Frederic Begbeder "Ideal": a summary, reviews

One of the most popular contemporary authors is Frederic Begbeder. "Ideal" is a novel published in 2007. This book is not so popular, as, for example, "99 francs" and "Love lives three years", but it is no less sarcastic, cynical and peculiar humor - characteristic features inherent in the writings of a scandalous writer. In this article we will talk about the novel "Ideal" Begbedera. This book is of interest to Russian readers primarily because it is inspired by the stay of the French prose writer in Moscow and Nizhny Novgorod.

Those who do not yet know who the author of the novel "Ideal" - Frederic Begbeder - should say a few words about the fashionable writer, director, and in the past a member of a major advertising agency.

about the author

Begbeder began to write the book "Ideal" when he reached the forty-year mark. The writer was born in 1965, in a small town near Paris. His mother was engaged in literary translations. Father is the creator of the first French private electric grid.

Begbeder graduated from the Institute of Political Studies, and then received a major in advertising and marketing. Thanks to this sphere, he became famous. In the 90s, a high-paid copywriter wrote several short stories that did not arouse much interest among readers. Then, having decided to put an end to his career in the advertising business, Begbeder wrote a book-exposure. In the novel "99 francs" he did not regret either himself or his colleagues at the agency Young and Rubicam. The copywriter, of course, was fired, but the novel, which is a satire on the advertising business, brought to its author considerable fees. The hero of the book - Octave - later appeared on the pages of the work "Ideal".

Begbeder and Russia

In his books there are no sentimental exclamations either to his native Paris, or to the cold Moscow. Some readers do not perceive Begbeder's creativity precisely because of the cynical phrases present in the abundance in the pages of his novels. Nevertheless, the writer respects Russian culture with due respect, which can not be overlooked by reading the novel Ideal.

Begbeder in Moscow was more than once. Not so long ago, in 2016, he again visited the Russian capital. During his last stay in Moscow, the best-selling author of the early 2000s answered questions from journalists. In particular, he explained how and how he acquired the reputation of a snob and a communist (which in Europe and the United States is almost synonymous with the word "criminal"), told how the film was created on the book "Ideal" (Begbeder invited to the role of Russian Oligarch Alexei Guskov), told that he is a big fan of Ivan Turgenev.

Ideal

In the novel, the author without embellishment presented the glamorous, near-oligarchical world of Russia in the 21st century. Octav Parango comes to Moscow in order to find a new face for advertising a "high-quality" cosmetic. The hero of the book is looking for a new Kate Moss or another Claudia Schiffer. At the same time, he plunged into the reality of Russian reality, which differed somewhat from his previous ideas about the life of compatriots Turgenev and Chekhov.

The narrative, as in other books of Begbeder, is conducted from the first person. Octave talks about what he is facing on duty in Moscow and Nizhny Novgorod. And what does he see in Russian cities?

It turns out that connoisseurs of Chekhov's prose are not found here more often than in Paris. Each representative of the fair sex (starting from age 13) dreams only of money and a bright life. Around debauchery and venality (which, incidentally, are components of the natural habitat for Octave). In conclusion, while in a state of frustration, the hero of the book becomes a terrorist.

"Ideal" Begbedera: reviews

The novel is filled with author's aphorisms, deep and witty. But not everyone likes Breadbeder's books. And Russian-speaking readers often quite often react negatively. Comments on the novel "Ideal" negative and positive, perhaps, is in equal proportions. Someone likes the style and manner of Begbeder's narrative, his capacious and sarcastic judgments. But for someone, the French writer's statements about Russia are nothing but slander and a slander.

Hero Begbedera argues that for the Russians for a quarter of a century the only entertainment was carnal pleasures. At the same time he makes an amendment: in addition to vodka and tapping. Russia, he calls a country of conscious amnesia and unpunished crimes. Many more original judgments can be found in Ideal. To make up your own opinion about their truthfulness, it is worth reading Begbedder's novel.