A man of many faces lived here. Rue Romain Gary bears the name of a French novelist. He was also a diplomat and filmmaker. Gary’s life was as complex as his novels. He won the prestigious Prix Goncourt twice. This was a feat achieved by no other author. But there is a catch to this achievement.
Romain Gary was born Roman Kacew in Vilnius. It was part of the Russian Empire then. He created different stories about his origins. These stories made it difficult to know his real past. His mother was Mina Owczyńska. She was a Jewish actress. His father was Arieh-Leib Kacew a businessman.
Gary served as a pilot and diplomat. He served in World War II. He later worked in the French diplomatic service. He was stationed in Bulgaria and Switzerland. Later, he became Consul General in Los Angeles. Gary rubbed shoulders with Hollywood.
But Gary’s literary life held a secret. He published under the pseudonym Émile Ajar. Under this name, he won a second Prix Goncourt. The rules state the prize can only be awarded once to an author. Gary’s cousin’s son, Paul Pavlowitch, even posed as Ajar. Gary revealed the truth in a posthumous book.
The books reflect a mix of humor and tragedy. They also show faith mixed with cynicism. His notable works include “The Roots of Heaven”. Another is “The Dance of Genghis Cohn”. These works explored serious moral considerations.
Gary’s personal life was also turbulent. He was married to Lesley Blanch. Later he married Jean Seberg. He challenged Clint Eastwood to a duel. This was after learning about Seberg’s affair.
Romain Gary died in Paris. It was a self-inflicted gunshot wound. A note stated his death had no relation to Seberg’s suicide. He also declared that he was Émile Ajar.
The name Romain Gary marks several places. This includes a square in the 15th arrondissement of Paris. The French Institute in Jerusalem also bears his name.
The works of Romain Gary are in the Bibliothèque de la Pléiade. A statue in Vilnius depicts a character from “Promise at Dawn”. This statue commemorates his legacy.
Rue Romain Gary stands as a reminder. It is a reminder of a man who lived many lives. He was a writer diplomat and war hero. He was also a master of disguise. His stories continue to captivate readers worldwide.