Has anyone out there read "Le Grand Meaulnes", by Alain Fournier?

Question

I first read it when I was about 12 and have re-read it many times since. In my opinion it is the best novel ever written.

Answer 1

I had to study it for 'A' level French at school, for which I am deeply thankful, as it meant reading it thoroughly. It is a truly beautiful book and deeply evocative. I hope that you have had an opportunity to see a very good film which was based on it and which I remember going to see in a tiny cinema in Knightsbridge when it was first shown in London. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0064389/ It was remarkably true to the book.
When I think of this wonderful work I see all manner of subtle pictures in my mind's eye: autumn tints, mists, summer sun.. hard to describe, but Alain Fournier clearly succeeded in conveying these images in the written word for me to have retained them so long. I remember that sharp little scene at the end when the narrator meets Valentine and the two of them find some kind of empathy through their affection for the eponymous hero.

Thank you for reminding me of this book.

Answer 2

I had to do it for French A Level. It's really magical, and it's stayed with me ever since. How stupid that Alain Fournier lost his life near the end of the war.

Answer 3

I remember the title and that's the extent. I had completely forgotten the author. If you read it at 12 and have re-read it many times, I must have missed something. Time to root through the archives I guess and see what I missed.

Thanks for the suggestion.

Answer 4

I read it in school when I was about 12.Great book.

Answer 5

He was whacked out about lost youth, lost innocence, just about lost anything - that was my impression.

Answer 6

Nah never even eard o it. Are you a clever dick readin in frog then?

Answer 7

yah ur right its awesome. its definately in my top five favourite novels

Answer 8

no