TEHRAN- French writer Jean Dutourd’s novel “The Best Butter” (Au Bon Beurre) has recently been published in Persian. 

Mahmoud Goudarzi is the translator of the book, which has been published by Ofoq Publications in Tehran. 

Originally published in 1952, “The Best Butter” captures the complexities of life during the German occupation of France in World War II. The story revolves around the Poissonard family, owners of a creamery called "Au Bon Beurre" located in the Ternes district of Paris, and Léon Lécuyer, an escaped prisoner of war and son of one of their clients.

The narrative unfolds in four main parts, chronicling the Poissonards' unethical dealings in the black market to circumvent food rationing and improve their profits. Charles-Hubert Poissonard, the opportunistic husband, justifies his actions through self-serving rationalizations while his wife Julie assists him by tampering with products. Their children embody the familial dysfunction: Jeannine is a bookish daughter, and Henri is a spoiled child.

Léon's plight begins with his escape from a camp, only to find himself betrayed by the Poissonards when they report him. He seeks refuge among friends and contemplates joining the resistance. Meanwhile, the Poissonards thrive through duplicitous practices, initially collaborating with the occupying German forces but later distancing themselves from collaboration as they face backlash.

As Léon integrates into the resistance in Lyon, marrying Madeleine, he grapples with personal sacrifice and the moral quandaries of his situation. The Poissonards’ pride escalates when they visit Vichy to present eggs to Marshal Pétain, showcasing their perceived loyalty to the regime. However, when they employ a new servant, Léonie, her sharp instincts ultimately lead to their unraveling; she alerts the authorities to their fraudulent activities.

In the final part of the novel, as the war draws to a close, Léon is imprisoned but finds solidarity with fellow inmates and eventually becomes involved in a clandestine publication. The Poissonards continue to profit until liberation arrives, at which point they feign alignment with the resistance. The culmination sees betrayal as Charles-Hubert's actions lead to the arrest of Hans Pfeiffer, a naïve German soldier seeking connection with the French.

The epilogue fast-forwards to post-war life, revealing the continued morally ambiguous dealings of the Poissonards and the contrasting trajectory of Léon's life, who has become a professor. The novel closes with a poignant reflection on survival, opportunism, and the moral complexities faced by individuals during dire times, punctuated by the humorous and tragic realities of human behavior in the face of occupation and war.

The book was published in English in 1955, translated by Robin Chancellor. The American title is “The Best Butter” and the British title is “The Milky Way.”

Jean Dutourd (1920–2011) was a notable French novelist born in Paris. Orphaned at seven, he faced significant challenges, including being captured during World War II. After a daring escape, he joined the Resistance and played a pivotal role in the Liberation of Paris. His literary career began with "Le Complexe de César," which earned the Prix Stendhal in 1946. Over the years, he published numerous works, receiving accolades for his contributions to literature, including election to the Académie française in 1978 and the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts in 1997. 

SAB/