- Paperback: 129 pages
- Publisher: City Lights Books (1 Jan 2003)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 087286409X
- ISBN-13: 978-0872864092
- Product Dimensions: 18.8 x 12.6 x 0.8 cm
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 828,776 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Product Description
"Mygale" [MIG-uh-lee] n.: a genus of large tropical spiders. . . .
Richard Lafargue, a well-known plastic surgeon, pursues and captures Vincent Moreau, who raped Lafargue's daughter and left her hopelessly mad in an asylum. Lafargue is determined to exact an atrocious vengeance, and an ambiguous, even sadomasochistic relationship develops between self-appointed executioner and victim.
"Great art in nightmarish darkness."--Michel Lebrun
Thierry Jonquet (b. 1954, Paris) is an exponent of the hardboiled style of French noir that is inflected by post-May 1968 politics and social critique. His crime novels and children's books have garnered many literary prizes.
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7 reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Strange, weird, great
10 Mar 2003
Format:Paperback
Jonquet is a French author of children's books, which I am somewhat familiar with. They are good, enjoyable books. I had never read any of his other works, although I did know he had published some mysteries and essays. This novel is one of those, and it is quite a discovery if you ask me. Jonquet depicts a relationship between a man and a woman that is so strange and twisted as to be called surreal. Are they husband and wife? Father and daughter? Lovers? Associates? Acquaintances? Brother and sister? The answer could be any or every one of those. And who is the wounded man? Where do they come together? This book would be great inspiration for a David Lynch or Stanley Kubrick film. This is a world where the crime is accepted and exalted, by its very victim. The story grips the reader tightly, and doesn't let go until the very end. Good thing this is a short book, because I couldn't stop reading.
I gave it four stars, because I began to glimpse the answer to the mystery about halfway through the book. But the story is fascinating in its weirdness, the characters are twisted but somehow likable enough, and the story presents an idea so bold and original as to be shocking by the time it is revealed. Even if you somehow saw it coming.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Revenge. Sweet Revenge.
7 Jan 2008
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Near the beginning of MYGALE, we realize that Richard Lafargue, a prominent plastic surgeon, although he treats his woman Eve pleasantly in the presence of others, indeed hates her guts with a searing intensity. As for Eve, although she is locked up at night in her bedroom, we cannot help but wonder why she does not run away or tell someone of her confinement and brutalization when she is around others. After all, it is not like Lafargue is hiding her. He takes her to local parties and such. And, a couple of times a month, he takes her to a Paris apartment where she is used sexually by paying customers, while Lafargue watches with pleasure through a one-way mirror and laughs at Eve's humiliation.
The mystery slowly unfolds in this intriguing tale of revenge. Lafargue has shackled Eve on to him in a rather unique manner. Although the plot device starts to become apparent about halfway through the book, the originality of it nonetheless allows MYGALE to maintain the steam through to the end. Despite her hatred of Lafargue and her humiliation at his hands, Eve cannot go back to the life she once knew.
Along the way we meet Alex, a thug on the run after killing a cop. His story becomes interwoven with that of Eve, Lafargue, and Lafargue's daughter, who is confined to a mental institution. The loose ends come together tightly as we learn the full truth of what has happened.
I picked up MYGALE as it is published by the same noir division of City Lights Books that published a couple of excellent thrillers by Jean-Patrick Manchette. MYGALE lacks the action of Manchette's books and is more subtle and psychological in nature. But the books share the same terse prose and, although it takes a different approach to noir, MYGALE is, like Manchette's books, worth the time.
Also read:
The Prone Gunman (City Lights Noir), Jean-Patrick Manchette
Three To Kill, Jean-Patrick Manchette
The mystery slowly unfolds in this intriguing tale of revenge. Lafargue has shackled Eve on to him in a rather unique manner. Although the plot device starts to become apparent about halfway through the book, the originality of it nonetheless allows MYGALE to maintain the steam through to the end. Despite her hatred of Lafargue and her humiliation at his hands, Eve cannot go back to the life she once knew.
Along the way we meet Alex, a thug on the run after killing a cop. His story becomes interwoven with that of Eve, Lafargue, and Lafargue's daughter, who is confined to a mental institution. The loose ends come together tightly as we learn the full truth of what has happened.
I picked up MYGALE as it is published by the same noir division of City Lights Books that published a couple of excellent thrillers by Jean-Patrick Manchette. MYGALE lacks the action of Manchette's books and is more subtle and psychological in nature. But the books share the same terse prose and, although it takes a different approach to noir, MYGALE is, like Manchette's books, worth the time.
Also read:
The Prone Gunman (City Lights Noir), Jean-Patrick Manchette
Three To Kill, Jean-Patrick Manchette
The Chatoic Web of Mygale
19 May 2012
Format:Paperback
When opening the pages of Mygale, one would assume that the read will be short and light in this novella. But this truly disturbing and brilliant work carries a thick message. Thierry Jonquet's Mygale reaches out and grabs hold of you. The characters are multidimensional, and the plot is horrific, yet simple and elegant.
Mygale is a story of revenge. Plastic Surgeon, Richard Lafargue, takes a personal vendetta against Vincent, who raped his daughter, leaving her insane. A vengeful, tortured, and sadomasochistic relationship forms. Jonquet does a great job with making a thriller beyond pulp. A story I can only relate to "As I Lay Dying", which itself is a very terrifying classic book. This book that makes your skin crawl, but the execution turns the semi-repulsion into an addiction.
Richard Larfargue, Vincent, and Vera are truly spectacular. They are all become real, yet very haunted characters. We form a love and disgust, their pain and sins becomes ours. Their psychological impact is huge part of the plot. The end is truly haunting but remains intellectual.
I would not suggest this book to my peers, as I am afraid it will open doors to conversations, feelings, and a literary perspective that they are not ready for. But to the psyche-thriller-adventurist, there will not be a book more vivid or outstanding.
Splitting miniscule atoms can bring forth uncontrolled energy, this book takes that further, Thierry Jonquet does not converts energy, he breaks the laws of Newton and creates energy... Energy that will leave a tremendous aftershocks in your mind and soul.
Mygale is a story of revenge. Plastic Surgeon, Richard Lafargue, takes a personal vendetta against Vincent, who raped his daughter, leaving her insane. A vengeful, tortured, and sadomasochistic relationship forms. Jonquet does a great job with making a thriller beyond pulp. A story I can only relate to "As I Lay Dying", which itself is a very terrifying classic book. This book that makes your skin crawl, but the execution turns the semi-repulsion into an addiction.
Richard Larfargue, Vincent, and Vera are truly spectacular. They are all become real, yet very haunted characters. We form a love and disgust, their pain and sins becomes ours. Their psychological impact is huge part of the plot. The end is truly haunting but remains intellectual.
I would not suggest this book to my peers, as I am afraid it will open doors to conversations, feelings, and a literary perspective that they are not ready for. But to the psyche-thriller-adventurist, there will not be a book more vivid or outstanding.
Splitting miniscule atoms can bring forth uncontrolled energy, this book takes that further, Thierry Jonquet does not converts energy, he breaks the laws of Newton and creates energy... Energy that will leave a tremendous aftershocks in your mind and soul.
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