La Vie Devant Soi

La Vie Devant Soi- Romain Gary
Is this novel bogus and counterfeit? It deals with very adult themesprostitution and euthanasia- but through the eyes of a child, Momo.
This contrast between adult concepts and a child's perspective is
unsettling.
The book perhaps glamourises prostitution. Madame Rosa, the
former whore, now elderly, who looks after the children of
prostitutes, seems saintly. The transvestite neighbour, Madame Lola,
also appears friendly and generous; Madame Lola gives food and
money to the hard up Madame Rosa and Momo. The reality of
prostitution is far grubbier-selfishness, thieving, lying, distrust and
violence. It is the tendency of the male to romanticise the whore.
The story is set in the multi-racial enclave of Belleville. It shows a
ghetto world where Arabs, blacks and Jews are united by their
poverty. The bitter actuality of bigotry and prejudice is skipped over in
an almost saccharine way.
The worst moral flaw of the novel is its approach to euthanasia.
Madame Rosa is old and ill. She is scared of dying in hospital, like a
pathetic vegetable. She prefers to die in her away...in The basement,
hidden away with Momo...
Surely the plot involves the dangerous 'sanctification' of euthanasia.
It is wrong to end life accordingly to one's own will, not God's will.
Euthanasia is killing, not kindness. To make euthanasia appear
touching, even innocent, is fraudulent. Is this book a candy floss
confection meant to dazzle-and trick-the reader?
By Ibrahimi Zekira (winner)