Le Martyre de l’obèse
Paris, Émile-Paul frères, (May 20) 1925.
1 vol. (140 x 220 mm) of 232 p. and [1] f. plus suite. In wrappers, red wraparound cover, slipcase.
First illustrated edition. Drawings by Gus Bofa.
One of 22 deluxe copies on Japanese paper, this copy hors commerce, numbered in pencil, with the suite of drawings before letters.
One of 22 deluxe copies on Japanese paper, this copy hors commerce, numbered in pencil, with the suite of drawings before letters.
Winner of the 1922 Prix Goncourt, Le Martyre de l’obèse shared the prize with Le Vitriol de lune. This was an unprecedented decision, taken to placate a press outraged at seeing a “humorous trifle,” written in a fortnight, crowned. To legitimize its choice, the Académie paired the prize with the historical novel Le Vitriol de lune, published the previous year.
In Le Martyre de l’obèse, Béraud portrays, with verve and earthy humor, a narrator belonging to the brotherhood of the “Cent Kilos,” who recounts his amorous misadventures with thoroughly Rabelaisian gusto.
Gus Bofa took up the theme with relish three years later for this first illustrated edition.
Rare.
From the “Prix Goncourt” library of Gérard Pouguet, with bookplate.
#31126
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