The Greatest of Pierots
E-book, Czech
The Greatest of Pierots
In this extensive biographical novel, František Kožík portrayed the moving story of the pantomime master Jean Gaspard Deburau, whose real name was Jan Kašpar Dvořák.
Against the backdrop of historical events, we follow the life of an actor with Czech roots and a desire to break through in Paris, which initially seems hopeless. After a childhood spent in poverty, the family travels to France in search of a promised inheritance, where they eventually end up as street jugglers. The clumsy and inflexible Kašpar is left with the role of a clown. However, he looks into the art of pantomime and eventually succeeds in the role of Pierrot as Jean Gaspard Deberau. Loneliness, poverty and jealousy from his theatre colleagues lead him to attempt suicide. Nevertheless, his art captivated both a broad popular audience and Parisian high society. However, he still does not find happiness in his personal life. The novel offers a sad and moving study of an oversensitive artist who stubbornly pursues his dream, and although he brings joy and laughter to the audience, he himself remains a sad and melancholic Pierrot, despite his recognition.
The first edition of the novel The Greatest of Pierrots was criticized for factual inaccuracies. František Kožík therefore studied historical sources in more detail for the next edition and gradually changed and refined the prose.
