GeminiTournier's novel is a love story that uses the theme of twinship to explore a near infinity of dualities. Jean and Paul are identical twins. Outsiders, even their parents, cannot tell them apart, and call them Jean-Paul. The mysterious bond between them excludes all others; they speak their own language; they are one perfectly harmonious unit; they are, in all innocence, lovers. For Paul, this unity is paradise, but as they grow up Jean rebels against it. He takes a mistress and deserts his brother, but Paul sets out to follow him in a pilgrimage that leads all around the world, through places that reflect their separation—the mirrored halls of Venice, the Zen gardens of Japan, the newly divided city of Berlin. The exquisite love story of Jean-Paul is set against the ugliness and pain of human existence. Gemini is a novel of extraordinary proportions, intricate images, and profound thought, in which Michel Tournier tells his fascinating story with an irresistible humor. |
Contents
The Pierres Sonnantes | 9 |
The Anointing of Alexandre | 24 |
The Hill of the Innocents | 41 |
The Quarrys Quarry | 63 |
Heaven and Hell | 87 |
The Identical Twins | 119 |
The Philippine Pearls | 145 |
Wild Strawberries | 189 |
The Anointing of Alexandre 24 | 24 |
The Hill of the Innocents 41 | 41 |
The Quarrys Quarry 63 | 63 |
Heaven and Hell 87 | 87 |
The Identical Twins 119 | 119 |
The Philippine Pearls 145 | 145 |
Wild Strawberries 189 | 189 |
Fur and Feather 207 | 207 |
Fur and Feather | 207 |
Almond Turnovers | 221 |
ΧΙ The SaintEscobille Train | 235 |
The Breaking of Stones | 251 |
Death of a Hunter | 265 |
Misadventure | 279 |
Venetian Mirrors | 305 |
The Island of the Lotus Eaters | 333 |
Icelandic Pentecost | 357 |
Japanese Gardens | 371 |
The Vancouver Seal | 393 |
The Prairie Surveyors | 403 |
Behind the Berlin Wall | 417 |
The Extended Soul | 437 |
The Pierres Sonnantes 9 | 9 |
Almond Turnovers 221 | 221 |
The SaintEscobille Train 235 | 235 |
The Breaking of Stones 251 | 251 |
Death of a Hunter 265 | 265 |
Misadventure 279 | 279 |
Venetian Mirrors 305 | 305 |
The Island of the Lotus Eaters 333 | 333 |
Icelandic Pentecost 357 | 357 |
Japanese Gardens 371 | 371 |
The Vancouver Seal 393 | 393 |
The Prairie Surveyors 403 | 403 |
Behind the Berlin Wall 417 | 417 |
The Extended Soul 437 | 437 |