Histoires grises
"Histoires grises" by E. Edouard Tavernier is a novel likely written in the early 20th century. The narrative follows a man named Plutarque, whose ordinary day reveals the struggles of the impoverished as he navigates life beneath the weight of social expectations and personal history. At the start of the novel, we meet Plutarque in a Parisian setting, carrying out his daily life as a cab driver or "commissionnaire." Characterized by reflective thoughts, he experiences moments of minor joy, such as enjoying a decent meal or finding temporary shelter, contrasted with memories of past hardships. The opening chapters lay the groundwork for his complex character, revealing how his circumstances have shaped him. As he grapples with memories of both a better past and harsh realities, he finds himself caught in a series of quotidian yet significant events that trouble him psychologically, hinting at deeper themes of identity, societal perception, and survival amidst the gray moral landscape of life.