Querelle

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Jean Genet: Querelle (1974, Grove Press : distributed by Random House)

276 pages

English language

Published Feb. 17, 1974 by Grove Press : distributed by Random House.

ISBN:
978-0-8021-0010-8
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From Wikipedia:

Spoiler alert!

The plot centers on the handsome Belgian sailor Georges Querelle, who is also a thief and murderer. When his ship, the Vengeur, arrives in Brest, he visits the Feria, a bar and brothel for sailors run by the madame Lysiane, whose lover Robert is Querelle's brother. Querelle has a love/hate relationship with his brother; when they meet at La Feria, they embrace, but also punch one another slowly and repeatedly in the belly. Lysiane's husband Nono tends bar and manages La Feria's underhanded affairs with the assistance of his friend, the corrupt police captain Mario.

Querelle makes a deal to sell opium to Nono, and murders his accomplice Vic. After delivering the drugs, Querelle announces that he wants to sleep with Lysiane. He knows that this means he will have to throw dice with Nono, who, as Lysiane's husband, has the privilege of playing a game …

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