Description

Book Synopsis
The Criminal Childoffers the first English translation of a key early work by Jean Genet. In 1949, in the midst of a national debate about improving the French reform-school system, Radiodiffusion Française commissionedGenet to write about his experience as a juvenile delinquent. He sent back a piece that was a paean to prison instead of the expected horrifying exposé. Revisiting the cruel hazing rituals that had accompanied his incarceration, relishing the special argot spoken behind bars, Genetbitterly denounced any improvement in the condition of young prisoners as a threat to their criminal souls. The radio station chose not to broadcast Genet''s views.

''the Criminal Child'' appears here with a selection of Genet''s finest essays, including his celebrated piece on the art of Alberto Giacometti.

Criminal Child: Selected Essays

    Product form

    £13.49

    Includes FREE delivery

    RRP £14.99 – you save £1.50 (10%)

    Order before 4pm tomorrow for delivery by Wed 29 Jul 2026.

    A Paperback / softback by Jean Genet, Jeffrey Zuckerman

    1 in stock

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

      View other formats and editions of Criminal Child: Selected Essays by Jean Genet

      Publisher: The New York Review of Books, Inc
      Publication Date: Publication Date: 21/01/2020
      ISBN13: 9781681373614, 978-1681373614
      ISBN10: 1681373610
      Also in:
      Biography Anthologies

      Description

      Book Synopsis
      The Criminal Childoffers the first English translation of a key early work by Jean Genet. In 1949, in the midst of a national debate about improving the French reform-school system, Radiodiffusion Française commissionedGenet to write about his experience as a juvenile delinquent. He sent back a piece that was a paean to prison instead of the expected horrifying exposé. Revisiting the cruel hazing rituals that had accompanied his incarceration, relishing the special argot spoken behind bars, Genetbitterly denounced any improvement in the condition of young prisoners as a threat to their criminal souls. The radio station chose not to broadcast Genet''s views.

      ''the Criminal Child'' appears here with a selection of Genet''s finest essays, including his celebrated piece on the art of Alberto Giacometti.

      Recently viewed products

      © 2026 Book Curl

        • American Express
        • Apple Pay
        • Diners Club
        • Discover
        • Google Pay
        • Maestro
        • Mastercard
        • PayPal
        • Shop Pay
        • Union Pay
        • Visa

        Login

        Forgot your password?

        Don't have an account yet?
        Create account