This year, these are the 400 years since the birth of Molière and on this occasion many activities and many shows are offered throughout France. It must be said that he left an indelible mark as an analyst of the human condition. The French comedy in Paris also offers no less than 13 highlights around the playwright. And if I speak to you about this mythical place it is also because Flammarion Jeunesse is associated with the French comedy to publish an original work around the Bourgeois Gentilhomme in a theater collection for 9-11 year olds.
It is indeed the original text but in a abridged version. That said, we will of course have the pleasure of finding the cult lines and the essential scenes. And where it’s clever is that the illustrations are very present, especially at the start in the list of characters.
And then there is another find: that of a very nice little cat who is there and accompanies the little readers, often in the margin on the side to explain a dialogue or before the start of a scene to resituate. Unlike Molière’s characters, the cat speaks in a modern and very accessible language. For example, when Monsieur Jourdain understands with his philosophy teacher that he does prose without knowing it, the cat tells us: “If prose is the opposite of verse, then that means that we all speak in prose without knowing it. “Realize it! For example, human caress my back! Try you too”.
And in the end there is everything a folder called “Behind the Scenes”. With the 10 key dates to remember about the author, things to know about the authors he frequented, about the theater… It’s really very well done, accessible and innovative while respecting the classic of the work .
Astrid Chauvineau is an associate of letters and has taught middle and high school students. Bérangère Delporte has illustrated many albums.
I warmly recommend this Bourgeois Gentilhomme there.