Roland Dorgelès

Roland Dorgelès (1885-1973) was a French novelist and journalist best known for his writings about World War I, particularly his acclaimed novel Les Croix de bois (Wooden Crosses) published in 1919. His wartime experiences as a soldier in the French army profoundly influenced his literary work. Before the war, Dorgelès worked as a journalist and was part of the Montmartre artistic community in Paris, where he associated with prominent artists and writers. He gained early notoriety for his involvement in the famous artistic prank involving a painting created by tying a paintbrush to a donkey's tail, which was accepted into an exhibition. As a war correspondent and novelist, Dorgelès produced several significant works including Le Cabaret de la Belle Femme (1919) and Le Réveil des morts (1923). His writing style combined realism with humanistic concern for his subjects, depicting both the horror of war and the resilience of those who endured it. Dorgelès served as president of the Académie Goncourt from 1954 until his death, making significant contributions to French literary culture throughout his career. His masterwork Les Croix de bois remains one of the most important French novels about World War I and continues to be studied in French schools.

Readers appreciate Dorgelès' raw depictions of WWI trench warfare in "Les Croix de bois," drawing on his firsthand experiences. Many note his ability to capture both the horror and humanity of soldiers' daily lives without excessive dramatization. Several French readers mention his respect for both French and German soldiers, avoiding one-sided patriotic propaganda. Multiple reviews highlight his vivid sensory details and dark humor. Some readers find his other works less engaging than "Les Croix de bois," citing uneven pacing and dated cultural references. A few reviews criticize the density of period-specific military jargon. Ratings: Goodreads: - Les Croix de bois: 3.9/5 (157 ratings) - Le Cabaret de la Belle Femme: 3.7/5 (23 ratings) Amazon France: - Les Croix de bois: 4.4/5 (38 reviews) Note: Limited English-language reviews available as his works remain largely untranslated outside France.

Les Croix de Bois (1919) A raw account of trench warfare during World War I, based on the author's personal experiences as a soldier.

Le Réveil des Morts (1923) Chronicles the return of war veterans to their devastated villages in northern France after World War I.

Sur la Route Mandarine (1925) Travel narrative describing a journey through French Indochina, focusing on local customs and colonial life.

Le Cabaret de la Belle Femme (1919) Collection of wartime stories centered around a fictional tavern near the front lines.

Saint Magloire (1922) Novel about a modern-day saint who creates social upheaval in a small French town.

Bouquet de Bohème (1947) Memoir of Montmartre's artistic community during the early 20th century.

Vive la Liberté (1937) Account of the author's travels through Soviet Russia and observations of life under communism.

Tout est à vendre (1935) Novel exploring the commercialization of art in Montmartre's artistic community.

Le Château des Brouillards (1932) Collection of stories about the artists and characters of Montmartre.