Aragon, 1897-1982

Aragon (1897–1982) was a French writer, three of whose works are held in this catalogue. As public information is limited, his nationality, education and full biography are not elaborated here. Judging only from the titles in the catalogue, Les aventures de Télémaque draws on the framework of classical pedagogical narrative, Feu de joie presents intense lyricism and experimentation in short pieces, and Anicet ou, le panorama develops its narrative around observations of urban and artistic youth. Though varied in subject, the three works together show the author moving between tradition and the avant-garde: he borrows older narrative forms while pursuing renewal in language and structure. His style combines lyricism with reflection, is flexible in length, and often interweaves narrative with argument and satire. These works are of value for understanding the direction of experimental writing in twentieth-century French literature.