In his only work of political satire, The Short Reign of Pippin IV, John Steinbeck turns the French Revolution upside down as amateur astronomer Pippin Héristal is drafted to rule the unruly French. Steinbeck creates around the infamous Pippin the most hilarious royal court ever: Pippin’s wife, Queen Marie, who “might have taken her place at the bar of a very good restaurant”; his uncle, a man of dubious virtue; his glamour-struck daughter and her beau, the son of the so-called “egg king” of Petaluma, California; and a motley crew of courtiers and politicians, guards and gardeners. This edition includes an introduction by Robert Morsberger and Katharine Morsberger.
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“Pippin Héristal is peacefully enjoying life as an amateur astronomer when the French government suddenly decides it needs a king—and Pippin is the rightful heir to the throne. Narrator Jefferson Mays perfectly captures the dry wit of Steinbeck’s political satire. Mays relays Pippin’s stoicism as he dutifully accepts his role. Mays also portrays every character perfectly—from Pippin’s wife, Queen Marie, to his wayward daughter, Clotilde. As Pippin encounters his subjects, from aristocrat to peasant, Mays’ crisp, fast-paced speech and American accent accentuate the story’s humor. His perfect pronunciation of the few untranslated French words will be appreciated by French-speaking listeners. A delightful listen. Winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award.”
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