Name: The Short Reign of Pippin IV
Rating: 3.642857142857143 (7 reviews)
ISBN: 9780140187496

John Steinbeck

Being drafted as ruler of France has life-changing consequences for M. Pippin Arnult Heristal, amateur astronomer, and for his wife, his art-dealer uncle, his glamour-struck daughter, and others of and not of his circle

A Fabrication

The Short Reign of Pippin IV

In his only work of political satire, The Short Reign of Pippin IV, John Steinbeck turns the French Revolution upside down as amateur astronomer Pippin Héristal is drafted to rule the unruly French. Steinbeck creates around the infamous Pippin the most hilarious royal court ever: Pippin’s wife, Queen Marie, who “might have taken her place at the bar of a very good restaurant”; his uncle, a man of dubious virtue; his glamour-struck daughter and her beau, the son of the so-called “egg king” of Petaluma, California; and a motley crew of courtiers and politicians, guards and gardeners. This edition includes an introduction by Robert Morsberger and Katharine Morsberger.

A.L.L.

This was a surprisingly charming book. 

Steinbeck has some diverse works under his belt, and yet despite that I think this book may be the most unlike the other things he's written. It certainly struck a different chord than I am used to from Steinbeck. True, it still had many of the elements Steinbeck is well known for. There is a touch of Americana in some of the characters that were "American Royalty" not royal by blood, but by stature. There is the expected wit and eye for humanity that Steinbeck has as well, yet still felt apart from his other works to me. 

But the long and short of it is: this book was humorous and humble and it charmed me completely. It's in my top 5 for Steinbeck Books.

Infamous Millimetre

Gabe Cortez

Steinbeck's only work of political satire turns the French Revolution on its head, as amateur astronomer Pippin Heristal is drafted in to rule the unruly French. Enchanting comedy ensues as Steinbeck creates the most hilarious royal court ever around the brief, bold reign of the corduroy-clad Pippin, his social-climbing wife Maria, his star-struck daughter Clotilde and her Californian beau, Todd. Featuring a motley crew of courtiers and con men, guards and gardeners, Steinbeck's late comic novel is an entrancing read about politics, power and the daily struggle not to lose one's head!

The Short Reign of Pippin IV A Fabrication

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