Querelle of Brest by Jean Genet

Genet was condemned to life in prison following his 11th conviction in France. Eventually, he was granted a pardon by President Auriol as a result of appeals from France’s leading artists and writers led by the late great Jean Cocteau. 

Written mostly in 1945 and first published anonymously in 1947, Qurelle of Brest was originally limited to just 460 numbered copies, with illustrations by Jean Cocteau. It was later turned into a film ‘Querelle’ by Rainer Werner Fassbinder in 1982 which is currently available to stream on Amazon Prime and the criterionchannel. Recommend checking out the Blu Ray put out by the criterioncollection too featuring a great essay by Nathan Lee.

Genet, in reference to the film, once said that he had not seen the picture, commenting "You can't smoke at the movies."

Cover Illustration by Rod Junkins

Paperback

Published by Panther, Granada Publishing 

Reissued, 1984