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Barracuda for ever
A l'age de quatre-vingt-cinq ans, mon grand-pere Napoleon decida qu'il lui fallait se renouveler. Il traina ma grand-mere Josephine devant les tribunaux. Comme elle n'avait jamais rien su lui refuser, elle se laissa faire.
Ils divorcerent le premier jour de l'automne.
Je veux refaire ma vie, avait-il dit au juge charge de l'affaire.
C'est votre droit, avait repondu ce dernier.
Voici l'histoire d'un duo irresistible un petit-fils et son grand-pere, prets a toutes les fantaisies pour conjurer les tourments de l'existence.
Ils divorcerent le premier jour de l'automne.
Je veux refaire ma vie, avait-il dit au juge charge de l'affaire.
C'est votre droit, avait repondu ce dernier.
Voici l'histoire d'un duo irresistible un petit-fils et son grand-pere, prets a toutes les fantaisies pour conjurer les tourments de l'existence.
- GenresFiction
305 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 18, 2017
5 people are currently reading
88 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
January 5, 2019
When you – in my case out of the blue – stumble upon a book about 85 year old man narrated by his 10 year old grandson, you kinda know how it will end. Chances are, you'd be left in tears or the book, most likely being not-a-highbrow one, would be left in the bin. Either scenario is possible, and everything depends, the way I see it, on our initial response or, in other words, on what we feel before we start analyzing what we're reading. We don't read those books for the intricate plot twists or finesse of prose, don't we? Most likely, we don't even want such books to be realistic, we want them to be emotionally relatable. For example, Barracuda for Ever begins (very promising!) with the following line: “At the age of eighty five, my Grandfather Napoléon Bonheur decided to begin anew”, and unfolds as a bizarre tragicomedy which simply cannot be true to life for 99% of human beings as this is the story of an old boxer who prefers Esperanto when talking to his grandson so as to his son wouldn't understand and plots kidnapping of a radio host simply to let him enjoy himself instead of hosting a stupid show.
And yet, this is the book that I've been looking for not knowing that I needed it. Ever since my Grandpa died, I've been longing for some way to deal with the fact that my very first and bestest ever friend is no longer here to share adventure. I wanted to read something helpful, and I used to think that a book about other people's grief would be the best choice for my purpose. However, it turned out I didn't want – and couldn't bring myself – to grieve with other people. On the contrary, I wanted a 10 year old boy to tell me how cool, hands down, his Grandpa was. How joyfully he approached life. How forever-and-ever he seemed for everyone who loved him. It turned out, I wanted someone to remind me of the way children keep their memories of their loved ones. My Grandpa wasn't half as gregarious as Napoléon Bonheur, the Grandpa of this book, but he was equally unparalleled at being a co-conspirator, trusted mentor and fighter. As Napoléon Bonheur, my Grandpa was fighting restlessly, until the very end, with what always wins and takes us all. As Napoléon Bonheur, my Grandpa was cool, hands down. And so, as Napoléon Bonheur, he will remain.
And yet, this is the book that I've been looking for not knowing that I needed it. Ever since my Grandpa died, I've been longing for some way to deal with the fact that my very first and bestest ever friend is no longer here to share adventure. I wanted to read something helpful, and I used to think that a book about other people's grief would be the best choice for my purpose. However, it turned out I didn't want – and couldn't bring myself – to grieve with other people. On the contrary, I wanted a 10 year old boy to tell me how cool, hands down, his Grandpa was. How joyfully he approached life. How forever-and-ever he seemed for everyone who loved him. It turned out, I wanted someone to remind me of the way children keep their memories of their loved ones. My Grandpa wasn't half as gregarious as Napoléon Bonheur, the Grandpa of this book, but he was equally unparalleled at being a co-conspirator, trusted mentor and fighter. As Napoléon Bonheur, my Grandpa was fighting restlessly, until the very end, with what always wins and takes us all. As Napoléon Bonheur, my Grandpa was cool, hands down. And so, as Napoléon Bonheur, he will remain.
