But ultimately it is a tale of good and evil, of hope and despair, and of the fight between love and hate for one man's soul. It is not politically correct and may be hard for today's sensitive readers. But can Mouche break away from her beloved dolls? And should she? This story, which was adapted as the movie 'Lily' and later as the Broadway musical 'Carnival,' is powerful, poignant, and disturbing. Then she meets a handsome young acrobat, Ballotte, who offers her escape, marriage, and a normal life. The more Mouche grows to love the seven dolls, the more she hates Michel. Golo, the puppeteer's assistant, is kind to Mouche and understands Michel's torment. Yet the puppets, who act as if they adore Mouche as she does them, seem to have minds of their own. The puppeteer, cynical, brutal Michel Peyrot, hates Mouche's charming innocence and does all he can to destroy it. From then on Mouche becomes involved with the seven puppets who represent all the endearing delights and foibles of humankind. On her way she passes a street fair, and a puppet hails her from a booth. You are welcome to link to them.Mouche, a young waif alone in Paris, plans to commit suicide by jumping into the Seine.

These pages are copyright © Martin Benson 1999-2021. For beyond the beautiful descriptions of French circus ambiance and everyday culture and life, and beyond the charming play of Mouche with her beloved dolls, is hidden a hard truth about this world: it is not an easy place to live in, but if we never lose hope, it might become our paradise. But also like her, I find myself crying, desparate and lost, trying to regain true love bonding, and to belong.

Like Mouche, a lonely and naive girl, I find myself sometimes believing salvation is only seven souls away, and redemption is possible even when the real life puppeteer is the one who says the last word. When I come back to this book all the old feelings resurface and penetrate my heart: the shiftings from hope to despair, not really grasping what is the reality and what is the fantasy. I fell so much in love with this book (and of my teacher as well) that although I had a serious exam the following day, I just read it from beginning to end. I was introduced to Seven Dolls by my beloved teacher at the age of 15, and now, ten years later, I still regard that book as the core of my entity and personality. If you want to make a contribution, feel free to contact me.

Love of Seven Dolls by Paul Gallico