Confessions of Dan Yack by Blaise Cendrars
Back in August last year, I read Cendrars’ first book about the picaresque adventurer Dan Yack; I’ve had the second volume sitting on my shelves for a while and the sad passing of its publisher, Peter Owen, recently prompted me to pick the book up. At the end of the first story Yack had escaped from the arctic and straight into WW1. This book continues his story, but not in a linear fashion as much of it is told retrospectively.
Yack was a man obsessed with technology in the form of record players, and in this book he has discovered dictaphone cylinders. In a series of chapters corresponding with the nine cylinders he’s recorded, he tells the story of his love for Mireille. He encounters the latter on Armistice Day in Paris; the daughter of one of his many lovers, she immediately captivates Yack and is herself smitten by him. Yack sweeps her off her feet, providing her with money, a palatial lifestyle and even setting up a film studio so that she can take up acting. However, watching him looking back from his vantage point in 1925 we know that things did not go well, and in alternating narratives made up of Yack’s voice and Mireille’s diaries, we learn their story.
Mireille is a damaged, troubled girl; growing up in the country with an adored father, after his death she’s thrown into a convent by her mother where she languishes. Her attachment to Yack is intense, and he will do anything for her; the cinema is one of their joint loves, and so it seems inevitable that she’ll end up acting. However, the parts she ends up taking on are strange, wraith-like roles inspired by Poe, which seem to drain her of energy. Her health is weak in any event and it becomes clear that she’s not long for the world. As counterpoint to the love story, Yack reaches back to his life in the arctic and the arrival of the Germans as the war broke out, relating his escape and return to Europe.
But always he returns to Mireille. As he gradually reveals their story, Yack begins to explore their relationship and it becomes clear that it was not a conventional one; it seems that it was not consummated and the reader can’t help thinking that Mireille was looking for a father-figure, and perhaps Yack a daughter-figure. It’s a dark and melancholy tale which I read rapidly but which is still resonating with me quite some time after reading it.
Much of Cendrars’ work is described as semi-autobiographical although to what extent he drew on his own life for “Confessions…” I don’t know. Certainly he fought in the First World War as did Yack, but Cendrars lost his right arm in 1915 and was invalided out. He went on to be a significant presence in modernist writing but seems to have slipped out of sight again, which is a shame. I shan’t forget the tales of Dan Yack in a hurry and kudos to Peter Owen for keeping his work in print and available.
Jun 27, 2016 @ 07:02:45
This does sound haunting – I’ll have to look out for this author.
Jun 27, 2016 @ 08:23:04
It’s strange but rather wonderful and very evocative -it sort of nags in your brain ages after you’ve read it.
Jun 27, 2016 @ 07:51:02
Another of your very interesting reads and it’s so good to have all these small publishers looking after people’s reputations.
AND I’ve finally caught up with my blog reading!
Jun 27, 2016 @ 08:22:26
It is – Peter Owen have championed so many writers, often European ones. Thanks goodness these publishers keep promoting the more obscure stuff. And well done – all caught up, yay!
Jun 27, 2016 @ 08:46:34
Another writer on my TBR this year shelf. I bought Moravagine after it was referenced in another book I read. Have you read that one?
Jun 27, 2016 @ 09:49:58
To be honest, I’m not sure… I had it on my wishlist for years (decades, even) but I can’t remember if I ever managed to track it down. So obviously I need to get a copy to see if I remember anything about it… 😉
Jun 27, 2016 @ 11:10:54
Like you, I was very sad to hear of the passing of Peter Owen, so I can understand why you turned to this book. Cendrars is new to me, but I’ll keep him in mind for the future (the two or three Peter Owens currently sitting on my shelves will have to come first). Lovely review as ever, Karen.
Jun 27, 2016 @ 11:33:45
Thanks Jacqui. Yes, I was very sad at the loss of Peter Owen – what a committed publisher, and his constant help of Anna Kavan was going above and beyond the call of duty. Cendrars is an intriguing character – no doubt I’ll end up reading more of him in due course!
Jun 27, 2016 @ 16:09:07
I remember your previous review about Dan Yack. This sounds wonderful too.
Jun 27, 2016 @ 16:27:18
It is – very evocative and a story that really stays with you.
Jun 28, 2016 @ 10:11:25
Sounds interesting. I read Gold in my youth and was put off by the dryness of his style.
Jun 28, 2016 @ 10:23:09
Interesting – that’s not one I’ve read and I’m not sure whether the subject matter would appeal – though in the hands of the right writer it could be good!
Jun 28, 2016 @ 19:46:30
Not a writer I’ve ever read but one who came up a lot in recent tributes to Peter Owen. Sounds worth exploring.
Jun 28, 2016 @ 20:01:51
He certainly had an interesting life if you check out his Wikipedia! Worth reading, I think – I tend to find that if Peter Owen championed them, they warrant investigation.
Jun 28, 2016 @ 20:54:47
I read the Dan Yack books a while back after buying a batch of P Owen books. As others have said its sad to lose this bold publisher – I’ve written about several A Kavans on my blog. Didn’t cover Cendrars, but he’s a true original
Jun 28, 2016 @ 21:29:55
Indeed – they don’t make them like PO any more. I keep meaning to revisit the Kavans on my shelves, but new ones get in the way all the time – she was a one-off too!
Jul 05, 2016 @ 01:52:25
I don’t know this writer at all, but have been fond of Peter Owens since he published Anna Kavan. Very sorry to hear about his death!
Jul 05, 2016 @ 11:20:58
Peter Owen was a wonderful maverick publisher – they don’t make individuals like that any more, and for his championing of Kavan alone he would merit thanks!