Une tête de chien

by Jean Dutourd

Edmond Du Chaillu est un charmant enfant. Malheureusement, il a une tête d'épagneul, avec des poils et de grandes oreilles pendantes. Doté d'un coeur humain et d'une âme d'homme, il débute dans la vie avec le poids de cette "fatalité canine". Cela lui vaudra d'être torturé, tant à l'école que, plus tard, au service militaire, et d'occuper une position solide et confortable d'être à part. Cela lui vaudra surtout de connaître, plus que tout autre, la solitude. Ni l'argent ni les chiens ne l'en consoleront. Jusqu'à ce qu'il rencontre l'amour - fou ? - d'une jeune femme de vingt-cinq ans, veuve et sans parents, qui va bouleverser son existence.C'est sur le mode comique que Jean Dutourd choisit de nous raconter cette tragique vie... de chien, symbole de la vie d'artiste.

Genres: Fiction, French Literature, Animals, France

160 pages, Pocket Book

First published November 1, 1951

Reviews

[Ümit Sevgi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Köpek başlı adamın trajikomik hikayesi. 1950'lerde yazılmış. Biraz eski Mısır mitolojindeki köpek başlı kahraman göndermesi, toplumun farklılıklara olan önyargıları ve sonunda onu prense dönüştürmeye kararlı bir kadının ona olan aşkı...

[Lobstergirl · Rating 2 out of 5]

A baby boy with a spaniel's head is born to Monsieur and Madame Du Chaillu in this 1951 novella. Wendy Doniger's foreword suggests some of the ways the book has been read and can be read: an ideological satire, along the lines of Animal Farm or Candide; as magical realism; or as a parable of the outcast. It's probably easiest to see it as the last. Edmond Du Chaillu is handicapped by his dog's head, yet also happy in life. He has a positive outlook even though many around him are moderately disgusted by his canine features. He has a difficult time getting a good job and keeping his parents' love and interest - until a real woman falls in love with him, just for him. Then things start to disintegrate.

[Natalie (CuriousReader) · Rating 3 out of 5]

For me, there was much to take away from this book. It's only 150 pages long, but "packs a punch" has never been truer. A book that would be especially interesting to discuss with other people I think.
Review: https://weneedhunny.wordpress.com/201...

[Gianna Hayes · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Dog’s Head is an interesting foray into human-animal interactions, othering, and even bestiality. An interesting read, that’s for sure. I picked this up in my local book store merely for the intriguing title and cover (and I suppose the blurb). I have never before heard of this book, nor of Jean Dutourd, but I would not be opposed to checking out some of his other works after having read and enjoyed this one. I wouldn’t say this was my favorite read ever, but certainly a funny, thought-provoking, and whimsical little book.
One of the things I really liked about this book was its rather obvious (at least to me) metaphors for homophobia and similar sorts of otherings which Edmond must endure. Dutourd, taken out of context, could totally be read as talking about the queer experience, as exemplified with this quote: “By dint of accompanying these amorous beings, with their yearning after shapes and substances utterly different from their own, Edmond ended by asking himself why he, too, should not become the object of someone’s love.” This part of the novel really resounded with me, a queer individual, especially for the times when I feel completely divided from my body and disconnected from others, yearning for that fairy tale love (or at least picket fence family) that we are all taught to cherish as children. It was a really whimsical and extreme way to present a very touching and real issue that many people experience. The religious symbolism/imagery coupled with this produces a fantastic and hard-hitting account of an individual torn between dual natures. Dutourd writes of Edmond as “overcome by a Christian’s recoil before the sins of the flesh” at one point. Again, this ties into shame of identity, specifically catalyzed by personal religious experiences that many, many queer and other marginalized groups experience.
Another aspect of this book that I really liked was the exploration of hierarchy between animals. Humans are often not included in the term ‘animal’ even though we are technically animals. We also tend to put ourselves on top of the pyramid, which I just think is a ridiculous way to look at all of creation lol. I really liked this quote, “Today men believe that an impassable wall separates them from animals. They have no concern for them except to subject them to idiotic experiments.” I think it largely rings true, even today! There is so often that distinction between animalistic and human behaviour, which in some cases, humans can be so much more cruel and savage – and this is exactly what I think Dutourd was hinting at throughout most of the book.
Overall, well written, pretty quick to get through, and amusing at times. Solid 3/5 stars.

[Marcella · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this sweet, honest, sad portrait of a lonely man. I've heard certain sentiments of the protagonist echoed by real-life friends so I feel the roller coaster ride of his outlook on life is not exaggerated.

More reviews on my StoryGraph page!

[Jeremy Butterfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining, if ultimately depressing, parable about human versus animal nature, the hypocrisy of society towards difference, and a few other targets.

I was underwhelmed by the translation which came across as rather starchy and I often wondered if the French was similarly buttoned up. If time was unlimited, I would get hold of a copy of the French to check. Obsessive, moi?

[Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A rare, compelling book from an excellent French literary satirist.

[Lacy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would have given it 3 stars but the ending was atrocious. This story follows a man born with a dogs head. It’s an interesting premise, but very sad and drawn out.

[Kathrin Passig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keine Ahnung, worum es da ging und ob es eine Metapher war oder nicht, aber ich fand's gut.

[Maurice Ruffin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Magical realism, like Sci Fi and crime tales, has the power to bring us quickly into an alternate reality. What would it be like to live and work on a ship floating through space? (Star Trek) What would I do if I were the head of a crime family? (The Godfather) How would I feel if I woke up in the body of a giant bug? (The Metamorphosis) This book travels down the what if path with both realism and heart. By turns funny and heartbreaking, this is a book for anyone who has ever felt different.

Recommended

[Kate Cares · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Dog's Head doesn't have the same poetry that is attributed to most other works of "magical realism," an aspect of the genre that I particularly like. Although the metaphor is pretty straightforward and maybe even a little heavy handed, I did have a visceral reaction to the story by the end. Not my favorite but worth reading.

[Debra B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had first read this book when I was around 12 years old but could not remember the title. The discussion group "What's The Name Of That Boo" on Goodreads helped me find the name of the book,and I appreciate that. It is a very imaginative book, although it is a sad story. I enjoyed re-reading it as an adult, as it is clearly a book for adults.

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this for a university class and at first I wasn't really into it, but it was actually really profound. It's such a simple story, but the message is there and the author really knows how to incorporate it in the story through Edmond's personal journey - living with a dog's head and trying to be accepted by society.

[CuriousBookReviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nothing like I expected when I first picked it up. It was painful to read, but so revealing of the nature of man. Brace yourself for a good ol howling after you're done!