Le Grand Meaulnes, by Alain-Fournier

JUST before I set off for my return to France a friend said I should read Le Grand Meaulnes, by Alain-Fournier.

He gave me his copy to pack away in one of the boxes I loaded up into the car and once I’d arrived in the Dordogne countryside I started reading it.

It is a simple story about the transition into adulthood, first love, leaving behind youthful promises, but also captures French village life in the early 1900s.

But having told French friends I was reading it I realised that Le Grand Meaulnes has a similar resonance to them as The Great Gatsby and Catcher in the Rye have in the English language.

It seems clear that Alain-Fournier’s novel must have influenced both F.Scott Fitzgerald and J.D. Salinger, as the battle against adult responsibilities underlies all three books.

Le Grand Meaulness is told through narrator Francois Seurel, whose days at school in central France are turned upside down by the arrival of Augustin Meaulnes.

Soon named le Grand Meaulnes, both for his physical size and apparent strength of character and presence, he is soon idolised by many of the schoolboys.

And this image is further strengthened when he disappears for three days and upon his return is a changed character.

He tells Francois of the time spent in a chateau, where children danced, music played and there was plenty to eat and drink.

It is here at The Lost Estate that Augustin first sees the beautiful Yvonne de Galais, as she prepares for the arrival of her brother and new bride, but unfortunately news arrives that the young couple have cancelled the wedding.

Guests soon head home and Augustin gets a ride back to the school but in the confusion is unsure of the direction he takes, sees a man being carried through the woods and wonders if he will ever see Yvonne de Galais again.

Francois and Augustin work together to try and find the mysterious chateau, and come to realise who the injured man is, but slowly their paths diverge as they take their first steps into adulthood.

Alain-Fournier, or as he was christened Henri Alban Fournier, grew up in central France, in Epineuil-le-Fleuriel in the Cher, where you can visit a museum that recreates the school he served in and which formed the backdrop of the novel.

Le Grand Meulnes was published in 1913 but like many of that time Alain-Fournier was killed in World War One, on the Meuse in 1914.

Knowing this you understand why the book is still remembered by many French readers today – its story of disappearing youth was soon reflected in the trenches of northern France.

Websites:
Le Grand Meaulnes
Alain-Fournier, Wikipedia France
Maison Ecole du Grand Meaulnes

Comments

[RobArtisan]

Craig,

It is hard to get everything from a translation, but I would put The Great Gatsby on a higher plain.

The introduction to the book highlights weaknesses in the story. It doesn't matter though: every reader will make a connection with something that is poignant to them. It is the ability of the book to kindle such feelings that make it special in France. It seems to be relatively unknown in the English speaking world and I am not sure we have anything that fills that gap exactly.

The death of the author adds further piognancy and seems to point to a lost world before that innocence was lost in the Great War - that extra level of symbolism gives it more power.

Rob

[Sue Boxell]

I was given a copy of the book when I was studying French literature at university and I loved it immediately. I don't think you can make too many comparisons because you have to read it in the context of french life in that period rather than the very american superficiality of The Great Gatsby, although they are both excellent works. Do we need to compare it with anything else? The film is really worth watching too. " Le Grand Meaulnes is a 2006 film directed by Jean-Daniel Verhaeghe, based on the classic novel of the same name. The film premiered on October 4, 2006 in France".

[Craig McGinty]

Thanks for that Sue, I will have to look out for the film, because thanks to Rob lending me his copy I've a new interest in the life of Alain-Fournier.
All the best, Craig

[Neil Shephard]

Sue Boxell mentioned the 2006 film - disappointingly miscast especially the 2 male leads - but there's no doubt that the atmospheric 1967 film directed by J-G Albicocco with the wonderful Brigitte Fossey as Yvonne de Galais conveys the haunting charm of this moving story more effectively and is a much better version

[Craig McGinty]

Hi Neil, will have to keep my eyes peeled to hopefully see a showing on television, or maybe track it down online.
All the best, Craig

[RobArtisan]

Craig,

in the introduction to the issue I gave you there is a note about how the author fell n love with a woman who proved unobtainable in the end - I think this give it some reasonance

Rob