Customer Reviews

The Short Reign of Pippin IV: A Fabrication

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I must state that one of the main reasons I laid my hands on this "fabrication" was that I wanted to see how John Steinbeck handled satire and humor, which are far cries from the drama of his more famous works "Of Mice and Men" and "The Grapes of Wrath." He did not fail me. "The Short Reign of Pippin IV" is engrossing and, of course to a certain extent, funny. The characters (even though they show hints of borrowed traits from Steinbeck's other wide range of characters) are fresh.

M. Pippin Arnulf Heristal: A French amateur astronomer and codiscoverer of the Elysee Comet, Pippin is of the holy blood of Charlemagne who resides at the novel's opening in Number One Avenue de Marigny in Paris with Marie, his solidly, bourgeois wife, and Clotilde, his 20-year-old daughter in revolt "against everything she could think of."

Charles Martel: As Pippin's uncle, he offers advice to his nephew in "matters spiritual and temporal" while being a genteel dealer in unsigned paintings, other art and bric-a-brac, and loans on the side.

Tod Johnson: Clotilde's American suitor on tour in France is the son of the Egg King in Petaluma and occasionally spews out suggestions to Pippin for handling power.

The story is quite simple. Pippin is pressured by French political leaders in the year of 19-- to accept the crown of France because of his birthright. The poor fellow just wants to record cosmic showers and dwell in the peace of his family. Yet it is not so easy to reject the notion since he is told that France needs him, and who can ignore that? It seems a coincidence that all 42 political sections decide to support monarchy "for different reasons beneficial to" themselves. So Pippin and his family move into Versailles along with 200 penniless aristocrats. And that is where Pippin takes his role seriously as king much to the chargrin of the delegates (and his wife who feels left out and goes to Sister Hyacinthe for advice). In the few months of his rule, the king tries desperately to understand his subjects' conditions and to discern the relationships among power, corruption, and fear. Exactly how Pippin's reign ends in France is a worldly lesson to all on what "the good life" is. As Uncle Charlie warns Pippin,"When a pawn tries to do the work of the government--then the pawn is a fool."

"The Short Reign of Pippin IV" is a masterful novel of events that could have occured with the welcome of witty humor. Who knew that a monarchy could be run like that of a corporation with stockholders? Despite the fact this novel is fiction, it conveys a message that is closer to the truth in the realm of politics and government and that in itself is frightening. --P.J. Persad

I stumbled upon this book while looking for more reading on John Steinbeck. This easy read is short and charming. Pippin finds himself suddenly crowned as king after France decides to resort to monarchy. His country does well by him, and eagerly accepts him until he attempts to actually use his power. Not quite "Of Mice and Men" or "The Grapes of Wrath," but an unusual look at the French Revolution turned upside down.

Do not be misled by the fact that Steinbeck have written better books, this is indeed a good one.
It is extremely well written and you will go through it fully enjoying the story and the characters. While this book is only a satire, Steinbeck does a very good job in studying the nature of man when politics, power and government are concerned. Even if the author attitude may seem different from his first novels, and while he may seem more cynical and resigned, he is still a very keen observer of a world that has drastically changed from the one he used to describe.
The only (minor) flaw of this book is that sometimes Steinbeck try to go back to his typical epic and evocative style, which seems a bit out of place in a satire such this.

Someone once said "I cannot read more than ten pages of Steinbeck without throwing up." It is a feeling that I share wholeheartedly. I've found the novels of his that I've read to be bleak, depressing, and punctuated with lovingly rendered depictions of disease and gore.

However, this book (as well as "The Deeds of King Arthur"), to some degree redeems Steinbeck in my eyes.

I found it in a used bookstore, and I was so intrigued by the idea of John Steinbeck writing a comedy, that I bought it immediately.

Its a farcical tale of a French Astronomer who, by some twist of fate, is briefly appointed King of France. In its style, it is reminiscent of novels by other famous authors, such as Dumas and Voltaire. It did not have me rolling in the aisles with mirth, but there were so many beautifully turned comic phrases and situations, that I was just in awe that this was the same man who had written the book "The Black Pearl" (in my mind, one of the most utterly disgusting books I have ever read). If he had added a bit more of the comic touches he used in this book, to his other novels, such as "East of Eden," I believe he would have humanized them, and would have better succeeded in conveying his message.

"Pippin IV" is a true little gem as full of mirth and humor as his other works are full of misery and despair. I highly reccomend it, especially if you are not fond of Steinbeck's works. If nothing else, it will give you an appreciation of his technical abilities as a writer.

John Steinbeck again proves to be one of the great writers of the 20th century with the political satire "The Short Reign of Pippin IV". The synopsis on the back cover of the book accurately describes it as a "dazzling, effervescent satire on practically everything."

When the political factions of France can not decide in which direction the country's leadership should go, they decide the only way to unite the country is unite them behind the mutual dislike of a king. Enter the illegitimate son of the former king and amateur astronomer, Pippin. The factions of the government make a reluctant king of Pippin. As the title suggests, Pippin's reign is short. When he realizes the factions of the government have crowned him to be a patsy, he tries to fix the system of government. Of course, this leads to Pippin's depose. While keenly aware of the consequences of speaking his mind, Pippin did it anyway.

This satire reveals a side of Steinbeck not seen in his other works. While Steinbeck is critical of government, he never blantantly mocks a system. Many of the surprises of this book are best discovered by the reader. Satire is best discovered by yourself.

The Short Reign of King Pippin IV is an amusing satire but subpar Steinbeck It takes place in contemporary France and mocks the factionalism and the ability of the French of that era to put together a stable government because of there were so many parties. Acommon joke among diplomats in Paris at that time was if you didnt like the French ubiquitiouser of wait a few months and it would change. In the scenario Steinbeck creats the parliament decides to bring the royalty back and they pick the bookkeeper of one of the former nobility to do the job. The satire is hit and miss some of it is over the top and even somewhat of cheap shots at the French .He mocks America as well At the end of the day it is Pippins characterization that is more o three because of S than the satire and the book is lighter than air it is subpar Steinbeck . I would give this book 3 and a half stars if Ihad the option I lower it to three because of Steinbecks talent. Conversely if it was a lesser writer I might have raised it to 4 stars

Steinbeck very well handles the 'complicated' topic of the french politics. I liked the way, he makes us laugh at the french history with references to Louis 14 with Versailles or Louis 16 ... the comparison between the american way of thinking and the french one...
He doesnt 'attack' any of them directly, and that s what I call a good satire ...

Pippin is a lark of a novel. It has the combination af subtle wordplay and broad humor of the best of Monty Python. What it lacks is the dark intensity of some of Steinbeck's greatest work. I say this not as a critism, but more so that you can know what to expect. The descriptions of the myriad political parties fighting around the coronation of Pippin are particularly funny and Kafkaesque (albeit a hell of a lot funnier). Definitely recommended if you are in the mood for something light and pleasant.

An unexpected and undervalued delight. Hilarious satire in Steinbeck's beautifully economic prose. A very far cry from his grittier American work (Cannery Row is my favourite book of all time) showing an astonishing ability to get under the skin of France. Lovely. A great present for fathers, especially slightly distracted ones.

Great book for presentation to candidates for political office. Some 80 political parties agree to re-establish/elect monarchy for single-issue, self-centered,political reason. Each comes back to collect its political debt.