Abbé Pourcher

"Re. the book, it is about 500 pages, 177,500 words and is a translation of a genuine 1889 first edition. This was the only way to be absolutely sure of a correct and complete translation. I was told the book was almost unknown, that I would never find one and that, if I did, it was worth its weight in gold.

Abbé Pourcher printed 300 copies himself on cheap paper, bound them roughly and walked from his village - St Martin -to Paris with some copies to sell. He was commended by Pope Leon XIII. Needless to say, my copy, which took me 15 years to find, is not for sale."

release notes on the forum

Derek Brockis pain stakingly translated Pourcher's original work. It is available for purchase online at both Authorhouse and Amazon.

http://www.authorhouse.com/
Pourcher on Amazon

Pierre Pourcher was born onthe 8th December 1831in thevillageofMazet, parish of Julianges. His parents were BarthJlemy Pourcher and Jeanne -Marie, maiden name Roussel. Her was christened onthe 10th December 1831, the godfather being Jean-Pierre Pourcher, his grandfather. He entered the Grand Seminary when he was 28 years old, being ordained priest in 1865. He became Curate of St. Martin de Boubaux in 1873 and held this office until 1900.

Pourcher wrote several historical books of which La Bête du Gévaudan is the most well known. In it he makes several references to direct family experiences with La Bête.

“The child from ServiPres, taken by La Bête on Saturday 27th July, was Pierre Roussel, paternal uncle of my mother Jeanne-Marie-Roussel, widow of BarthJlemy Pourcher, my father. The Roussel family, from Fajolle at GrPzes, near Sauges, inherited the domain of Guillaume de ServiPres, today the Portal house, where almost all the six uncles and two aunts were born.”

Pope LJon XIII personally encouraged Pourcher’s writing, approving of his good works and the various restorations he was able to achieve in his parish. Papal appreciation is particularly recorded in a letter of30th July, 1887written to him on the instruction of the Pontiff by Cardinal Rampolla.

Pourcher died on3rd March 1915in the Chaldecoste district of Mende. The modest house in which he was born can still be seen. It has an enigmatic carving, said by some to be La Bête, over its front door.

A thoughtful priest who left to his church and the world a book from which much can be learned.

Hello Jill

Pourcher 1889 became public in English today.

I have just put 6 copies numbered 5 to 10 in the airmail post:.

Copies 16 to 19 will be going direct to customers - to the 4 people who purchased them from Authorhouse. I have not been able to number them. Nevertheless, they are on record.

( They are of the 2006 hardback First Edition (Edition princeps, as they say in France).

Copies:

5. Jill Gévaudan, without whose years of website support I would not have come this far.

6. M. Bernard Soulier - the leader of La Bête activities.

7. M. Michel Midy of Midy Loups - supports wolf and Bête

8. Archives of the Bishopric of Mende - helpful people.

9. Laffitte Reprints Marseille - keep reprinting Pourcher in French even though it is hard to sell.

10. Alcan Montreal - They have French, snow and wolves - I worked 25 yrs for Alcan UK.

Copies 16 to 19 - to four very patient people: - the first ever purchasers in English.

16. Seamus - Texas

17. Janathan Jarrell

18. Lynda Daneliuk - Newfoundland

19.Natasha Crain - Los Angeles

Authorhouse have produced a fine book. I think it will be unnecessary for another translation of Pourcher into English ever to be done. C’est fini.

You can put this on the website,, if you would like to but no alterations! Regards Derek.

Thanks Mr.Brockis for your unceasing hard work! -Jill Gévaudan