Boris Vian's so-called life

"Fantasy is hardly an escape from reality. It's a way of understanding it"

- Lloyd Alexander

Most French films end on an unhappy note. Those familiar with Gallic writers will recall Boris Vian, inventor and musician who had an unsuccessful literary career. He died on June 23, 1959, at a young age of 39, never to see how his works turned him into a legend. Some find it tragic, but Vian might have seen it differently.

Vian, who was born in Ville-d'Avray, a suburb in Paris, developed rheumatic fever after his 12th birthday. He contracted typhoid afterwards, which led to severe health problems throughout his life. One of which was a heart condition. Perhaps he was aware that he won't live long, and this could be the inspiration for "Froth on the Daydream", one of his few works that was translated into English. Critics called it his masterpiece.

Colin was a young fellow who had everything: lots of money to dispose of; Nicolas, his resourceful servant; and an out-of-this-world apartment that included a pianocktail. Romance was the only thing missing, which the City of Lights had lots to offer. Then he met Chloé in a party. A whirlwind romance followed, capped by a grand wedding. It was supposed to be a happy ending, until Chloé fell ill. Diagnosis revealed a water lily inside her lung, only treated by surrounding her with flowers. It was an expensive remedy, exhausting all of Colin's resources. It didn't bring Chloé back to life.

Many would be captivated by the novel's surreal images, inspired by Vian's passion on parties and jazz. In another world, the author imagined himself as Colin, who had the world before him. The pianoctail, which could produce a drink from playing a musical piece, was one of the inventive items that kept his world otherworldly. Nothing could go wrong, with Chloé by his side and Nicolas nearby. Then there was Chick, his best friend, whom he was generous to share a his wealth with when he was about to settle down with Alise. The story didn't lost interest once tragedy set in. On the contrary, it tried to suck the life out of everything nearby. The picture lose its color as the story was coming to an end, but Vian doesn't want his readers to wallow in misery, even be sorry for Colin. The make-believe approach was used to make readers delight on what Colin had, the life he led.

The lukewarm reception to the book led Vian to try other genres, one of which was Crime fiction. As Vernon Sullivan, he penned titles like "I Spit on Your Graves". He was luckier, as a movie producer took notice. But he wasn't pleased with the adaptation, aggravating his health; during the film's premiere, he stood up and shouted his dissatisfaction, collapsing and dying from cardiac arrest afterwards. Vian's life played like a good French movie, bittersweet and brimming with melancholy, with an ending that he didn't plan.