April 11, 2021
Când rupeți din timpul vostru, dragi Cititori, pentru a-l umple cu o carte despre un bătrânel de 85 de ani și nepotul său de 10 ani, și vă pregătiți să vă aventurați cu ei în giumbușlucuri năstrușnice, lăsați pretențiile de proză fină și manierele de mari cronicari, și abandonați-vă-ntr-un duș de emoții, de trăiri, nu neapărat verosimile, fără a fi nevoie să fie astfel.
Napoleon Veselie, la numai optzeci de ani, decide să revină în liga holteilor și ne deapănă o tragicomedie de toată frumusețea, pe alocuri stropită cu multă imaginație și voie bună, dar care abundă în chef de viață și multă nebunie.
E o carte despre care n-ați știut că aveți nevoie. Un complice, mentor, luptător și un mare iubitor de viață, bunul de Napoleon construiește amintirile nepotului despre al său bătrân Împărat. Întreaga carte-i o reamintire cu trei semne de exclamare de a vă trăi viața din plin și că niciodată nu e târziu să vă bucurați de ea dezinhibat, accelerat, și c-o poți face și la 85, dar să o faceți, căci ticăie ceasul și vremea se scurge.
S-a-ntâmplat să coincidă lectura cărții cu vizionarea filmului The Father, un film superb cu minunatul domn Hopkins. Ambele, cartea și filmul, au un personaj principal asemănător, chinuit de aceleași coșmaruri. Vă îndemn să zâmbiți ascultând cartea și să prindeți la dispoziție, și să plângeți în hohote la film, amintindu-vă și de părinți care nu pot să rămână veșnic tineri, mereu alături.
Napoleon Veselie, la numai optzeci de ani, decide să revină în liga holteilor și ne deapănă o tragicomedie de toată frumusețea, pe alocuri stropită cu multă imaginație și voie bună, dar care abundă în chef de viață și multă nebunie.
E o carte despre care n-ați știut că aveți nevoie. Un complice, mentor, luptător și un mare iubitor de viață, bunul de Napoleon construiește amintirile nepotului despre al său bătrân Împărat. Întreaga carte-i o reamintire cu trei semne de exclamare de a vă trăi viața din plin și că niciodată nu e târziu să vă bucurați de ea dezinhibat, accelerat, și c-o poți face și la 85, dar să o faceți, căci ticăie ceasul și vremea se scurge.
S-a-ntâmplat să coincidă lectura cărții cu vizionarea filmului The Father, un film superb cu minunatul domn Hopkins. Ambele, cartea și filmul, au un personaj principal asemănător, chinuit de aceleași coșmaruri. Vă îndemn să zâmbiți ascultând cartea și să prindeți la dispoziție, și să plângeți în hohote la film, amintindu-vă și de părinți care nu pot să rămână veșnic tineri, mereu alături.
August 4, 2019
The Last Adventure of Napoleon Sunshine begins as equal parts absurd and delightful, told with a vigour that is wholly French. Napoleon seems determined to act in a manner that is entirely contrary to the expectations of what an elderly man should act like. At the age of 85, he divorces his beloved Josephine – don’t you just love this nod to French history? – and seems determined to live out every day in whatever manner he pleases, ridiculous be damned. His general, grandson Leonard, is happy to go along for the ride, although as an insightful ten year old, he knows that something is behind all of this, something bigger than anything that’s come before, but the knowledge of it is out of his reach.
‘You don’t get divorced at eighty-five, going on eighty-six. You don’t add to your house at that age and you do accept help with renovating and redecorating. In fact, you don’t redecorate at all at that age. You wait. You wait for the end to come.’
This story is funny, at times ridiculous, yet always entertaining. And then reality rears its head and we see, along with Leonard, the real reason behind Napoleon’s late change of life. There is a depth and meaning to this story that caused a lump to form and wedge itself firmly in my throat. It’s heartbreakingly beautiful, the way this story unfolds, and unexpectedly melancholic. It would make an absolutely splendid film, but only if it were made as a French film; anything different would certainly spoil it.
‘Once more he walked away from me. Without a backward glance he rode off into the vast empty plains of old age, his horse’s hooves drumming on the frozen ground.’
