Alain-Fournier, born Henri-Alban Fournier, is celebrated for a single, enduring novel that has become a cornerstone of French literature. His work delves into themes of lost innocence, nostalgic yearning, and the pursuit of an idealized world, often drawing from deeply personal experiences. Though he interacted with prominent literary figures of his era, his promising career and life were tragically cut short by World War I. Nevertheless, his singular novel left an indelible mark, continuing to captivate readers with its exploration of youthful enchantment and the ephemeral nature of dreams.
Alain-Fournier's bittersweet novel of youthful ardour and longing is the story of Meaulnes and his search for his lost love. Impulsive, reckless and heroic, Meaulnes embodies the romantic ideal, our search for the unobtainable, and the mysterious world between childhood and adulthood. His beautiful heroine Yvonne is based on the real-life love of the brilliant young author, killed in the First World War after writing this, his only novel.
Réunit la correspondance de deux amis : Alain-Fournier et Jacques Rivière. Leurs échanges fournissent un tableau vivant du monde qui les entoure des richesses foisonnantes de leur époque.
