Mouche, a young waif alone in Paris, plans to commit suicide by jumping into the seine. On her way she passes a street fair, and a puppet hails her from a booth. From then on Mouche becomes involved with the seven puppets, who represent all the endearing delights and foibles of humankind. The puppeteer, cynical, brutal Michel Peyrot, hates Mouche's charming innocence and does all he can to destroy it. Yet the puppets, who act as if they adore Mouche as she does them, seem to have minds of their own. Golo, the puppeteer's assistant, is kind to Mouche and understands Michel's torment. The more Mouche grows to love the seven dolls, the more she hates Michel. Then she meets a handsome young acrobat, Ballotte, who offers her escape, marriage, and a normal life. But can Mouche break away from her beloved dolls? And should she? This story, which was adapted as the movie "Lily" and later as the Broadway musical "Carnival," is powerful, poignant, and disturbing. It is not politically correct and may be hard to take for today's sensitive readers. But ultimately it is a tale of good and evil, of hope and despair, and of the fight between love and hate for one man's soul. Will it end in redemption or disaster? Read this heart-wrenching story and be ready to use your handkerchief. I love this amazing little book.
