From first love to posthumous book Romain Gary and the renewal of creation

Romain Gary’s short story “Je mange mon soulier” (translatable as “Eating a galosh”) understandably belongs with his lesser-known works: published in the French weekly Elle in 1956, it has never been collected in book form, and no English translation is referenced. And yet, as shown here, both as a detached narrative and in relation with various retellings in several novels and interviews, this short story is exemplary of Romain Gary’s constant pursuit of literary feat and great love combined.