According to an intellectual of the time, Louis Pergaud had written his book with a pickaxe handle rather than a pen. We understand that the very free style of this young writer has thrown the public before the war, the rural teacher who knew how to exploit his letters to put in the service of history, not to win the favor of the lounges. The preface of the book, to read preferably first - once is not custom - is instructive, both in substance and in form. Here in its entirety, for those interested:
"He who sesjouit reading Rabelais, that great and true French genius, welcome, I believe, with pleasure, this book, despite its title, nor does caters to small children or young maidens. Hay of modesty (all verbal) dun castrated time under their hypocritical cloak, do smack too often that neurosis and poison And hay pure Latin: I am a Celt.
Thats why i wanted to make a healthy book, which was both Gallic and Rabelaisian epic, a book where sap flowed, life, enthusiasm, and that laugh, that great joyous laughter that was shaking the guts of our fathers beuveurs very famous and very valuable gout.
Also I nai not fear the expression raw, provided what was tasty nor the nimble gesture, provided that it was epic. Jai wanted to restore a childs moment of my life, our enthusiastic and brutal life of savages in this strong franc and what was dhéroïque, that is to say free from hypocrisies of the family and school. It is understood that it was impossible for such a subject, to stick to the only vocabulary of Racine.
The concern for sincerity would be my excuse if I would be forgiven the bold words and violently colorful expressions of my heroes. But no one is forced to read me. And after this preface and lépigraphe Rabelais adornant coverage, I do not recognize zero caiman, secular or religious, in need of more or less disgusting morals, the right to complain.
Moreover, and this is my best excuse, I have designed this book in joy, I lai wrote with delight, he entertained some friends and laugh my editor: jai despérer the right that he will appeal to "men of good will" as the Gospel of Jesus and what is the rest, as said Lebrac, one of my heroes, I men crazy. "
