Alain-Fournier: The Mysterious and Tragic Life of a French Literary Master

Alain-Fournier was a French writer and philosopher, best known for his novel "Le Grand Meaulnes" (The Great Meaulnes), which is considered one of the greatest works of French literature of the 20th century. He was born in 1885 and died in 1914, at the age of 29, during World War I.

Alain-Fournier's real name was Henri-Alban Fournier, but he adopted the pen name Alain-Fournier to distinguish himself from his father, who was also named Henri Fournier. He studied philosophy at the Sorbonne and later became a teacher, but he never achieved much success during his lifetime. It was only after his death that his novel "Le Grand Meaulnes" became famous and established him as one of the leading figures of French literature.

"Le Grand Meaulnes" is a coming-of-age story set in the late 19th century and follows the life of a young man named François Seurel, who falls in love with a mysterious and charismatic figure named Augustin Meaulnes. The novel explores themes of love, friendship, and the search for identity, and it is known for its poetic prose and dreamlike atmosphere.

Alain-Fournier's other works include several short stories and essays, as well as a collection of letters to his friends and family. Despite his short career and early death, he is considered one of the most important French writers of the 20th century, and his work continues to be widely read and studied today.