The characters within this story just popped right off the page, not just Napoleon, who was certainly larger than life and Leonard, who was an absolute darling. But Josephine as well, with her generous and forgiving nature, along with her sharp humour. Leonard’s parents, particularly his mother, intuitively drawing all that was too big to say, capturing the emotions of everyday in her life sketches. I felt so sorry for Leonard’s father at times, bearing the brunt of Napoleon’s insults, suffering the whims of both of his parents. But he bore it all with grace and the dedication of a loving and patient son. There is so much love in this story, it’s so ultimately uplifting. The Last Adventure of Napoleon Sunshine caught me by surprise, but in the very best of ways.
Thanks is extended to Hachette Australia for providing me with a copy of The Last Adventure of Napoleon Sunshine for review.
‘You don’t get divorced at eighty-five, going on eighty-six. You don’t add to your house at that age and you do accept help with renovating and redecorating. In fact, you don’t redecorate at all at that age. You wait. You wait for the end to come.’
This story is funny, at times ridiculous, yet always entertaining. And then reality rears its head and we see, along with Leonard, the real reason behind Napoleon’s late change of life. There is a depth and meaning to this story that caused a lump to form and wedge itself firmly in my throat. It’s heartbreakingly beautiful, the way this story unfolds, and unexpectedly melancholic. It would make an absolutely splendid film, but only if it were made as a French film; anything different would certainly spoil it.
‘Once more he walked away from me. Without a backward glance he rode off into the vast empty plains of old age, his horse’s hooves drumming on the frozen ground.’
The characters within this story just popped right off the page, not just Napoleon, who was certainly larger than life and Leonard, who was an absolute darling. But Josephine as well, with her generous and forgiving nature, along with her sharp humour. Leonard’s parents, particularly his mother, intuitively drawing all that was too big to say, capturing the emotions of everyday in her life sketches. I felt so sorry for Leonard’s father at times, bearing the brunt of Napoleon’s insults, suffering the whims of both of his parents. But he bore it all with grace and the dedication of a loving and patient son. There is so much love in this story, it’s so ultimately uplifting. The Last Adventure of Napoleon Sunshine caught me by surprise, but in the very best of ways.
Thanks is extended to Hachette Australia for providing me with a copy of The Last Adventure of Napoleon Sunshine for review.
May 8, 2021
„Barracuda forever” (roman) - Pascal Ruter
Noi mereu suntem alături de cei dragi, chiar dacă nu suntem împreună!
Napoleon Veselie – împăratul care știe ce face 😀
Așa îl cheamă pe omul care și-a trăit viața exact cum îi este numele: ca un împărat mereu pus pe șotii, care la ai săi 86 de ani a hotărât să divorțeze de soția sa motivindu-și decizia prin faptul că vrea să înceapă o viață nouă.
Și de aici începe o poveste haioasă, interesantă, dar și cu multe învățături.
https://shereading.art.blog/2021/05/0...
Noi mereu suntem alături de cei dragi, chiar dacă nu suntem împreună!
Napoleon Veselie – împăratul care știe ce face 😀
Așa îl cheamă pe omul care și-a trăit viața exact cum îi este numele: ca un împărat mereu pus pe șotii, care la ai săi 86 de ani a hotărât să divorțeze de soția sa motivindu-și decizia prin faptul că vrea să înceapă o viață nouă.
Și de aici începe o poveste haioasă, interesantă, dar și cu multe învățături.
https://shereading.art.blog/2021/05/0...
September 23, 2024
Nope... life is too short. DNF at 25%.
I usually like to read stories (and watch movies) about old people. Don't really know why...
But Napoleon is no Ove. He is an anoying, selfish old man, and I don't care enough about his story to continue reading.
I usually like to read stories (and watch movies) about old people. Don't really know why...
But Napoleon is no Ove. He is an anoying, selfish old man, and I don't care enough about his story to continue reading.
April 28, 2019
Très déçue de ce roman. Je m’attendais à un vieil homme attachant, qui vit ses deniers instants avec son petit-fils. J’ai trouvé un personnage ennuyant et exécrable, un petit-fils sans émotion à transmettre, une histoire plate et sans actions... ça ne l’a pas fait pour moi tant pis !
