TEHRAN- A Persian translation of French novelist and diplomat Romain Gary’s “Grand Vestiaire” (“Le grand vestiaire”) has recently been published by Adeh Publications in Tehran.

The book has been translated into Persian by Mitra Moradi. 

The book tells the story of Luc Martin, a fourteen-year-old boy who lost his father in World War II and is left with only his dog. Placed in a child care center for orphans, he is taken in by an old man named Vanderputte, who already shelters two other teenagers, Léonce and Josette. Vanderputte informs Luc that if he wants to remain under state protection, he must give up his dog. In order to keep his dog, his only memento from his previous life, Luc escapes with Vanderputte and Léonce from the center and goes to live in the old man's apartment.

Vanderputte is involved in drug trafficking. Under the guidance of this skeptical and tormented old sage with obscure regrets, everyone engages in black market activities and leads an extravagant life. Luc falls in love with Josette, and the group decides to become thieves, just like in the movies.

Throughout the book, the young hero goes through three stages of reaction: first, passivity, then questioning, and finally action. However, for Luc, everyone eventually becomes "a vast wardrobe full of worn-out clothes with empty sleeves, from which no fraternal hand was extended." This poignant portrayal of disillusionment and emptiness captures the struggles and disillusionment of a group of teenagers navigating the complexities of life and relationships in a post-war world full of uncertainties and moral ambiguities.

Romain Gary, born as Roman Kacew in 1914 in Vilnius, Lithuania, was a French novelist, diplomat, film director, and World War II pilot. He is known for his evocative and powerful writing style that captures the complexity of human emotions and the resilience of the human spirit. Gary's works often explore themes of identity, memory, and the impact of war on individuals and societies. His most famous novel, "The Roots of Heaven," won the Prix Goncourt in 1956 and was later adapted into a successful film.

Gary's life was as intriguing and multi-faceted as his literary works. He served as a pilot in the Free French forces during World War II and later joined the French diplomatic service, holding various postings around the world. Gary also had a successful career as a film director, with his film "Kill!" winning the Grand Prize at the Venice Film Festival in 1971. Despite his numerous achievements, Gary's personal life was marked by tragedy, including the suicide of his mother when he was young and his own struggles with depression. Romain Gary's unique blend of personal experiences, cultural influences, and artistic talents have solidified his place as one of the most significant French writers of the 20th century.

SAB/