Mood Indigo

It is a pity that Boris Vian has no name recognition in the anglo-saxon world. Much to blame is probably the uniqueness of his language and unconventional writing approach. This refreshing tale encompasses youth, love and the fleeting aspect of all that is precious in life.

I read this book 15 years ago, it really changed my look to literature, to language to life. I will have the foreword/preface written on my epitaph. it was something like this-forgive my poor translation-"...everything I said is true, because I dreamt about it."

I read this book for the first time back in 1986. And upon completing it, I was at loss for words. At loss for breath. I had changed into another person. To me, this book was a rite of passage. I knew that from this moment on, there was no need for me to read another book - ever. I have to confess that I kept on reading - but still, it remains perhaps the book that had the most profound effect on me and my life.This book killed me.And gave me new life.

This is not a review but good news for all of us who have failed to find this wonderful book in English. I could not believe there wasn't a translation, I could not give up, and after several researches I now KNOW: the English version DOES exist! :) Now it is just a matter of time and luck to get it...I found this on a Vian website:"Stanley Chapman is the world's foremost translator of Boris Vian. His version of Froth on the Daydream was issued as a Penguin modern classic and can probably still be found second hand."

11/22/96, rating=10: "L'Ecume Des Jours" tells a bizarre, intriguing story of the young Colin and his strange friends. The story itself is wonderful, but the way in which it is written is the main reason why this novel is one of the best I've ever read. And reread. Boris Vian is like a magician the way he puts words and sentences together and makes it all a brilliant work of art. It is a real "language party". This book has been called "one of the most beautiful contemporary love stories", but don't expect sappy romance. This is bizarre, it is surprising, it is totally different from any other "love story", and above all: It is hillarious. A friend of mine tried to read a Norwegian version this book on a train from Paris to Normandy, and she just had to put it down because of all the funny glances she got: she was laughing and choking constantly, tears running down her cheeks and mascara all over her face. It is so funny, you just can't stop laughing, even during the sad and rather grotesque scenes. The optimism of Colin in spite of successive tragic occurences in his life is just amazing. And the way Vian describes it is even more appalling. This book could be looked upon as a modern fairytale, a critisism of society, a love story; whatever you like. Enjoy!