Clerambault: The Story of an Independent Spirit During the War by Romain Rolland

"Clerambault: The Story of an Independent Spirit During the War" by Romain Rolland is a reflective narrative that features a central character named Agénor Clerambault, grappling with identity and individuality during the tumultuous times of war. Written in the early 20th century, the work explores profound themes of independence versus the collective conscience, capturing the struggles of the individual spirit amid societal pressures and the chaotic backdrop of conflict. Rolland's work is positioned as a mix of social commentary and philosophical musings, emphasizing the importance of personal judgment and the dangers of succumbing to mass thinking. At the start of the book, Clerambault is depicted in a serene setting, reading poetry to his family on a tranquil July evening, until news of impending war intrudes upon their happiness. His initial denial of the significance of such news reflects a deep-seated optimism and faith in humanity that gradually wears down as the reality of war sets in. The opening portion introduces his family dynamics, showcasing a close-knit but complicated relationship with his wife and children, providing a glimpse into the internal conflict he will face as the war disrupts their lives. As the narrative progresses, Clerambault will wrestle with the contradictions between his ideals of peace and freedom and the harsh realities that come with the call to arms, setting the stage for his evolution throughout the story. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

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About this eBook

Author Rolland, Romain, 1866-1944
Translator Miller, Katherine
Title Clerambault: The Story of an Independent Spirit During the War
Note Wikipedia page about this book: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cl%C3%A9rambault_(novel)
Credits Produced by Rick Niles, John Hagerson, Josephine Paolucci, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team
Reading Level Reading ease score: 74.7 (7th grade). Fairly easy to read.
Language English
LoC Class PQ: Language and Literatures: Romance literatures: French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese
Subject World War, 1914-1918 -- Fiction
Category Text
eBook-No. 10868
Release Date
Last Update Oct 28, 2024
Copyright Public domain in the USA.
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