June 2, 2019
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Who decides to divorce their wife at the age of eighty-five in order to make a "fresh start"? Napoleon does.
It all starts when Napoleon divorces his wife. At eighty-five, he's a former boxer and, as everyone in the family knows, a very difficult person. But his grandson, Leonard, knows better: Napoleon was born to be the emperor of his own life, and he intends to live it to the fullest!
What follows is a series of strange, funny, peculiar, hilarious situations that Napoleon Sunshine and his grandson get involved in. From adopting a dog to trying to kidnap a radio star, Napoleon is determined to go down swinging. And when his memory and health are not what they used to be anymore, Leonard will be the person he tells his story to. And this is the story we get to enjoy.
Tender, loving, and moving, The Last Adventure of Napoleon Sunshine is a magnetic story of human bonds; not just that of Napoleon and his grandson. It spans much wider than that. Through a funny and tender plot, we get to learn a lot about human relationships. And the most important? That they're both strange and fascinating.
The story of Napoleon Sunshine is captivating. Moving in us and downs, it keeps the readers engrossed and very often laughing or crying along with the Sunshine family. This is a wonderful story. Not just for children, but also for adults. For anyone with children, this is an ideal read-along. But if you have grandchildren, don't miss out on the chance to read this book together with the little ones. This is one of the stories that will stick with you for years to come.
Who decides to divorce their wife at the age of eighty-five in order to make a "fresh start"? Napoleon does.
It all starts when Napoleon divorces his wife. At eighty-five, he's a former boxer and, as everyone in the family knows, a very difficult person. But his grandson, Leonard, knows better: Napoleon was born to be the emperor of his own life, and he intends to live it to the fullest!
What follows is a series of strange, funny, peculiar, hilarious situations that Napoleon Sunshine and his grandson get involved in. From adopting a dog to trying to kidnap a radio star, Napoleon is determined to go down swinging. And when his memory and health are not what they used to be anymore, Leonard will be the person he tells his story to. And this is the story we get to enjoy.
Tender, loving, and moving, The Last Adventure of Napoleon Sunshine is a magnetic story of human bonds; not just that of Napoleon and his grandson. It spans much wider than that. Through a funny and tender plot, we get to learn a lot about human relationships. And the most important? That they're both strange and fascinating.
The story of Napoleon Sunshine is captivating. Moving in us and downs, it keeps the readers engrossed and very often laughing or crying along with the Sunshine family. This is a wonderful story. Not just for children, but also for adults. For anyone with children, this is an ideal read-along. But if you have grandchildren, don't miss out on the chance to read this book together with the little ones. This is one of the stories that will stick with you for years to come.
July 27, 2021
The best book I've read this year so far. Just excellent. Both heart-warming and so pleasant to read. Highly recommend it. Warning: you might cry a bit.
June 25, 2019
It took me ages to get into this book. I understand the nuances and what the author was trying to do but it was slow, not exciting at all, the plot took too long to develop, the reader not entirely sure what the book was even about until 2 thirds of the way through. The only good part was the strong ending, if the rest of the book hadn't been such a bore, I'd have come out of it with a happy/sad feeling you get with good endings. Instead I'm mildly disappointed. It's not an entirely terrible read, it just takes a bit to get used to.
The book is set in France but doesn't have a very french feel, if you didn't know it was set in France you'd think it was any old suburb. Napoleon is an irrational and annoying old man who refuses to give up on life. An admirable quality but written in a very disagreeable way. The protagonist is ten year Leonard, who's language is a confusing mix of over-simplified and very adult-like. Other characters include Leonard's push-over father, quiet mother, sweet-natured (but equally as raucous given champagne) grandmother, underdeveloped immigrant friend (still not entirely sure of the purpose of that character) and the dog (probably my favourite character if he counts). The story follows Napoleon's last days on earth through the eyes of his grandson Leonard. Quite a touching plot line and well thought out story, if the character of Napoleon had been written as slightly less abusive and a little more caring throughout I might have upped my rating.
