The Short Reign of Pippin IV: A Fabrication

By John Steinbeck

Book Overview

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 Heristal 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.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0140187499
• ISBN13: 9780140187496
• Release Date: May 1994
• Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.39 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.1" x 7.7"

Customer Reviews

Short and Sweet

True to Steinbeck, this novel hits emotions on many levels. One of his more humourous works, The Short Reign of Pippin IV chronicles a man's journey from an average guy to king and back. It's short, it's funny, and it's a classic. A must-read for any fan of Steinbeck or parodying the French!

Clever

John Steinbeck again proves to be one of the great writers of the 20th century with the political satire "The Short Reign of Pippin IV". The synopsis on the back cover of the book accurately describes it as a "dazzling, effervescent satire on practically everything." When the political factions of France can not decide in which direction the country's leadership should go, they decide the only way to unite the country is unite them behind the mutual dislike of a king. Enter the illegitimate son of the former king and amateur astronomer, Pippin. The factions of the government make a reluctant king of Pippin. As the title suggests, Pippin's reign is short. When he realizes the factions of the government have crowned him to be a patsy, he tries to fix the system of government. Of course, this leads to Pippin's depose. While keenly aware of the consequences of speaking his mind, Pippin did it anyway. This satire reveals a side of Steinbeck not seen in his other works. While Steinbeck is critical of government, he never blantantly mocks a system. Many of the surprises of this book are best discovered by the reader. Satire is best discovered by yourself.

Yummy

An unexpected and undervalued delight. Hilarious satire in Steinbeck's beautifully economic prose. A very far cry from his grittier American work (Cannery Row is my favourite book of all time) showing an astonishing ability to get under the skin of France. Lovely. A great present for fathers, especially slightly distracted ones.

When political payback time comes

Great book for presentation to candidates for political office. Some 80 political parties agree to re-establish/elect monarchy for single-issue, self-centered,political reason. Each comes back to collect its political debt.