The bathing clergyman

Foreword by Noël Arnaud.

"Le Ratichon baigneur et autres nouvelles inédites" brings together fifteen short stories written between 1946 and 1950. These stories, with a detective, romantic, or fantastic tone, often inspired by jazz culture, were only published posthumously. They show a very young Boris Vian exploring the paths that would ensure his celebrity: fantasy, truculence, derision, and the absurd, in the tradition of Alphonse Allais. What were the real motives for Cain's murder of Abel? Why is it essential to take your fiancé (or fiancée) to the swimming pool? How do you seduce a young woman who only likes impotent men? Answers to these questions and many others can be found throughout these delightful tales, several of which are set against the backdrop of a cheerful Saint-Germain-des-Prés, echoing with jazz music. In alphabetical order: .Divertissements culturels .Francfort sous-la-Main .L'Assassin .La Valse .Le Motif .Le Ratichon baigneur .Les Filles d'avril .L'Impuissant .Marthe et Jean .Maternité .Méfie-toi de l'orchestre .Un test .Un drôle de sport .Une grande vedette .Un métier de chien.