I can't say I enjoyed this book. But I can recommend it, definitely not to everyone, but I know people who would enjoy this kind of read, just not me. It wasn't very intellectual, with exception to the ending, and I often find it frustrating when a book is written from a child's perspective but the author isn't very good at understanding how complex that can be, often making the child sound very simple minded in an attempt to capture a younger sounding human being. The only time this was achieved properly in this book was at the end. It was a very redeemable ending, but unfortunately too little too late.
The book is set in France but doesn't have a very french feel, if you didn't know it was set in France you'd think it was any old suburb. Napoleon is an irrational and annoying old man who refuses to give up on life. An admirable quality but written in a very disagreeable way. The protagonist is ten year Leonard, who's language is a confusing mix of over-simplified and very adult-like. Other characters include Leonard's push-over father, quiet mother, sweet-natured (but equally as raucous given champagne) grandmother, underdeveloped immigrant friend (still not entirely sure of the purpose of that character) and the dog (probably my favourite character if he counts). The story follows Napoleon's last days on earth through the eyes of his grandson Leonard. Quite a touching plot line and well thought out story, if the character of Napoleon had been written as slightly less abusive and a little more caring throughout I might have upped my rating.
I can't say I enjoyed this book. But I can recommend it, definitely not to everyone, but I know people who would enjoy this kind of read, just not me. It wasn't very intellectual, with exception to the ending, and I often find it frustrating when a book is written from a child's perspective but the author isn't very good at understanding how complex that can be, often making the child sound very simple minded in an attempt to capture a younger sounding human being. The only time this was achieved properly in this book was at the end. It was a very redeemable ending, but unfortunately too little too late.
August 20, 2022
Deși deznodământul romanului este unul lesne de intuit, totuși lectura te prinde cu ambele mâini și nu-ți mai dă voie să o lași deoparte.
Este acel tip de roman în care intriga chiar nu contează. Este romanul a cărei lecturi te scufundă în amintiri, mai ales dacă ai avut și tu un bunic erou. Am citit romanul cu melancolie, cu gândul la bunicii care nu mai sunt printre noi...
Protagoniștii romanului sunt un bunic de 85 ani și nepoțelul lui care îi va fi alături în ultima luptă. Îi vom însoți pe parcursul lecturii în micile lor aventuri. Vom asista nu doar la momentele de fericire dar și la despărțirea celor doi. (Eh, nu cred că-i mare spoiler, este cumva intuit).
Ideea centrală a romanului este să ne bucurăm de fiecare moment trăit, să percepem fiecare zi ca un dar care nu trebuie irosit.
❗️Recomand, cu drag. Promit că te va emoționa.
✍️“Nu întotdeauna ne asemănăm cu cei pe care îi admirăm.”
✍️“Nimic nu trebuie amânat «pe mai târziu».”
✍️“La urma urmei, trebuie să faci totul atunci când este posibil. Acesta este singurul lucru care trebuie reținut.”
✍️“Un om nu moare dacă cineva își mai amintește de el. Însă când nu mai e nimeni altcineva să-și amintească de tine, atunci da, ai murit în cele din urmă.”
✍️“Sensul vieții nu este deloc complicat, el constă în aceea că trebuie să-ți petreci timpul cu cei pe care îi iubești.”
✍️“Suntem întotdeauna lângă cei pe care îi iubim, chiar și atunci când nu suntem împreună.”
“Barracuda for Ever”, Pascal Ruter
Este acel tip de roman în care intriga chiar nu contează. Este romanul a cărei lecturi te scufundă în amintiri, mai ales dacă ai avut și tu un bunic erou. Am citit romanul cu melancolie, cu gândul la bunicii care nu mai sunt printre noi...
Protagoniștii romanului sunt un bunic de 85 ani și nepoțelul lui care îi va fi alături în ultima luptă. Îi vom însoți pe parcursul lecturii în micile lor aventuri. Vom asista nu doar la momentele de fericire dar și la despărțirea celor doi. (Eh, nu cred că-i mare spoiler, este cumva intuit).
Ideea centrală a romanului este să ne bucurăm de fiecare moment trăit, să percepem fiecare zi ca un dar care nu trebuie irosit.
