“Doukipudonktan?” — Raymond Queneau, Zazie in the Metro
Chapter 1: Arrival in Paris
Zazie, a precocious and foul-mouthed young girl, arrives in Paris to stay with her uncle Gabriel while her mother visits a lover. She is immediately fascinated by the idea of riding the metro, but Gabriel informs her that the metro workers are on strike.
Chapter 2: Exploring the City
Zazie wanders Paris with Gabriel, encountering a series of eccentric characters, including the flamboyant taxi driver Charles and the mysterious Trouscaillon. She remains fixated on the metro, questioning everyone she meets about when it will reopen.
Chapter 3: The Café Scene
Gabriel takes Zazie to a café where she interacts with patrons, including Marceline, a woman with ambiguous gender identity. Zazie’s blunt observations and crude language shock the adults, while she remains unfazed by their reactions.
Chapter 4: The Pursuit of Trouscaillon
Trouscaillon, who claims to be a policeman, begins following Zazie and Gabriel. His motives remain unclear, but his presence adds an element of suspense. Meanwhile, Zazie continues her quest to ride the metro, undeterred by obstacles.
Chapter 5: A Night at the Nightclub
Gabriel, who moonlights as a nightclub singer, takes Zazie to his workplace. She disrupts the performance with her antics, while Trouscaillon lurks in the background. The nightclub scene highlights the absurdity of adult behavior through Zazie’s eyes.
Chapter 6: The Metro Strike Ends
Zazie finally gets her chance to ride the metro, only to find it underwhelming. The experience contrasts sharply with her earlier excitement, underscoring the novel’s theme of disillusionment.
Chapter 7: The Revelation
Trouscaillon’s true identity is revealed—he is not a policeman but a con artist. Gabriel and his friends confront him, leading to a chaotic and comedic resolution.
Chapter 8: Departure
Zazie’s mother returns to take her home. As they leave Paris, Zazie reflects on her adventures with a mix of amusement and indifference, embodying the novel’s playful yet cynical tone.
Key Ideas
- Exploration of language and its limitations through wordplay and slang.
- Satire of adult hypocrisy and societal norms.
- Absurdist humor and surreal situations.
- Critique of urban life and modernity.
- Disillusionment with idealized expectations.
Who should read this book?
- Fans of experimental and absurdist literature.
- Readers interested in linguistic innovation and wordplay.
- Those who enjoy satirical takes on society and human behavior.
- Admirers of French postwar literature.
Notable Adaptations
| Year | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | Zazie dans le métro (Film) | Directed by Louis Malle, starring Catherine Demongeot. |
| 2001 | Zazie dans le métro (Stage Play) | Adapted for theater by Olivier Balazuc. |