When elderly people tell their life before to Barbara Constantine, it gives a book whose title, itself, already says a lot "Small portraits of very big people".
The author carried out this project in close collaboration with fifteen elderly people living in the accommodation establishment for dependent elderly people (Ehpad) in Mézières-en-Brenne, a village in Indre (36). The exchanges intensified, people gave themselves up, told stories to retrace their lives before.
The texts are illustrated with portraits made by Cécyl Gillet, visual artist based in Berry.
What emerges are slices of life full of laughter and emotion, comical stories, moving memories, with portraits of endearing and tender characters on whom the author casts a benevolent gaze. As the title indicates, these are small portraits that are easy to read, with an unusual, cheerful and easy layout, perfectly suited for seniors who can struggle with reading. A book to put in free access in all nursing homes!
"There are certainly young and old too, who will be surprised when they read these pages. It's true though. Grandpa or Grandma didn't always have white hair and bushy eyebrows , haven't always needed walkers or dentures. There was a time when they ran, laughed, played, told jokes, did somersaults, had heartaches, frustrations, fears, acne…
Unlike you, their youth did not last very long. Some started working at age 11. Yeah, hard... And then their games weren't the same as yours. Small or even teenagers, they did not receive digital tablets at Christmas! Computers hadn't been invented yet, nor game consoles. Unbelievable ! There was no TV, no telephone (neither fixed nor portable), no running water or electricity everywhere, the toilets, it was in a hut at the bottom of the garden, and to go to the school, they had to walk miles on foot, rain, wind or snow!
It's hard to imagine the life they led. As you read, you'll get an idea. The texts are short, the photos are trippy, what are you risking? Want to go see them? To go give them a kiss? It would be great. They need love so much..."
Barbara Constantine used to be a scriptwriter for film and television, but today she has turned the page:she writes (Allumer le chat, And then Paulette…), she travels, she gardens, makes pottery, cooks and shares laughter and words with others, whether it's her family, her friends or those she meets like here in Ehpad!
(Editions Calmann-Lévy - March 1, 2017 - €14.90)
