Poil de carotte

Poil de carotte

Author	Jules Renard
Original title	Poil de carotte
Language	French
Genre	autobiographical novel
Publisher	Flammarion
Publication date	1894
Publication place	France
Pages	185

Poil de carotte (Carrot head) is a long short story or autobiographical novel by Jules Renard published in 1894, which recounts the childhood and the trials of a redheaded child. It is probably in this miserable childhood story where one should look for the origins of Renard's skepticism and irony, his skill in using litotes, his dense and precise style, and his harsh method of observation. The story unfolds in a series of short sketches.

Summary

The story of "Poil de carotte" is that of an unloved redheaded child, the victim of a cruel family. François Lepic, nicknamed Poil de carotte, grows up with a mother who hates him and a father who is indifferent to him. The reader follows the journey of this young boy, the relationships with his parents, with the world around him and with nature. Poil de carotte uses cunning to battle the daily humiliations he experiences and to stand up to the adult world. So, tragedy notwithstanding, the reader enjoys delightful, amusing, comical, and moving adventures.

Adaptations

• The author adapted the story for the stage in 1900 with André Antoine.
• Julien Duvivier adapted it for the screen in 1926 and in 1932
• Paul Mesnier adapted it for the screen in 1952.
• Henri Graziani adapted it for the screen in 1972, starring Philippe Noiret and Monique Chaumette.
• Richard Bohringer adapted it for television in 2003.
• An animated cartoon was made in 1997 and broadcast on France 5.