Jean Giono Books

The story of a man, Elzeard Bouffier, who planted trees on land which was dying because of a lack of vegetation__

Exploring the contrast between peasant and philosophical civilizations, the book emphasizes the inherent human qualities found in peasant life, which are often sought after but ultimately lost by more advanced cultures. Through this lens, it reflects on the value of simplicity, connection to nature, and the richness of everyday experiences that define peasant existence, suggesting that these qualities are vital to understanding humanity itself. The work invites readers to reconsider what it means to live authentically and meaningfully.

Set in the enchanting Provence region of France, the narrative follows two men on a quest to uncover life's meaning. Their journey is infused with a sense of adventure and a deep exploration of humanity's connection to nature. Giono's invigorating prose captures the beauty and magic of the world, offering readers a fresh perspective on existence and the natural environment.

Set in a fictional Provençal village, the collection explores the intricate tapestry of small-town life through a diverse cast of characters. Jean Giono presents a vivid portrayal of their warmth and admirable qualities, while also delving into their moral complexities and coarse behaviors. The stories capture the essence of human experience in a strikingly real setting, offering insights into the joys and challenges of community life.

Set in the picturesque region of Provence, the novel follows a family dynamic shaped by the contrasting professions of an ironer mother and a shoemaker father. Through their daily lives, the narrative explores themes of labor, family ties, and the influence of the environment on personal identity. Giono's storytelling captures the essence of rural life in the early 20th century, offering a rich portrayal of character and setting.

Exploring the landscapes and people of Italy, Jean Giono's travel narrative reveals both the beauty of iconic sites and the charm of overlooked details. As a reluctant traveler, he uncovers joy in unexpected encounters, from quirky locals to mundane objects. The narrative serves as a psychobiographical essay, reflecting Giono's personal growth and insights into happiness, while also capturing the complexities of experience. With shifts in mood and style, the book combines anecdotes and history, creating a rich literary collage that celebrates exploration of both place and self.

A captivating literary and historical record, Jean Giono's Occupation Journal offers a glimpse into life in collaborationist France during the Second World War, as seen through the eyes and thoughts of one of France's greatest and most independent writers.Written during the years of France's occupation by the Nazis, Jean Giono's Occupation Journal reveals the inner workings of one of France's great literary minds during one of the country's darkest hours. A renowned writer and committed pacifist throughout the 1930s--a conviction that resulted in his imprisonment before and after the Occupation--Giono spent the war in the village of Contadour in Provence, where he wrote, corresponded with other writers, and cared for his consumptive daughter. This journal records his musings on art and literature, his observations of life, his interactions with the machinery of the collaborationist Vichy regime, as well as his forceful political convictions. Giono recounts the details of his life with fierce independence of thought and novelistic attention to character and dialogue. Occupation Journal is a fascinating historical document as well as a unique window into one of French literature's most voracious and critical minds.

A nomad and a swindler embark on an eccentric road trip in this picaresque, philosophical novel by the author of The Man Who Planted Trees. The south of France, 1950: A solitary vagabond walks through the villages, towns, valleys, and foothills of the region between northern Provence and the Alps. He picks up work along the way and spends the winter as the custodian of a walnut-oil mill. He also picks up a problematic companion: a cardsharp and con man, whom he calls “the Artist.” The action moves from place to place, and episode to episode, in truly picaresque fashion. Everything is told in the first person, present tense, by the vagabond narrator, who goes unnamed. He himself is a curious combination of qualities—poetic, resentful, cynical, compassionate, flirtatious, and self-absorbed. While The Open Road can be read as loosely strung entertainment, interspersed with caustic reflections, it can also be interpreted as a projection of the relationship of author, art, and audience. But it is ultimately an exploration of the tensions and boundaries between affection and commitment, and of the competing needs for solitude, independence, and human bonds. As always in Jean Giono, the language is rich in natural imagery and as ruggedly idiomatic as it is lyrical.

Set against the backdrop of New York City, this NYRB Classics Original explores the intricacies of human relationships and the complexities of urban life. Through vivid storytelling and rich character development, the narrative delves into themes of love, loss, and the search for identity. The author masterfully captures the essence of the city, making it a character in its own right, while also addressing broader social issues. This work promises to engage readers with its thought-provoking insights and emotional depth.

In the white heat the sky is opaque, the air leaden and the light intense. A single cavalryman wonders at the oppressive atmosphere of the unfamiliar countryside he is entering. But Angelo does not cease journeying, dodging blockades and quarantine imposed by troops - determined to find his childhood friend, Giuseppe.