Robert Brasillach

Robert Brasillach (1909-1945) was a French author, journalist and film critic who became notorious for his fascist political views and collaboration with Nazi Germany during World War II. His literary work included poetry, novels, critical essays and political writing, though he is primarily remembered for his role as editor of Je suis partout, a pro-fascist newspaper that supported the Nazi occupation of France. As a writer, Brasillach produced several notable works including the novel "Comme le temps passe" (1937) and "Notre avant-guerre" (1941), a memoir of French intellectual life in the 1930s. His film criticism was influential in French cinema circles, and he published one of the first serious histories of motion pictures, "Histoire du cinéma" (1935). The author's political activities ultimately overshadowed his literary contributions, leading to his arrest for intellectual treason after the Liberation of France. Despite petitions from prominent French intellectuals including Albert Camus, Brasillach was executed by firing squad in 1945, becoming one of the few French writers to be put to death for collaboration. His controversial legacy continues to spark debate in French literary circles, with some scholars focusing on his literary merits while others argue his political actions cannot be separated from his work. His execution remains a complex chapter in French intellectual history, raising questions about the intersection of art, politics, and moral responsibility.

Readers often focus on Brasillach's controversial history and pro-fascist views, which overshadow discussions of his literary work. Many reviews note the difficulty of separating his politics from his writing. Readers appreciate: - Clear, elegant prose style - Vivid descriptions of pre-war Paris - Complex character psychology - Poetic elements in his fiction Common criticisms: - Anti-Semitic content and themes - Propaganda elements overshadowing storytelling - Dated social views and references - Uneven pacing in novels Online ratings are limited, with most works having fewer than 50 reviews: Goodreads: "Les Sept Couleurs" - 3.4/5 (12 ratings) Amazon.fr: "Notre avant-guerre" - 4.0/5 (8 reviews) Several French-language reviewers on Babelio.com note that while Brasillach's technical writing skill deserves recognition, his political ideology makes the works difficult to recommend. English-language reviews are sparse, with most focusing on historical/biographical aspects rather than literary merit.

Histoire du cinéma (1935) One of the first comprehensive histories of motion pictures, examining the development of cinema from its origins through the 1930s, with particular focus on French and German film.

Comme le temps passe (1937) A novel following the lives of young French intellectuals during the interwar period, exploring themes of friendship, love, and political transformation.

Notre avant-guerre (1941) A memoir chronicling French intellectual and cultural life during the 1930s, documenting the period leading up to World War II.

Les Sept Couleurs (1939) A politically charged novel depicting European society through seven distinct narratives, each representing different ideological perspectives of the era.

Poèmes de Fresnes (1945) A collection of poetry written during Brasillach's imprisonment in Fresnes Prison, addressing themes of mortality, fate, and personal reflection.

Le Marchand d'oiseaux (1936) A novel exploring the life of a young protagonist against the backdrop of shifting social and political landscapes in pre-war France.

Portrait de trois jeunes filles (1935) A character study following the intersecting lives of three young women in contemporary French society.

Pierre Drieu La Rochelle Wrote politically-charged novels during the same period in France and followed a similar ideological trajectory as Brasillach. His works like "Le Feu follet" and "Gilles" deal with themes of political disillusionment and social decay in interwar France.

Louis-Ferdinand Céline Published controversial novels that mixed personal experience with political commentary during the same era. His writing style and political stances parallel Brasillach's work, though with a more experimental approach to narrative.

Henry de Montherlant Created works focusing on themes of heroism, masculinity, and classical values in mid-20th century France. His literary career shares similarities with Brasillach's in terms of both subject matter and the integration of political themes into fiction.

Pierre Chardonne Produced novels and essays during the occupation period that explored similar political and social themes as Brasillach. His work focuses on French society during the interwar and occupation periods, with comparable attention to cultural critique.

Lucien Rebatet Wrote for the same publications as Brasillach and produced similar combinations of cultural criticism and political writing. His literary work "Les Décombres" shares thematic elements with Brasillach's writing about French society and politics.