe is the friend with the rich father, and when Nicolas was invited to his house for the first time, he described it like this: “He has a kidney-shaped swimming pool and a living room as big as a restaurant.” Prunelle, the big eater, remains one of Nicolas’ best friends. “I told him, ‘On Christmas Eve, my grandma, my aunt, and my uncle Ozen will be at my house.’ Prunelle said, ‘At my house, we have white sausage and turkey.’” Perhaps because I myself have become a mother to a little boy and a little girl, I feel it’s time to share these hidden treasures with everyone. What better way to let children get to know their grandfather than this? Beyond personal reasons, publishing these unpublished stories is also a natural thing—to do so for those who once loved Little Nicolas and for the new generation of schoolchildren. The immense appeal of this work is not limited to children but also extends to the world of adults. The former see their own reflections in it, while the latter are reminded of their own past.