Chien blanc

The seventh title by Romain Gary to appear in this series, in which he would go on to publish twelve further titles.

Titles in the “Collection Soleil” were bound in full cloth in various colors (pink, yellow, orange, blue, green…), to a design by Massin. The series drew on the publisher’s backlist as well as on newly published titles. It was launched in 1957 to compete with the Club du meilleur livre (a joint venture of Gallimard and Hachette): Claude Gallimard was opposed to the idea of Hachette profiting from bound editions drawn from his backlist.

The print run was limited to a few thousand copies, with the following advertising line at launch: “Le soleil, dit Fontenelle, est l’orgueil des planètes. Les livres de la collection Soleil, tous au format in-8°, seront l’orgueil de votre bibliothèque.” Thirteen titles by Romain Gary had the honor of appearing in the series: Lady L., La Promesse de l’aube, Les Mangeurs d’étoiles, La Danse de Gengis Cohn, La Tête coupable, Adieu Gary Cooper, Chien blanc, Europa, Les Enchanteurs, Au-delà de cette limite…, Clair de femme, Charge d’âme and Les Clowns lyriques.

He was surpassed only by Simone de Beauvoir (14 titles), Jean Giono (16) and Henry de Montherlant (22!).