The Impudent Ones

TRANSLATOR’S NOTE

This note is intended to provide additional clarity to the family relationships described in the novel, as well as to its setting. The Grant-Taneran family is composed first of all of Mrs. Grant-Taneran, previously a widow with the married name of Grant, who brought two children into her second marriage, Jacques Grant and Maud Grant. When Mrs. Grant married Mr. Taneran, they had another son, Henry Taneran. All together they constitute the Grant-Taneran family, more frequently known as the Taneran family. As well, Mrs. Grant-Taneran is often referred to simply as Mrs. Taneran, and her first two children simply as Maud or Jacques Grant.

The novel begins in the family’s apartment in the Parisian suburb of Clamart, with Maud looking out the window toward another Parisian suburb named Sèvres. The story soon moves to the area around Uderan, the family estate situated in southwest France, and returns near the end to Clamart. One final change in location takes place, to complete the novel.