Absinthe
by Christophe Bataille
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Book Summary Information
Author: Christophe BatailleTranslator: Richard Howard
Edition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Unknown); French (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 1999-06-09
ISBN: 0810160420
Number of pages: 71
Publisher: Marlboro Press
Book Reviews of Absinthe
Book Review: Dreamy, atmospheric, poetic
Summary: 4 Stars
Not being an imbiber of absinthe myself, I read this book because I had previously read Christophe Bataille's poetic novel Annam. This novel is written in a similar fashion, the novel in part as a historical memoir, composed in a captivating style that captures atmosphere and feeling. In a round about fashion Bataille tells the story of absinthe from the days when it was the height of French fashion in the late 19th century and prior to the Great War through its prohibition beginning in 1915. Today absinthe is again legal in most countries of the world that do not prohibit alcoholic beverages. But, as I understand it, absinthe is not legal in the US.
Absinthe is a green (Bataille has it glowing in the dark), bitter, very strong alcoholic beverage flavored with wormwood, anise, and other herbs that is diluted with water and often served with sugar. When I was a young man in France in the sixties I recall seeing absinthe served in the cafes and bars. There was then and continues to be a certain mystique associated with the drink. Many people believe it has mysterious powers, and Bataille makes much of this in his novel. Two of his characters imbibe just a bit of the drink through a sugar cube and go into a trance-like state or a swoon. The central character of the novel, Jose, a round, charming distiller manages to mesmerizes women (or so it is hinted) with his charm and the absinthe.
Absinthe was prohibited because many people believed that it was a dangerous drink that could drive men mad, make women easy, and/or ruin their health. However the current view is that absinthe is no more or no less dangerous than other distilled liquors, the herbal ingredients notwithstanding. When I was in France in that long ago I may have drunk some myself. It has a licorice flavor from the anise or fennel that is added to the alcohol. We called it "Pernod" after the main distributer Pernod et Fils. And then again I may not have actually tried the drink and only imagined its taste. It's hard to remember.
There are a number of paintings showing someone in the throes of absinthe intoxication and a similar number of books written on the history of the drink. On the cover is Albert Maignan's painting from 1895, "The Great Muse," which shows a man dreamily intoxicated by a woman (the muse) with her hands about his head. Presumably this could also depict absinthe intoxication.
I don't think this very short (71 pages) novel is as good as Bataille's first, mentioned above, but it is interesting in that it recalls the France of the early part of the 20th century, especially some people of the hills and villages of Provence. There is a brief almost extraneous story as an "Overture" about one of them who spent most of his time in "Buenos Ayres." Bataille's narrative style is to wander about and then return seamlessly to the main sequence. It is a technique that I would like to master.
Perhaps what Bataille does best is evoke in the reader a deliciously sensual feeling for the women admired by his characters. He does something similar in Annam. Again I am impressed with Richard Howard's lyrical translation.
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