Customer Reviews

The Holy Innocents

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The story of a US student drawn into the fantastical lives of twins during the street riots of Paris in 1968. Matthew is soon partaking in erotic affairs of the French brother and sister. A story that is utterly evocative of the entire era, with free love and liberal thoughts, with a sprinkling of music and old movies described in detail by an obvious fan of those mediums. Adair has written a controversial masterpiece. This was filmed a few years ago quite faithfully, to the credit of the filmmakers, who didn't shy away from the sexual content (thanks to the willingness of the young actors involved).The Dreamers (Original Uncut NC-17 Version)

If you like Cocteau, and you like "Pierre" by Melville, and you like "The Kiss" by K.Harrison then these "punters" ought to be just your cuppa tea. Nothing like a little incest rendered into "art" to keep things moving in a healthy direction. In short...these are just my kind of people and I enjoyed spending time with them. Also...this books obeys the first law of show business to the "nth degree" which is of course..."Always Leave Them Wanting MORE!!!" This little tome is short, sweet, and complete. Bravo...Bravo!

The best part about this edition is that it is the author's original version. Gilbert Adair, while writing the screenplay for Bernardo Bertolucci's 2003 film adaptation, revised this novel more to his liking and re-published it under the title The Dreamers (another change the author preferred). For a completest, this is a necessary read. Its a real treat to compare both versions of the novel as a physical example of creative evolution. Paired with the film there is an enriching gradation from original novel to screenplay to film to revised novel. I found a mint copy (hardcover for $60 at an amazing rare bookstore) so I don't know why these are all priced quite so high but if you gotta have it, then you gotta have it. You wont regret it.