Marele vestiar

Marele vestiar follows three orphans in Paris after World War II. Luc Martin goes by the name Lucky. His father fought in the Resistance and died near the war’s end. An old con man, Vanderputte, takes Lucky into his home. Two more orphans live there: Léonce and his sister Josette. Lucky falls in love with Josette. Vanderputte helps him and Léonce trade on the black market.

The young people dream of going to America. They spend with no care and copy gangsters from films. But life proves harsher than the films they love. Lucky learns of Vanderputte’s past and faces a hard choice.

Romain Gary’s novel shows life in the wake of war. We see it through a teen’s innocent, at times hopeful eyes. The book explores how good and evil can share one person. Its world cares little for children who have lost their families. Once peace comes, it casts war heroes aside too.

Gary served as a pilot with the Free French air force. He later worked as a diplomat. He won the Goncourt Prize twice. Adina Dinițoiu translated this edition and wrote its notes. The original title is Le grand vestiaire.