Product Details

• Published on: 1952
• Binding: Unknown Binding

Customer Reviews

Like a twisted "Dangerous Liaisons"
Elisabeth and Paul, siblings, are orphaned in adolescence and build a private, closed world for themselves that slowly isolates them in their own brand of madness. When Elisabeth discovers that Paul is falling in love with a girl named Agatha (who reminds him of his childhood love Dargelos), she manipulates Gérard (who's in love with Elisabeth) into marrying Agatha. Paul tries to kill himself and confesses to Agatha, and the two piece together Elisabeth's treachery, leading to the story's final, implosive end. Cocteau's novel is magnificent, and wait until you see the movie based on this...

I love this book
The book starts out as an innocent coming-of-age story but transforms itself into a macabre phantasmagoric thriller towards the end.

Breathtakingly beautiful Cocteau's style illuminates the themes of teenage friendship and love, jealousy and cruelty, his imagination creating grotesque and twisted but eminently fascinating and haunting images.

Everybody has their reasons
Jean Cocteu's work is beyond compare & The Holy Terrors (Les Enfants Terribles) is a great starter kit for those unfamiliar with his genius.

Cocteau works his magic slowly & once you're under its spell, you won't put up a fight. Try it, you'll like it...it's an all ages show.