Farewell to the King (novel)
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 | |
| Author | Pierre Schoendoerffer |
|---|---|
| Original title | L'Adieu au Roi |
| Translator | Xan Fielding |
| Language | French |
| Publisher | Éditions Grasset |
Publication date | 1 December 1969 |
| Publication place | France |
Published in English | 1 September 1970 |
| Pages | 299 |
Farewell to the King (French: L'Adieu au Roi) is a 1969 novel by the French writer Pierre Schoendoerffer.
The novel is set during World War II and centres on Learoyd, an Irish deserter from the battle of Singapore, who has become the king of a headhunting tribe in the jungles of Borneo.[1]
An inspiration for the main character was Tom Harrisson. Schoendoerffer originally conceived the story as a film project, but changed it into a novel.[2]
Reception
The novel became a bestseller in France.[2] It was awarded the Prix Interallié.[3]
Kirkus Reviews wrote that the novel is reminiscent of Joseph Conrad's works. The critic complimented Schoendoerffer's "use of a raw and terrifying jungle landscape" to portray "the varied ethic of war", but wrote that there is "an excess of tremulous commentary which transports Learoyd out of belief and reality".[1]