JULES ROMAINS: “MEN OF GOOD WILL” FRENCH SOCIETY PANORAMA NOVEL

November 14, 2008 at 2:35 pm | Posted in Art, Books, France, History, Literary, Philosophy | Leave a comment

Jules Romains

(born Aug. 26, 1885, Saint-Julien-Chapteuil, France — died Aug. 14, 1972, Paris) French novelist, dramatist, and poet.

A teacher of philosophy, Romains first became known as a poet and as founder (c. 1908 – 11), with Georges Chennevière, of the literary movement Unanimisme, which combined belief in universal brotherhood with the psychological concept of group consciousness.

Men of Good Will, by Jules Romains

27 books published in 14 volumes in English between 1932 and 1946

Jules Romains, born Louis Henri Jean Farigoule (August 26, 1885 – August 14, 1972), was a French poet and writer and the founder of the Unanimism literary movement. His works include the play Knock and a cycle of works called Les Hommes de bonne volonté (Men of Good Will).

His masterpiece, Men of Good Will, 27 vol. (1932 – 46), is a vast novel cycle attempting to recreate the spirit of French society from 1908 to 1933 and exemplifying the Unanimiste interest in collective life.

Below is the complete list of English volumes of Men of Good Will. Alfred A. Knopf published the series in 14 volumes, each, with the exception of the final one, incorporating two books as originally published in French.

Jules Romains is remembered today, among other things, for his concept of Unanimism and his cycle of novels in Les Hommes de bonne volonté (The Men of Good Will), a remarkable literary fresco depicting the odyssey over a quarter century of two friends, the writer Jallez and politician Jerphanion, who provide an example in literature of Unanimism.

Volume 1: Men of Good Will

Book 1. The Sixth of October

Book 2. Quinette’s Crime

Volume 2: Passion’s Pilgrims

Book 3. Childhood’s Loves

Book 4. Eros in Paris

Volume 3: The Proud and the Meek

Book 5. The Proud

Book 6. The Meek

Volume 4: The World from Below

Book 7. The Lonely

Book 8. Provincial Interlude