❗️Recomand, cu drag. Promit că te va emoționa.
✍️“Nu întotdeauna ne asemănăm cu cei pe care îi admirăm.”
✍️“Nimic nu trebuie amânat «pe mai târziu».”
✍️“La urma urmei, trebuie să faci totul atunci când este posibil. Acesta este singurul lucru care trebuie reținut.”
✍️“Un om nu moare dacă cineva își mai amintește de el. Însă când nu mai e nimeni altcineva să-și amintească de tine, atunci da, ai murit în cele din urmă.”
✍️“Sensul vieții nu este deloc complicat, el constă în aceea că trebuie să-ți petreci timpul cu cei pe care îi iubești.”
✍️“Suntem întotdeauna lângă cei pe care îi iubim, chiar și atunci când nu suntem împreună.”
“Barracuda for Ever”, Pascal Ruter
February 17, 2021
This is the second book in a row I've read where the central focus is the relationship between a boy and his grandfather, and I didn't care nearly as much about Leonard and Napoleon as I did for Morrison's Stevy and Grandfather Nat. I sympathise with Napoleon's situation however his senility is no excuse for how he treats Leonard's father the whole of his life - even after we discover the plot twist about who Rocky really is. Napoleon is simply not a likeable character, and his going off the rails, excessive violence and leading a young boy astray whilst doing so is unforgivable in my book. How Leonard's parents allowed him to continue to visit Napoleon I will never understand, they must have known he wasn't safe to be around.
One character I would have loved to find out more about is Alexandre - I felt he could have played a larger part in Leonard's road to understanding.
I've read quite a few modern French novels over the last few months and they never seem to read particularly well in translation, although I have to say this was one of the stronger ones.
One character I would have loved to find out more about is Alexandre - I felt he could have played a larger part in Leonard's road to understanding.
I've read quite a few modern French novels over the last few months and they never seem to read particularly well in translation, although I have to say this was one of the stronger ones.
March 30, 2021
The cover depicts the topic well and it's centered around the old monsieur's final days. With his grandson's perspective, I see how the events were perceived and how he sees his family member's characteristics.
From the moment I started this book, the first even was quite surprising to me and I got the feeling that his life was going to be spent with crazy stuff. Those happened, I could follow, but, there were details that seem lost from the whole story. For instance, how such a little boy of 10 years old could be so wise, the secrets were unclear to me: what's actually happening?
I might look like this 🤔 when reading it, luckily I still can take some valuable messages scattered in the book.
From the moment I started this book, the first even was quite surprising to me and I got the feeling that his life was going to be spent with crazy stuff. Those happened, I could follow, but, there were details that seem lost from the whole story. For instance, how such a little boy of 10 years old could be so wise, the secrets were unclear to me: what's actually happening?
I might look like this 🤔 when reading it, luckily I still can take some valuable messages scattered in the book.
June 5, 2019
This book is both moving and hilarious at the same time. It moves and makes you laugh as you read the adventure of our heroes.
The words that come to my mind is picaresque, full of adventure, events and funny moments.
I loved the style of writing, the cast of characters and found the plot both engrossing and entertaining.
It was a very pleasant reading experience and I hope to read other works by this author soon.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
The words that come to my mind is picaresque, full of adventure, events and funny moments.
I loved the style of writing, the cast of characters and found the plot both engrossing and entertaining.
It was a very pleasant reading experience and I hope to read other works by this author soon.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
August 31, 2020
Moving story of a 10 year old boy whose grandfather, a former boxer, would like to end his life as he lived it - with gusto, breaking all the rules, and on his own terms. It's a tough gig for everyone involved with Napoleon, who is even prepared to divorce his adored wife to maintain his restless spirit. Set in Paris, it's an entertaining ride, with some sharp jabs along the way - at aged care, at medical issues, at attitudes to ageing and dying, to name just a few.
May 23, 2020
J'ai acheté ce livre parce j'avais beaucoup aimé " le cœur en braille" du même auteur.
