Lourdes, Lentes …
The Supervisory Committee and a beautiful love story.
Written under the pseudonym of Stève Masson, a poor disguise for André Hardellet, a writer who was very popular with his peers, Lourdes, lentes… is ‘about a beautiful love story in summer and newly fished trout.’
Set in a country house, the story of the happy and sensual meeting of a youngster aged twelve and an older servant upset the Supervisory Committee which sought to protect minors from its ‘extreme daring’.
When it was published simultaneously by Pauvert and Deforges, only the latter edition was condemned for offending public decency, the possible sign of a determination to target Desforges. The writer, supported by Julien Gracq, found the trial in November 1973 to be an ordeal.