From the very beginning, where he addresses the reader directly in a poetic prologue, fittingly entitled “Au Lecteur” (To the Reader), we can see that he is not going to give us, or himself, an easy ride.
From the very beginning, where he addresses the reader directly in a poetic prologue, fittingly entitled “Au Lecteur” (To the Reader), we can see that he is not going to give us, or himself, an easy ride. The prologue ends with the words “– Hypocrite lecteur, – mon semblable, – mon frère!” which translates (in Mortimer’s version) as “– Hypocrite reader, – kindred spirit, – brother!” In other words, we are going to accompany the poet on his journey. This idea of traveling is an important one in the book; four poems have the word “voyage” in their title, including the final poem.