C'est un excellent roman jeunesse qui nous parle d'une belle relation d'un grand-père un peu loufoque Napoléon et de son petit-fils , Léonard dit Coco.
L'histoire est truculente, déjantée, tendre et un peu triste et émouvante sur la fin.
J'ai souri très souvent et j'ai beaucoup aimé les réparties et les jeux de mots de Napoléon. Il est parfois énervant mais il est surtout très touchant.
J'ai adoré le lien très fort qu'il a avec son petit-fils jusqu'à parler ensemble en espéranto pour n'être compris que par eux deux.
Je me suis vraiment régalée avec cette lecture !
C'est un excellent roman jeunesse qui nous parle d'une belle relation d'un grand-père un peu loufoque Napoléon et de son petit-fils , Léonard dit Coco.
L'histoire est truculente, déjantée, tendre et un peu triste et émouvante sur la fin.
J'ai souri très souvent et j'ai beaucoup aimé les réparties et les jeux de mots de Napoléon. Il est parfois énervant mais il est surtout très touchant.
J'ai adoré le lien très fort qu'il a avec son petit-fils jusqu'à parler ensemble en espéranto pour n'être compris que par eux deux.
Je me suis vraiment régalée avec cette lecture !
September 30, 2020
The story of the last days of a person’s life sounds like it would be anything but hopeful. This book did it. Time can hide secrets, or it can weaken all your strength, but as long as you fight for love and happiness, your life is as bright and promising as that of a newborn.
October 17, 2022
Cute. Somehow reminded me of A Man Called Ove, one of my favorite books. I regret speed-reading this one, though - I wanted to find out what Napoleon's up to so I feel I missed some literature nuances here and there. Definitely a lovely read.
June 26, 2024
histoire gentille et un peu loufoque d’un vieux monsieur qui ne veut pas mourir avec une image dégradante. Du coup il divorce et se lance dans une forme d’hyperactivité avec son petit-fils ...jusqu’à ce que le destin le rattrape. Mignon.
February 4, 2020
Amazing book, very quirky, full of humor, could not stop crying close to the end.
April 3, 2022
Beautifully written funny sad tale of rascally courage. Engaging characters and poetic philosophy.
January 5, 2023
DNF…not engaging
February 7, 2017
Napoléon Bonheur, ancien boxeur puis chauffeur de taxi, décide de se renouveler à 85 ans. Il divorce, adopte un chien, refait la décoration de sa maison, projette un enlèvement, se bagarre, tout ça devant les yeux ébahis de son petit-fils complice, Léonard, et devant l’incompréhension de son ex-femme et de son fils.
C’est à travers les yeux de Léonard, dix ans, que nous découvrons l’histoire de cette famille bouleversée par Napoléon, qui du haut de ses 85 ans, n’en fait qu’à sa tête, montre à quel point il est vivant et à quel point il n’est pas une personne âgée. Léonard nous livre ainsi sa vision de l’histoire, parfois naïve mais pas si enfantine que ça. Il a déjà une perception des choses et des personnes d’une extrême justesse et d’une belle sensibilité. Son grand –père lui apparaît comme un héros, un personnage éternel, un empereur comme il le surnomme, et dont il partage avec plaisir les aventures loufoques, mais dont il va découvrir la fragilité.
Autour de cette relation unique, gravitent d’autres personnages attachants, émouvants et sincères. La grand-mère, totalement décontenancée d’avoir dû divorcer à son âge, tente de refaire sa vie dans le sud de la France, de faire des rencontres pour tenter d’oublier le mari si particulier qu’elle a tellement aimé. Le père, si différent de Napoléon, essaie de l’aider de son mieux, de se faire aimer de son père mais il se heurte à chaque fois aux remarques acérées de ce dernier. La mère est un personnage tout en finesse qui n’aime pas parler, elle économise ses mots et préfère dessiner les moments, les personnages pour en faire des livres. Elle offre avec ses dessins, sa perception des émotions des personnages. Il y a aussi Alexandre Rawcziik, un ami silencieux et secret de Léonard, qui essaie de sauver les insectes d’une mort affreuse : être écrasé par les humains lorsqu’ils marchent.
