About the Book This nightmarish account of prison life during the German occupation of France is dominated by the figure of the condemned murderer Harcamone, who takes root and bears unearthly blooms in the ecstatic and brooding imagination of his fellow prisoner Genet. Book Synopsis One of the greatest achievements of modern literature. -Richard Howard A major achievement . . . . Genet transforms experiences of degradation into spiritual exercises and hoodlums into bearers of the majesty of love. - Saturday Review This book recreates for the reader Genets magic world, one of dazzling beauty charged with novelty and excitement. -Bettina Knapp Genet would have deserved international standing for this novel alone. . . . He succeeds to an amazing degree in creating poetry from the profoundest degradation. - The Times (London)