Pascal Ruter nous livre une nouvelle fois des personnages remplis de qualités, de défauts, de faiblesses, de secrets, de mystères qui les rendent tellement beaux et humains et qui font de cette histoire, une histoire exceptionnelle. En effet, sous une apparence rigolote et loufoque, se cachent une belle réflexion sur la vie, la vieillesse, la mort, les relations de famille, les non-dits, les secrets. Nos émotions sont malmenées lors de cette lecture : on sourit, on rit et puis on pleure, et parfois on fait tout en même temps.
J’avais hâte de me plonger dans ce livre car j’ai beaucoup aimé « L’amour au subjonctif » et surtout « Le cœur en braille ». Je m’attendais à être de nouveau touchée par l’écriture de Pascal Ruter, par la beauté de ses personnages, mais pas autant. J’ai vraiment été très émue par cette lecture, j’ai vibré au rythme de cette famille soumise aux inventions loufoques de ce trublion, j’ai grandi avec Léonard qui pose un regard juste, intelligent et tout en pudeur sur le monde qui l’entoure.
Un véritable coup de cœur, une lecture drôle et bouleversante en même temps ! Ce livre est peut être un livre pour adolescents, mais il parlera tout autant, voire plus aux adultes. Un livre à dévorer de toute urgence !
C’est à travers les yeux de Léonard, dix ans, que nous découvrons l’histoire de cette famille bouleversée par Napoléon, qui du haut de ses 85 ans, n’en fait qu’à sa tête, montre à quel point il est vivant et à quel point il n’est pas une personne âgée. Léonard nous livre ainsi sa vision de l’histoire, parfois naïve mais pas si enfantine que ça. Il a déjà une perception des choses et des personnes d’une extrême justesse et d’une belle sensibilité. Son grand –père lui apparaît comme un héros, un personnage éternel, un empereur comme il le surnomme, et dont il partage avec plaisir les aventures loufoques, mais dont il va découvrir la fragilité.
Autour de cette relation unique, gravitent d’autres personnages attachants, émouvants et sincères. La grand-mère, totalement décontenancée d’avoir dû divorcer à son âge, tente de refaire sa vie dans le sud de la France, de faire des rencontres pour tenter d’oublier le mari si particulier qu’elle a tellement aimé. Le père, si différent de Napoléon, essaie de l’aider de son mieux, de se faire aimer de son père mais il se heurte à chaque fois aux remarques acérées de ce dernier. La mère est un personnage tout en finesse qui n’aime pas parler, elle économise ses mots et préfère dessiner les moments, les personnages pour en faire des livres. Elle offre avec ses dessins, sa perception des émotions des personnages. Il y a aussi Alexandre Rawcziik, un ami silencieux et secret de Léonard, qui essaie de sauver les insectes d’une mort affreuse : être écrasé par les humains lorsqu’ils marchent.
Pascal Ruter nous livre une nouvelle fois des personnages remplis de qualités, de défauts, de faiblesses, de secrets, de mystères qui les rendent tellement beaux et humains et qui font de cette histoire, une histoire exceptionnelle. En effet, sous une apparence rigolote et loufoque, se cachent une belle réflexion sur la vie, la vieillesse, la mort, les relations de famille, les non-dits, les secrets. Nos émotions sont malmenées lors de cette lecture : on sourit, on rit et puis on pleure, et parfois on fait tout en même temps.
J’avais hâte de me plonger dans ce livre car j’ai beaucoup aimé « L’amour au subjonctif » et surtout « Le cœur en braille ». Je m’attendais à être de nouveau touchée par l’écriture de Pascal Ruter, par la beauté de ses personnages, mais pas autant. J’ai vraiment été très émue par cette lecture, j’ai vibré au rythme de cette famille soumise aux inventions loufoques de ce trublion, j’ai grandi avec Léonard qui pose un regard juste, intelligent et tout en pudeur sur le monde qui l’entoure.
Un véritable coup de cœur, une lecture drôle et bouleversante en même temps ! Ce livre est peut être un livre pour adolescents, mais il parlera tout autant, voire plus aux adultes. Un livre à dévorer de toute urgence !
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